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The Protestant Reformation In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

Indulgences

Martin Luther

Ninety-five Theses

Excommunication

Protestants

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During the Middle Ages, Catholicscould buy indulgences.

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Indulgences

• An indulgence was a pardon for committing a sin.

• A Catholic could purchase an indulgence to reduce his time in purgatory.

• Purgatory was a place where those who died were temporarily punished for their sins.

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Martin Lutherwas a

German priest.He was strongly

opposed tothe sale of

indulgences.

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Martin Luther

• Martin Luther was a Catholic priest.

• He called for reforms within the Roman Catholic Church.

• In 1517, he posted his ninety-five theses on a church door in Germany. He criticized the Church for indulgences.

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Martin Luther believed that faith alonecould save a person.

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Faith Alone

• Martin Luther questioned the Catholic Church’s power to save a man from Hell.

• He believed that only through personal faith in Jesus Christ could a person be saved.

• Luther challenged the power of the Roman Catholic Church.

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When Luther refused to recant hisstatements, the Pope excommunicated

him.

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Excommunication

• When Luther refused to recant his statements, the Pope excommunicated Luther.

• An excommunicated Catholic cannot participate fully in Church sacraments.

• It is the most serious penalty that the Church can inflict.

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Fortunately for Luther, German princesprotected him and he was able

to start his own church.

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German Princes

• German princes protected Luther because they were tired of the power of the Catholic Church.

• Given protection, Luther was not burned at the stake and was able to start his own church.

• Protestants were individuals who had protested against the power and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.

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The invention of the printing pressin 1455 by Johann Gutenberg helped

Luther. The printing press allowedbooks to be manufactured faster and

cheaper. Ideas spread.

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The Printing Press

• The printing press made it possible to manufacture books quickly.

• With increased production, books were cheaper and easier to acquire.

• Gutenberg’s invention helped Luther spread his ideas.

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Questions for Reflection:

• What were indulgences?• Why was Martin Luther opposed to the

sale of indulgences?• Why did Roman Catholic Church officials

respond to Luther’s ninety-five theses with the eventual excommunication of Luther?

• Why did German princes protect Luther?• How did the invention of the printing press

help Protestants?