1. The Protestant Reformation

2. I. Complaints about the Church
A. Priests didn’t know basic church teachings
B. Pope too involved in politics
C. Church too rich (one of richest institutions in Europe)

4. (Complaints, cont.) D. Indulgences
people paid $ to buy forgiveness for sins so they’ll spend less time in purgatory paying for their sins

5. II. Desiderius Erasmus
A. Dutch priest and writer that called for reform from within church
B. Church’s problems caused by lazy clergy

6. III. Martin Luther A. German priest B. Called for religious reform
C. 95 Theses – Oct. 31, 1517
1. nailed to church door
2. list of criticisms of church
a. indulgences bad
b. people didn’t need to give $ or
do charity work to get to
heaven. Belief & living by
Bible enough.

7. (cont) D. Bishops, Pope, & Holy Roman Emperor outraged
1. labeled heretic & excommunicated
2. called to appear for hearing; declared outlaw & banished
E. One noble agreed with Luther, helped him escape, & hid him

8. (Luther, cont.)
F. Caused split in church – those who agreed with Luther called Protestants (because they protest). (Luther didn’t intend for split, but it happened)
G. Protestants who followed Luther known as Lutherans

9. IV. Luther’s teachings A. “Priesthood of all believers” –
1. everyone could have a direct
relationship w/God – didn’t have
to go through priest
2. belief should be based on
Bible, not tradition
B. Translated New Testament into German; commoners could read for themselves
C. Wrote pamphlets, essays & songs about his ideas

10. Teachings (cont.)
D. Did not think church should be involved in politics.
1. German nobles liked and encouraged this idea
2. Lutheran, newly dominant church in Germany