The Reformation
What was the Reformation?
A movement that challenged aspects of the Catholic Church and reshaped religion, politics, and identity in Europe.
What is nepotism in the context of the Catholic Church?
Giving Church positions to relatives regardless of their ability.
Where was Luther from?
Germany
Name one reason ordinary Christians became dissatisfied with the Catholic Church.
Church corruption, the sale of indulgences, misconduct by clergy, or the contrast between Church wealth and poverty.
In which language did Luther promote Bible reading and religious teaching?
The vernacular, or the language spoken by ordinary people.
Who is considered to be the leader of the Reformation?
Martin Luther.
What is pluralism in the context of the Catholic Church?
Holding several Church positions at the same time, potentially preventing proper service.
What was Luther's occupation?
Priest/theologian/translator/university professor
Which intellectual and cultural movement encouraged critical thinking and renewed interest in ancient texts?
The Renaissance.
What was Luther's opinion on the Pope?
Luther believed that the Pope was an illegitimate Church authority.
Describe the moment Martin Luther kick started the Reformation.
Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church in Germany.
What is simony?
Buying and selling Church offices, treating sacred roles as property.
What were Luther's 95 Theses?
A list of arguments criticizing aspects of Church theology, especially the misuse of indulgences.
How did the Renaissance encourage people to question Church teachings?
Scholars studied original Greek and Latin texts, encouraged critical thinking, and compared established teachings with early Christian sources.
What does Sola Fide mean?
Justification by faith alone.
In what year did Martin Luther publish his 95 Theses?
1517.
What was the sale of indulgences?
The practice of selling indulgences, which were connected to the removal of lingering spiritual punishment for sins that had already been forgiven.
What did Luther mean by Sola Scriptura?
The belief that Scripture alone is the highest authority for Christian truth.
Why did some kings and princes support the Reformation?
They wanted greater control over their lands and churches, resented sending wealth to Rome, and sought to reduce papal political influence.
Luther's beliefs led to the creatation of a new branch of Christianity... What is this branch called?
Protestantism.
What was Luther's main criticism of the Church's sale of indulgences?
That indulgences could be misused to exploit people and give false assurances about salvation.
Explain two ways that Church corruption contributed to dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church.
The contrast between wealthy clergy and poor ordinary people, clergy scandal, along with abuses such as nepotism, absenteeism, pluralism, simony, and the sale of indulgences.
What happened to Luther after the Diet of Worms?
Identify the four main categories of causes of the Reformation.
Church corruption, Church abuses, the Renaissance, and regional power.
Describe two differences between Luther's beliefs and the Catholic Church's position in the 1500s.
Scripture alone versus Scripture and Sacred Tradition, faith alone versus faith and works, vernacular worship versus Latin Mass, or two sacraments versus seven.