Martin Luther and His Complaint against the Church Church History, Unit 4

At the start of the fifteenth century, the Church was in a volatile predicament, resulting from questionable practices that had become far too commonplace. Chief among these was the practice of selling indulgences. Image in public domain

What is an indulgence? Indulgences were originally intended to offer the Christian faithful a way to do something good as penance for sins. For example, making a spiritual pilgrimage can merit an indulgence. Image in public domain

What is an indulgence? (continued) A partial indulgence reduces the time of purification or punishment that one otherwise will suffer in Purgatory in death. A plenary indulgence removes or eliminates this time of purification altogether. (Plenary means “complete” or “absolute.”) The Catholic Church today still grants indulgences to encourage us to serve the good of others, go on pilgrimages, participate in Scripture study or special occasions of prayer, and engage in other faith-filled practices. Image in public domain

In the early 1500s, regrettably, indulgences became seen as a magical cure for personal sins rather than a way to promote a genuine Christian lifestyle. During the Renaissance, indulgences could be bought and sold, not simply earned through good works and prayer. Image in public domain

Among some Church members, the selling of indulgences became a usual practice. The most infamous seller of indulgences was a Dominican friar named Johan Tetzel. Friar Tetzel generated funds for several papal building projects, including Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Image in public domain

Who was Martin Luther? lived from 1483 to 1546 Augustinian priest a scholar who studied the Church Fathers and Sacred Scripture Image in public domain

Who was Martin Luther? (continued) Luther believed that only faith in the love and mercy of God can justify sinners. Justification is the process by which God frees us from sin and sanctifies us. Luther’s belief in justification through faith alone differed greatly from the general Christian population’s exaggeratedly pious beliefs and practices, which at times were based in superstition rather than genuine faith. Image in public domain

In October 1517 Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. The Ninety-five Theses protested the sale of indulgences and outlined Luther’s teaching on justification by faith alone. Luther wanted to invite a debate between theologians, not challenge the Church. Instead this document was the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. Image in public domain

When called to Rome to account for his teachings, Luther refused to go and instead elaborated on his doctrine: Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone transmits Revelation (not Scripture and Tradition combined) Sola fide—Humankind is justified by faith alone (not by faith and good works together) Sola gratia—Salvation comes through divine grace alone, an unearned gift from God (not through our own merit or our cooperation with God’s grace) Image in public domain

How did the Church respond to Luther? Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther in 1521 after Luther refused to recant his proposals. However, Leo X also issued a document to clarify the purpose of indulgences, and eventually the selling of indulgences stopped as a result. Luther’s concerns about the abuse of indulgences were incorporated into the teaching of the Council of Trent, nearly thirty years after Luther proposed his Ninety-five Theses. Teacher Note: Advise the students that on June 25, 1998, the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church signed a “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification” in which a concensus of mutual understanding on the doctrine of justification was achieved: “Together we confess: By grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works.” (Paragraph 11). For further information, search the Vatican Web site by the title of this document. Image in public domain