Martin Luther

 During the Middle Ages the Catholic Church dominated religious life  Critics argued the church was far too focused on gaining…  political power  wealth

 The Renaissance had focused on individuality and secular ideas  Gutenberg’s printing press had spread those secular beliefs  Rulers began to challenge the political power of the church  Germany was heavily divided  Merchants in the North resented having to pay taxes to the church in Rome

 Church full of corruption  Being a patron of the arts was $$$$$$  Lavish personal pleasures $$$$$$$  Wars $$$$$$$  Pope Alexander VI fathered several children  Secular v. Spiritual  Under-educated clergy  Clergy would drink, gamble & marry

 People began to hold higher standards for the clergy  They decided the Pope had no right to secular power  The Bible was the supreme power, not the clergy

  Monk  Teacher  Craftsman  Father of the Reformation  Claimed he just wanted to be a good Christian…not lead a rebellion.

 Luther spoke out against Friar Johann Tetzel  Tetzel was raising money for St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome by selling indulgences  Indulgence = A pardon from sin  They released sinners from a penalty imposed by a priest as punishment for sins

 Luther wrote 95 statements attacking the “pardon merchants”  10/31/1517 he posted these in Wittenberg  His words were copied and spread all over Germany

 Faith Alone  Bible is the word of God; God is supreme  All people are equal; they can interpret the Bible for themselves