CAUSES OF THE REFORMATION

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2 CAUSES OF THE REFORMATION The Renaissance caused people to start thinking for themselves Renaissance: period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages conventionally characterized by a renewed interest in Classical scholarship and values. Witnessed the discovery and exploration of new continents, The study of astronomy, The decline of the feudal system, The growth of commerce, The invention of paper, printing, the mariner s compass, and gunpowder. Primarily a time of the revival of Classical learning and wisdom after a long period of cultural decline and stagnation.

3 People wanted to read and understand the bible however they wanted. The founder of the Reformation, Martin Luther, felt the Catholic Church was not interpreting the bible correctly. People began to adopt Luther s way of thinking. ABOUT THE REFORMATION The Protestant Reformation was a 16th century religious reform movement. Founded by a German Catholic monk, Martin Luther. Began in 1517 when Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany.

4 Here people are paying indulgences to the Church. Indulgence: Pardons issued by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church that could reduce a soul's time in purgatory. People paid for these pardons at the time.

5 INDULGENCES The Church taught it could grant indulgences (time of in Purgatory) by borrowing from the treasury of merits, or graces left from the sacrifice of Christ and the saints. During Luther s time, abuses had crept into this practice. Indulgences were being sold to raise money for the rebuilding of St. Peter s Basilica in Rome. And to pay for the debts of some of the bishops. Luther s disgust over this practice was one of the major reasons for his 95 Theses and break from the Catholic Church.

6 The 95 Theses was posted on October 31, 1517 Posted on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany Stated: People could only gain salvation through belief in God s gift of forgiveness. All Church teachings must be based on the words of the bible only. Catholic Church traditions were false. Had no authority. All people s faith was equal therefore people had no need for priests.

7 BACKGROUND INFORMATION At the time, in Germany, it was common to debate political and social issues publically People had become angry about the increasing wealth of the Catholic Church and its seeming disregard for the people. People began to question the authority of the Church; Is what the Church teaches correct? Should we not only trust the words of scripture? People desired to have bibles written not in Latin, but in their own languages (vernacular).

8 Martin Luther Father of Protestantism Born in Germany Catholic monk who believed the Catholic Church was guilty of illegal practices He had a terribly guilty conscience Luther believed: Faith + Good Works = Better life on earth Catholic Church taught: Faith + Good Works = Entrance to Heaven

9 LUTHERAN CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH Priesthood of all No Religious Life (Orders) Married Clergy No Pope A National Church 2 Sacraments only: Baptism and Eucharist No Mass Diff. understanding of Real Presence in the Eucharist Bible and service in vernacular Stress on preaching: Sola Scriptura Good works over traditional practices, i.e. fasting. Hierarchical Priesthood Religious Life/Orders Celibate Clergy Authority of Pope and Bishops Universal Church 7 Sacraments Mass Christ actually present in the Eucharist Services/Mass in Latin Scripture and Tradition Faith AND Good Works

10 LUTHERAN CHURCH CATHOLIC CHURCH Priesthood of all No Religious FAITH Life ALONE (Orders) Married Clergy No Pope A National Church 2 Sacraments only: Baptism and Eucharist GRACE ALONE No Mass Diff. understanding of Real Presence in the Eucharist Bible and service in vernacular SCRIPTURE ALONE Stress on preaching: Sola Scriptura Good works over traditional practices, i.e. fasting. Hierarchical Priesthood Religious Life/Orders Celibate Clergy Authority of Pope and Bishops Universal Church 7 Sacraments Mass FAITH & WORKS Christ actually present in the Eucharist Services/Mass in Latin Scripture and Tradition Faith AND Good Works SCRIPTURE & TRADITION PAPAL AUTHORITY