The Reformation: Causes, Martin Luther, and 95 Thesis

1. The Reformation The European World

2. Focus Questions • What is reform? • How would you reform the organization of decision making at the H.F. High School?

3. Causes of the Reformation • 1500 - Renaissance emphasis on the secular and the individual challenged Church authority

4. Causes of the Reformation • 1500 - Renaissance emphasis on the secular and the individual challenged Church authority • printing press spread secular ideas

5. Causes of the Reformation • 1500 - Renaissance emphasis on the secular and the individual challenged Church authority • printing press spread secular ideas • German rulers resented the Popes’ attempts to control them • it was difficult for the Pope or Holy Roman Emperor to impose central authority

6. Causes of the Reformation • 1500 - Renaissance emphasis on the secular and the individual challenged Church authority • printing press spread secular ideas • German rulers resented the Popes’ attempts to control them • it was difficult for the Pope or Holy Roman Emperor to impose central authority • northern merchants resented paying Church taxes to Rome

7. Martin Luther • became a monk in 1505

8. Martin Luther • became a monk in 1505 • from 1512 until his death he taught scripture at the University of Wittenberg in the German state of Saxony

9. Martin Luther • became a monk in 1505 • from 1512 until his death he taught scripture at the University of Wittenberg in the German state of Saxony • wanted to be a good Christian, not to lead a religious revolution

10. Martin Luther • became a monk in 1505 • from 1512 until his death he taught scripture at the University of Wittenberg in the German state of Saxony • wanted to be a good Christian, not to lead a religious revolution • 1517 - decided to take a public stand against the actions of a friar named Johann Tetzel

11. Indulgences • a pardon which released a sinner from performing any penalty a priest might impose for sins • a “get out of Hell free” card

12. Johann Tetzel • a German Dominican friar

13. Johann Tetzel • a German Dominican friar • raising money to rebuild St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome by selling indulgences

14. Johann Tetzel • a German Dominican friar • raising money to rebuild St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome by selling indulgences • gave people the impression that buying indulgences could buy one’s way into heaven

15. The 95 Thesis • October 31, 1517 • Luther posted his theses (arguments) on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg • invited other scholars to debate him

16. The 95 Thesis • October 31, 1517 • Luther posted his theses (arguments) on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg • invited other scholars to debate him • someone copied Luther’s words and took them to a printer

17. The 95 Thesis • October 31, 1517 • Luther posted his theses (arguments) on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg • invited other scholars to debate him • someone copied Luther’s words and took them to a printer • quickly, Luther’s name became known all over Germany

18. Luther’s Three Main Ideas • people could win salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness • the Church taught that faith and “good works” were needed for salvation

19. Luther’s Three Main Ideas • people could win salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness • the Church taught that faith and “good works” were needed for salvation • all Church teachings should be clearly based on the words of the Bible • the pope and church traditions were false authorities

20. Luther’s Three Main Ideas • people could win salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness • the Church taught that faith and “good works” were needed for salvation • all Church teachings should be clearly based on the words of the Bible • the pope and church traditions were false authorities • all people with faith were equal • therefore, people did not need priests to interpret the Bible for them