1. U7LG2 – THE REFORMATION
In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:
Indulgences
Martin Luther
Ninety-five Theses
Excommunication
Protestants
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2. During the Middle Ages, Catholics
could buy indulgences.
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3. Indulgences An indulgence was a pardon for committing a sin.
A Catholic could purchase an indulgence to reduce his time in purgatory.
Purgatory was a place where those who died were temporarily punished for their sins.
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4. Martin Luther was a German priest. He was strongly opposed to
the sale of
indulgences.
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5. Martin Luther Martin Luther was a Catholic priest.
He called for reforms within the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1517, he posted his ninety-five theses on a church door in Germany. He criticized the Church for indulgences.
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6. Martin Luther believed that faith alone
could save a person.
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7. Faith Alone
Martin Luther questioned the Catholic Church’s power to save a man from Hell.
He believed that only through personal faith in Jesus Christ could a person be saved.
Luther challenged the power of the Roman Catholic Church.
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8. When Luther refused to recant his statements, the Pope excommunicated
him.
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9. Excommunication
When Luther refused to recant his statements, the Pope excommunicated Luther. (Jan. 1521)
An excommunicated Catholic cannot participate fully in Church sacraments.
It is the most serious penalty that the Church can inflict.
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10. Fortunately for Luther, German princes protected him and he was able
to start his own church. (Frederick of Saxony)
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11. German Princes
German princes protected Luther because they were tired of the power of the Catholic Church.
Given protection, Luther was not burned at the stake and was able to start his own church.
Protestants were individuals who had protested against the power and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.
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12. The invention of the printing press in 1455 by Johann Gutenberg helped
Luther. The printing press allowed
books to be manufactured faster and
cheaper. Ideas spread.
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13. The Printing Press
The printing press made it possible to manufacture books quickly.
With increased production, books were cheaper and easier to acquire.
Gutenberg’s invention helped Luther spread his ideas.

14. Questions for Reflection:
What were indulgences?
Why was Martin Luther opposed to the sale of indulgences?
Why did Roman Catholic Church officials respond to Luther’s ninety-five theses with the eventual excommunication of Luther?
Why did German princes protect Luther?
How did the invention of the printing press help Protestants?

15. Revolution
Luther gain support of German rulers, who took control of Catholic Church in their territories forming state churches, supervised by the government.
Luther replaced mass with Bible Reading, Preaching, & Song.
The doctrine became known as Lutheranism & churches Lutheran Church.
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