The Protestant Reformation

1. The Protestant Reformation Aim: Why was the Protestant Reformation a Turning Point in history?

2. Vocabulary • Indulgence – a letter from the Catholic Church that states your sins have been forgiven • Reform – to change for the better/put an end to mistakes or abuses • Salvation – forgiveness of sins (protection from being punished for them) • Predestination – the belief that certain people are chosen by God for salvation

3. Corruption in the church • By the late Middle Ages, the Church controlled just about everything • Church leaders were living fancy, extravagant lives • Raised taxes on people and charged them higher fees for services (like weddings, baptisms, etc.) to pay for that lavish lifestyle • Some clergy began to sell indulgences – forgiveness of sins committed • Many Christians had a problem with this!

4. Martin Luther • NOT MARTIN LUTHER KING!!!!! • A German monk named Martin Luther grew frustrated with the corruption of the church • In 1517, a priest asked for donations to help build a new church in Rome – promised indulgences to anyone who donated • This was the last straw- Luther decided to lead a revolt against these church abuses!

6. 95 Theses • Martin Luther believed the selling of indulgences was immoral, wasn’t in the Bible and that Christians could only be saved through their faith – not cash • He wrote a document, called the “95 Theses” listing all his arguments against the selling of indulgences and posted it on his local church • With the help of the newly invented printing press, the 95 Theses were copied and distributed all over Europe – and created a heated debate

8. Martin Luther wouldn’t step down • The church was furious, told him to take it all back, but he refused • In fact, he encouraged people to reject the Church, which many people did • Luther was excommunicated (kicked out of the church) and people were forbidden to follow him, but people still did • Called themselves Lutherans • Changed their name to Protestants (“protest”) • This was a new brand of Christianity

9. Reforms Martin Luther reformed many aspects of the Christian Church: • Ended corruption of the church • Believed faith alone (not good deeds or money) would get you into heaven • Said only the Bible (not the Pope or other leaders) was the source of religious truth • Believed all Christians had equal access to God, and that nobody was holier than anyone else

10. John Calvin • Another priest who followed Martin Luther • Started his own branch of Christianity: Calvinism • Also believed that faith in God was the path to salvation • Believed the world was full of 2 people: saints and sinners, and that God had already chosen who was who (predestination) • Calvinists believed they were “chosen by God” • Stressed hard work ethic, , discipline, thrift, honesty and morality –very strict lifestyle

12. Counterreformation • In response to these new reforms, the Catholic Church decided to make some changes themselves • Promised to end corruption, return to traditional teachings and to strengthen its hold on followers

13. Long-term impact • After the 1500’s, Europeans no longer belonged to the same Church • This created strong divides between communities • The power of the Catholic Church was extremely weakened • Kings and Queens stepped in to take over the leadership role the church used to have

15. End • Please take your quiz and fill out your Review Sheet on the Protestant Reformation! 