Renaissance - 4

Wittenberg, GermanyJohann Tetzel offered

indulgences to any Christian who contributed money for the rebuilding of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome

Assured entrance to heaven

95 ThesesCould peasants not

get into heaven?Martin Luther

construct 95 Theses (arguments) against indulgences

Posted on the door of Wittenberg’s All Saints Church

95 ThesesIndulgences had no

basis in the BiblePope had no

authority to release souls from purgatory

Christians could be saved only through faith

The Church95 Theses spreadCall on Luther to

recant his viewsDeclines

Urges folks to reject the authority of Rome

ConsequencesPope Leo X

excommunicates Luther

Charles V (Roman emperor), declares Luther an outlawHowever, Luther

was regarded as a hero to thousands

Luther’s TeachingsPage 426Ordinary people to

read the BibleEqual access to GodBanned indulgences,

confession, pilgrimages, and prayers to saints

Clergy to marryEmphasized the

sermon

LutheransIdeas spread quicklyAdopted “Protestant”

for those who protested papal authority

Sweeping change through Germany

Peace of Augsburg1555Allowed each prince

to decide which religion – Catholic or Lutheran – would be followed

John CalvinExplained how to

organize and run a Protestant church

Preached predestination – idea that God had long ago determined who would gain salvation

CalvinistsThe world had two

people – Saint and Sinners

Calvinists tried to live like saints