1. Martin Luther and his 95 Theses

2. Setting the Stage Many people began to criticize the Churches practices. Many felt they were too interested in worldly pursuit – wealth, political power. Popes fathered children, priests were poorly educated. By 1500, additional forces weakened the Church. Renaissance emphasis on humanism and the individual challenged Church authority. Around 1440, Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press. Why do you think this is important?

3. About Martin Luther 1483-1546 Parents wanted him to be a lawyer. Instead, became a monk and a teacher. Desired only to be a good Christian, not to lead a religious revolution. In 1517, Luther decided to take a public stand against the actions of a friar named Johann Tetzel. Tetzel raised money to rebuild a church by selling indulgences( a religious pardon). In response, he wrote 95 Theses (formal statements) and posted the statements on the door of a church. This led to a movement for religious reform…

4. Luther’s Teachings People could win salvation ONLY by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness All church teachings should be clearly based on the words of the bible. Both the pope and church traditions were false authorities. All people with faith are equal. Therefore, people did not need priests to interpret the Bible for them.