Martin Luther Posting of the NinetyFive Theses on

Martin Luther Posting of the Ninety-Five Theses on the Church in Wittenberg 10/31/1517

Martin Luther • Monk and a teacher • Taught scripture at University of Wittenberg • Upset by actions of friar Johann Tetzel

Causes for Reformation • Social • Political • Economic • Religious

Social Causes for Reformation • Renaissance values of humanism and secularism led people to question the Church • Printing press helped spread criticism and critical ideas about the Church

Political Causes for Reformation • Powerful monarchs challenged the Church as the supreme power in Europe • Many leaders viewed the pope as a foreign ruler and challenged his authority

Economic Causes for Reformation • European princes and kings were jealous of Church’s wealth • Merchants and others resented having to pay taxes to the Church

Religious Causes for Reformation • Some Church leaders had become worldly and corrupt • Many people found Church practices such as the sale of indulgences unacceptable – Indulgences were pardons that released a sinner from performing the penalty a priest imposed for sins.

Ninety-Five Theses • 10/31/1517 Halloween! • Luther posts his Ninety-Five Theses on the Church in Wittenberg as a response to the problems he found with the Church • He wanted other scholars to debate him • There was no intent to create a new religion… he simply wanted to attack the “pardon merchants” within the Church

Luther’s Teachings • People could achieve salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness (Good works were not needed) • All Church teachings should be based clearly on the words of the Bible • All people with faith are equal… therefore there was no need for priests to interpret the Bible for people

Results that Followed • • • Excommunication Formation of Lutherans Peasants revolted in Europe Political/Religious upheaval in Europe Protestantism

Excommunication • 1520 Pope Leo X threatened Luther with excommunication (banishment from the Church) • Luther did not retract his statements or ask forgiveness from Pope Leo X and was then excommunicated

Edict of Worms • 1521 Luther was ordered to stand trial for or recant his statements. • Luther again refused and the Edict of Worms was made by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V declaring Luther an outlaw and a heretic • 1522 Lutherans were now practicing the teachings of Luther in Wittenberg

Peasants Revolt • 1524 - Luther’s ideas were applied to society (Freedoms/Equality) • Peasants demanded an end to serfdom and destroyed and pillaged monasteries • Luther was horrified and supported the princes in putting down the revolt • 100, 000 people died • Others felt alienated and rejected Luther as a leader

German Princes at War • Many German princes supported Luther • This was a way for many to free themselves from the rule of Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor • 1529 an agreement was signed by those who supported the Pope… others supported Luther and protested becoming known as Protestants