Unit 5 Part 1: The Reformation: Humanism, Corruption, and the Lutheran Challenge

Part 1 Doc: What power did the Catholic Church claim over people’s lives, and why did this contribute to growing criticism?

Claimed enormous power by asserting authority over salvation and access to heaven . This led to criticism because, over time, leaders appeared to focus more on wealth, politics, and control than on providing spiritual guidance

Part 1 Doc: What was Christian humanism , and how did it differ from a complete rejection of the Church?

A movement that blended Renaissance humanism with traditional Christian beliefs , emphasizing that humans could improve through education and reason. It differed from a complete rejection because its goal was reform, not rebellion ; followers sought to change the Church from within and return it to its original spiritual mission.

Part 1 Doc: Why did Erasmus’s work In Praise of Folly and his Greek New Testament help pave the way for the Reformation?

In Praise of Folly : He used satire to mock greedy clergy, ignorant monks, and leaders who valued power over piety. Greek New Testament : By publishing this, he encouraged Christians to read Scripture for themselves .

Impact : These works weakened "unquestioned obedience" to Church authority by promoting individual understanding

Part 1 Doc: What complaints about the clergy and Church practices showed the need for reform?

Education : Many parish priests were poorly educated and could not read Latin or explain teachings. Absenteeism : Priests often held multiple offices or rarely visited their parishes.

Corruption : Leaders engaged in immoral behavior and simony (buying and selling Church offices).

Indulgences : The sale of indulgences to fund projects like St. Peter’s Basilica made salvation seem like a financial transaction rather than a matter of faith

 Part 1 Doc: Who was Martin Luther, and what role did he play in the Reformation?

A German monk and theology professor who believed salvation came through faith alone rather than rituals or payments.

95 Theses : In 1517, he posted these to publicly challenge the saleof indulgences and the Church's power over salvation.

The Papacy : He rejected the idea that the pope was the final source of truth, arguing that the Bible alone should guide faith.

Sacraments : He questioned the sacramental system, insisting only those supported by the Bible (like baptism and communion) were valid.

Part 1 Doc: What happened to Luther at the Diet of Worms, and how did the Edict of Worms attempt to stop the spread of his ideas?

Luther was ordered to renounce his writings, but he refused, stating he could not go against his conscience or Scripture. In response, the Emperor issued the Edict of Worms , which declared Luther an outlaw and officially banned all of his writings.

Part 1 Doc: Why was Luther able to survive and continue his work despite being declared an outlaw?

Luther was protected by Frederick the Wise , a powerful German prince who hid him in Wartburg Castle for nearly a year. He also had the support of other German princes who shared his opposition to Church control for both religious and political reasons.

Part 1 Doc: How did Luther’s personal life reflect his break from Catholic Church traditions, and why was this significant for Protestant ideas?

Luther rejected the requirement of clerical celibacy by marrying a former nun, Katharina von Bora. This was significant because it symbolized a rejection of traditional Church rules and established the Protestant idea that religious leaders could lead ordinary family lives .

Part 2 LM: What was the primary goal of Christian humanists during the late 1400s and early 1500s?

Christian humanists sought to reform the Catholic Church from within rather than through rebellion. They aimed to return the Church to its original spiritual mission by emphasizing education, reason, and the study of early Christian texts.

Part 2 LM:How did Desiderius Erasmus contribute to the atmosphere of reform without engaging in open revolt?

Erasmus used satire in works like In Praise of Folly to mock corrupt clergy and leaders who prioritized power over piety. He also published a Greek edition of the New Testament to encourage individuals to read and understand Scripture for themselves.

Part 2 LM: Identify two specific complaints regarding the conduct and qualifications of local parish priests.

Many parish priests were poorly educated, often unable to read Latin or properly explain Church teachings to their followers. Additionally, many practiced absenteeism, holding multiple offices at once and rarely visiting the believers they were meant to guide.

Part 2 LM: What was the practice of "simony," and why was it criticized?

Simony was the corrupt practice of buying and selling Church offices. It was criticized because it allowed individuals to gain positions of power through wealth or family connections rather than through genuine religious devotion.

Part 2 LM:For what specific project was the Church raising money through the sale of indulgences in the early 1500s?

By the early 1500s, indulgences were being sold to fund massive Church building projects. Most notably, the money was used for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Part 2 LM: What was Martin Luther’s central conclusion regarding how an individual achieves salvation?

Luther concluded that salvation came through faith alone as a gift from God. He argued that it could not be earned or purchased through good works, indulgences, or participating in specific Church rituals.

Part 2 LM:What was the original intention of Martin Luther when he posted the 95 Theses in 1517?

Luther’s original goal was not to break away from the Catholic Church but to spark a scholarly debate. He intended to encourage reform by publicly questioning the Church's claims about its power over salvation and the sale of indulgences.

Part 2 LM: According to Luther, what was the only valid source of Christian truth, and how did this challenge the Church?

Luther argued that the Bible alone should guide faith and religious practice, placing Scripture above the authority of the pope and Church tradition. This directly attacked the foundation of Catholic power by rejecting the papacy as the final source of truth.

Part 2 LM: What was the outcome of the Diet of Worms regarding Martin Luther’s legal status?

After Luther refused to renounce his writings, the Holy Roman Emperor issued the Edict of Worms. This decree declared Luther an outlaw, banned all of his writings, and authorized his punishment.

Part 2 LM: In what way did Martin Luther’s marriage to Katharina von Bora represent a shift in religious social norms?

By marrying a former nun, Luther rejected the Catholic requirement of clerical celibacy. This act established the Protestant idea that religious leaders could lead ordinary family lives and visible social lives outside of traditional Church rules.

Part 3 Key terms: 95 Theses

A list of arguments posted by Martin Luther in 1517 criticizing the sale of indulgences and questioning Church authority over salvation.

Part 3 Key terms: Christian Humanism

A Renaissance movement blending humanism with Christian beliefs, emphasizing moral improvement through education and a return to original religious texts.

Part 3 Key terms: Clerical Celibacy

The requirement that Church clergy remain unmarried; a tradition rejected by Martin Luther and other reformers.

Part 3 Key terms: Diet of Worms

A 1521 assembly where Martin Luther was ordered by the Holy Roman Emperor to renounce his writings; he famously refused.

Part 3 Key terms: Edict of Worms

An official decree that declared Martin Luther an outlaw and banned his writings throughout the Holy Roman Empire.

Part 3 Key terms: Excommunication

A formal act by the Pope to cut an individual off from the Church; Martin Luther was excommunicated by Pope Leo X.

Part 3 Key terms: Frederick the Wise

A powerful German prince of Saxony who protected Martin Luther from the Holy Roman Emperor by hiding him in Wartburg Castle.

Part 3 Key terms: In Praise of Folly

A famous satirical work by Desiderius Erasmus that mocked the greed and ignorance of the clergy and Church leaders.

Part 3 Key terms: Indulgences

Payments made to the Church that were claimed to grant forgiveness for sins or release souls from punishment.

Part 3 Key terms: Lutheranism

The branch of Christianity that developed from Luther's ideas, focusing on salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the sole religious authority.

Part 3 Key terms: Papacy

The office and authority of the pope, which Luther challenged as being secondary to the authority of the Bible.

Part 3 Key terms: Sacraments

Christian religious rites; Luther questioned the Catholic sacramental system, accepting only those he felt were supported by the Bible, such as baptism and communion.

Part 3 Key terms: Simony

The corrupt practice of buying and selling Church offices or positions.

Part 3 Key terms: St. Peter’s Basilica

The major Church project in Rome for which the sale of indulgences was used to provide funding.