History Test On Martin Luther And Pope Leo XIII

Who was Martin Luther?

1483–1546): German monk, priest, and theology professor at the University of Wittenberg.

Who was Pope Leo X

(Giovanni de' Medici): Renaissance pope who authorized the sale of indulgences to fund the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica.

Who was Emperor Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor who summoned Luther to the Diet of Worms and declared him an outlaw.

Who was Frederick the Wise?

German prince who protected Luther by hiding him at Wartburg Castle.

What happened in 1505

Luther vows to become an Augustinian monk after surviving a violent lightning storm.

What happened in October 31, 1517

Luther nails the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church, challenging the sale of indulgences.

What happened in 1520

Pope Leo X issues the papal bull Exsurge Domine, demanding Luther recant 41 of his theses. Luther publicly burns the bull.

What happened in 1521

The Diet of Worms. Luther refuses to recant ("Here I stand, I can do no other"). The Edict of Worms declares him a heretic and outlaw.

What happened in 1524-1525

The German Peasants' War. Peasants cite Christian freedom to revolt; Luther condemns the violence and urges princes to crush the rebellion (~100,000 killed).(By the princes)

What happened in 1555

Peace of Augsburg allows German rulers to choose either Catholicism or Lutheranism for their state.

Justification by Faith Alone

(Sola fidei): Salvation is a free gift through God's grace, received by faith, not earned through good works, rituals, or purchasing indulgences.

Scripture Alone

(Sola scriptura): The Bible is the ultimate spiritual authority—not the Pope or Church councils.

Priesthood of All Believers:

All baptized Christians have direct access to God without needing a hierarchical priesthood as an intermediary.

Rejections

Luther rejected papal infallibility, the treasury of merits, and most sacraments except baptism and the Eucharist.

Pope Leo X (1513–1521) — The Reformation Era:

Background

Member of the wealthy Medici family of Florence; a major Renaissance patron of the arts.

Pope Leo X (1513–1521) — The Reformation Era:

Conflict with Luther

Needed money for St. Peter's Basilica and approved aggressive indulgence preaching (such as by Johann Tetzel).n

Pope Leo X (1513–1521) — The Reformation Era:

Action

Excommunicated Luther in 1521 after dismissing the movement as a minor squabble.

Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) — The Modern / Industrial Era:

Background

Served as pope centuries later during the height of the Industrial Revolution.

Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) — The Modern / Industrial Era:

Key Document:

Wrote Rerum Novarum ("On the Condition of Labor") in 1891.

Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) — The Modern / Industrial Era:

Core Teachings

Addressed the massive gap between rich industrialists and poor factory workers. He defended private property rights while fiercely rejecting socialism, advocated for a living wage, safe working conditions, and the right of workers to form unions. This text became the cornerstone of Modern Catholic Social Teaching.