The Protestant Reformation Church Organization Pope Cardinals Archbishops
The Protestant Reformation
Church Organization �Pope �Cardinals �Archbishops �Bishops �Priests �Monks/Nuns �Congregation
The Protestant Reformation �A series of events in the 1500 s that led to a new form of Christianity known as Protestantism. �Nearly ¼ of all Christians in the world today are Protestants. �Most of the churches right here in Morehead are Protestant.
Causes of the Reformation 1. ) Renaissance attitude of secularism (worldiness) -spirit of curiosity, improvement was valued. 2. ) Resentment of Church power and wealth -Political power, taxes, land ownership 3. ) Church abuses (corruption) Immorality (fornication, gambling, drunkeness) Ignorance (lack of education, illiteracy) Pluralism/Absenteeism (misuse of money, neglecting spiritual duties)
Martin Luther 1483 -1546 �From Germany, son of a copper miner �Lightning storm � 1505 - entered a monastery � 1507 - became an ordained priest � 1512 - became a professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg. �Struggled with anxiety over his salvation �“He who through faith is righteous shall live” �Began to disagree with Catholic Church teachings
Luther writes the 95 Theses �What prompted him? �The sale of indulgences (pardons for sins) � Remission, after death, of all or part of the punishment for sin � Replaced traditional act of penance (fasting, prayer, etc…) �Johann Tetzel – “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs” �Luther’s protests: � Unfair to the poor � Gave people false sense of salvation
95 Theses �Oct. 31, 1517: Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the door of the Church. �Wanted reform, not to break from the church. �Quickly reprinted in the vernacular ; spread quickly due to the printing press. �Luther’s ideas were so popular because of the environment of backlash that already existed. �His popularity and followers make him a huge threat in the eyes of the Church.
Luther’s Teachings �-What Luther wanted to change: �No Indulgences �No Confession �No Pilgrimages �No Prayers to saints �Simplify ritual of the mass, instead focus on sermon �Clergy should be able to marry
Martin Luther �Church officials asked him to recant; he refused �Summoned to appear at the Diet of Worms �Excommunicated and declared an outlaw �Protected by Frederic the Wise �Translated the New Testament into German during his year of hiding. �Some of his teachings had already been put into action = Lutherans – the first Protestant church. � 1555 - Peace of Augsburg
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