biblical studies year 12 task 1

Renaissance

the beginning, a new discovery of old knowledge

16th century catholic church

dominated European civilisation, both politically and religiously

Pope

the head of the church, considered the voice of God (had more authority than the bible)

The Bible

only in Latin and read by the priest (it was too sacred for a common person to read)

Catholic hierarchy

monks/nuns, priests, bishops, cardnials, pope

Rome

seat of power for the church and seen as the holy place

Monks

took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to their leaders (required to perform manual labour and were forbidden to own property

Purgatory

the place of temporary punishment where, according to Catholic belief, souls go to work off their sins until they can reach heaven

Martin Luther

was studying to become a lawyer when he had a near death experience and pledged himself to God to become a monk, became a professor in Wittenburg and spread ideas through the printing press

Pope Leo X

aimed to rebuild St Peter’s Basilica, borrowed and spent money very freely causing a lot of debt causing him to sell indulgences to fund the project

Indulgences

pieces of paper signed by the Pope and could be bought to guarantee less time in purgatory for oneself or family member

Relics

pieces of religious paraphernalia which were supposed to grant you special access to God

John Tetzel

began his work as a friar and preacher, but sold indulgences through fear and exaggeration

95 Theses

a list of Martin Luther’s criticisms of the Church (including criticism of relics and the selling of indulgences)

Heresy

an idea that goes against the teaching of the Church (could get excommunicated)

Recant

to take back something said previously

Prince Frederick of Saxony

local prince who ruled the area that Martin Luther lived (funding Luther’s position at university)

Andreas Karlastad

a teacher of theology at Wittenburg university, a supporter of Luther

Johann Von Stauptiz

supporter of Luther, sent him to study the Bible in Wittenburg, protected Luther from the pope and encouraged him

Inquisition

a powerful and ruthless group set up by the medieval roman catholic church to find heretics and make them confess of recant

Girolamo Aleander

tasked with inquiring into Luther’s heresy and bringing him to trial

Cardinal Cajetan

tasked with inquiring into Luther’s heresy and bringing him to trial

Charles V

head of the Holy Roman Empire, in charge of Luther’s trial

Katharina von Bora

The wife of Martin Luther

Sola Gratia translation

Grace Alone

Sola Gratia definition

Salvation is all God’s initiative. We don’t ‘cooperate’ with God’s effort

Sola Christi translation

Christ alone

Sola Christi definition

Forgiveness can be found directly from Jesus. Don’t need to go through a priest or a church ritual

Sola Scriptura translation

Scripture alone

Sola Scriptura definition

The truth about God is found in the Bible which anyone can access. Church tradition and teaching should never contradict the Bible

Sola fide translation

Faith alone

Sola fide definition

Our response to God’s offer of salvation is to trust (’have faith’) in God’s promises. We don’t need to receive sacraments or participate in church rituals

Cardinal

a leading dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church nominated by the pope

Saint

a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian place as being in heaven after death

Justification

the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God

Transubstantiation

the change by which the substance of bread and wine becomes Christ’s real presence

Christendom

the worldwide body or society of Christians

Ex-communication

to be cut off from communication with a church

Mass

the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church

Heretic

a person who differs in opinion form established religious dogma

The 95 Theses

detailed Luther’s opinions about the teachings of the Christian Scripture and practises of the Roman Catholic Church

Sola Deo Gloria translation

God’s glory alone

Sola Deo Gloria definition

the work/life was produced for the sake of celebrating God’s glory alone