3 - Martin Luther - HIS640 Notes

Indulgences

Payments made to the Church to reduce punishment for sins.

95 Theses

A list of arguments against the sale of indulgences written by Martin Luther.

Purgatory

A state of purification for souls who have died in grace but still need to be purified before entering heaven.

Reformation

A movement in the 16th century that led to the establishment of Protestant churches and significant changes within the Catholic Church.

Martin Luther

A German monk and theologian who initiated the Reformation by challenging the Catholic Church's practices.

Sola Scriptura

A doctrine which states that scripture alone is the authority in matters of faith and practice.

Transubstantiation

The belief that the bread and wine used in the Eucharist become the body and blood of Christ.

Wittenberg Castle

The location where Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses, sparking the Reformation.

Johann Tetzel

A Dominican friar known for selling indulgences in Germany; he became a key figure in Luther's opposition.

Diet of Worms

An assembly of the Holy Roman Empire in 1521 where Martin Luther was called to recant his writings but refused.

Excommunication

The formal removal from membership in the Church, which was imposed on Luther by Pope Leo X.

Evangelical

A term referring to the emphasis on presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ and being born again through faith.

John Wycliffe

An English reformer who preceded Luther and criticized the Church's practices, advocating for translation of the Bible into English.

Jan Hus

A Czech reformer whose teachings influenced Martin Luther and who was executed for heresy.

The Tower Experience

A moment in late 1518 when Luther experienced a profound revelation about salvation, leading to his break with the Catholic Church.

Augsburg Confession

A primary confession of faith for the Lutheran Church presented in 1530 that emphasizes justification by faith.

The Holy Spirit

The third person of the Trinity, whose role includes guiding believers and bringing about personal faith.

Faith

A personal trust in God and acceptance of divine grace, according to Luther's theology.

Communal Worship

Group practices of faith and rituals shared by members of a community or congregation.

The Printing Press

A technology that allowed for the mass production of texts, crucial for disseminating Reformation ideas.

Hierarchy of the Church

The structured leadership of the Church, including positions such as bishops and the pope.

The Babylonian Captivity of the Church

A term used by Luther to describe the Church's captivity and moral failure under papal authority.

Sola Fide

The doctrine that faith alone is sufficient for salvation.

Ecclesiastical Authority

The power held by church leaders to govern the church and its members.

Antisemitism

Prejudice against or hatred of Jews, evident in some of Luther’s writings.