MARTIN LUTHER &

THE REFORMATION

POWER OF THE CHURCH

• Christianity was the unifying force in Europe during

the Middle Ages.

• After the Catholic-Orthodox split (1054 AD), Catholic

Christianity dominated life in most of Europe.

• The power of the Pope and Church continued to

grow through the Middle Ages.

“PROBLEMS” WITH THE CHURCH

• 1300s – problems with the Papacy (office of Pope)

– French King kidnaps Pope, Pope dies

– New Pope was moved to Avignon (France)

– 1378: Trying to move Pope back to Italy, another Pope is

named. Then a 3rd. Which Pope to follow?

– 1414: Council of Constance ends the split ... only 1 Pope.

• Simony – buying/selling church positions

• Indulgences – buying items that bring “forgiveness“

• Lay investiture – Kings/others (with no church authority)

appointed clergy

• Some clergy had children, couldn’t read/write, etc.

• Kings didn’t like church donations going only to Rome

ATTEMPTS TO REFORM

• John Wycliffe – English philosopher/preacher;

opposed authority of the Pope; wanted Bible in

common language; died, body exhumed, burned

• Jan Hus – Czech priest in early 1400s; opposed

indulgences; was burned at the stake

MARTIN LUTHER

• 1483-1546

• Born in Germany

• After near-death experience, became a monk

• Taught and preached in Wittenberg

• Opposed the sale of indulgences as a way to

“buy your way to heaven”

• Wrote 95 Theses – problems he had with the

Church

• This “act” started the Protestant Reformation

LUTHER’S IDEAS

Pope, Priests help

interpret Bible

Individuals interpret

– no need for priest

Interpretation

of the Bible

Bible, religious

tradition & Pope

BibleAuthority

by faith & good

works

by FAITH aloneSalvation

Catholic beliefsLuther’s beliefs

CHURCH REACTION

• Eventually, the Church saw Luther not as a

rebellious monk, but as a real threat to the Church

• When Pope Leo X demanded that he take back

his complaints, Martin Luther refused

• For this, he was excommunicated

• The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, put Luther

on trial. In the Edict of Worms, Luther was

declared an outlaw and a heretic

• Luther was “kidnapped” and hidden by a German

prince, to keep him safe

LUTHERANISM

• While in hiding, Martin Luther translated the Bible

into German

• Returning from hiding, he found his teachings being

followed by many

• Luther decided to form a separate religion –

Lutheranism

• Germans considered Luther a hero

• German peasants followed this “rebellious” spirit by

rebelling against serfdom – Luther opposed them

• Many felt betrayed and turned against Luther

RELIGIOUS WARS• Many Princes supported Luther, while others were

loyal to the Pope

• Those who opposed the Pope, signed a protest

against him and were labeled “Protestants”, or

those opposed to the Catholic Church

• Charles V rallied the pro-Catholic forces against

the Protestant forces

• After defeating the Protestants, Charles V could

not force them to come back to the Church

• The Peace of Augsburg (1555) allowed Princes to

choose the religion for their domain