Protestant Reformation Dbq

The Protestant Reformation, known simply as “The Reformation,” began in 1517 with Martin Luther’s publication of the 95 Theses. Major players in this pivotal point in European history included Christian humanists such as Desiderius Erasmus, the Kings of France and England, the Holy Roman Emperors and at the center of it all; the Catholic Church. Luther’s publication of the 95 Theses, its’ rapid dissemination due to the technological advance of the printing press (1440), and a European population of lay Christians, Royalty, and Clergy alike primed to take on the excess and singular religious hold of the Catholic Church, created a firestorm of change that swept throughout Europe and significantly changed the practices of the Catholic Church. According to a current publication of PBS.org, Martin Luther “plunged a knife into the heart of an empire that had ruled for a thousand years, and set in motion a train of revolution, war and conflict that would reshape Western civilization, and lift it out of the Dark Ages.”

The Protestant Reformation (1517 to 1648) was a time when the Catholic Church was very corrupt and and Martin Luther wanted to break away from Catholicism. It started in the Medieval Times when indulgences* were prominent in churches. The Printing Press and Martin Luther 95 Thesis contributed with the Protestant Reformation in many ways including, It made information more accessible, wake up call to the people.

November 9th 1518, Pope Leo X announced that Luther's writings conflicted with the church and then in July 1520, issued a papal bull saying Luther's Propositions were heretical and gave him 120 days to recant in Rome. Luther refused. Later in January 3rd, 1521 Pope excommunicated Luther from the Catholic Church. This was also the year he returned to Wittenberg, here the reform movement had grown and it was no longer a theological cause, it was now political. With other leaders stepping up to lead the rebellion known as Peasants' War, which moved across Germany. His writing caused the church to fractionalize, hence sparking the Protestant Reformation. Central teachings on the bible being the central source of religious authority shaped the core of Protestantism, as well as how salvation can be reached not through deeds but through faith. As you can see Luther is a controversial figure as he has taken on radical positions such as the pronouncement against dews and his writings led to religious reform and

Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation with the 95 Theses. The 95 Theses is a work of different criticisms against the Catholic Church. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Church. It consisted of judgements of the Church, like selling indulgences is sinful, indulgences have no power to remit sin, denunciation of the pope and the wealth of the church, and it was intended for church leaders not the common people. These 95 Theses simulated discussions amongst the university intellectuals, and was widely published and read by clergy and lay people. Many people did not take Luther’s acts

The Reformation ended the unity imposed by medieval Christianity and, in the eyes of many historians, signaled the beginning of the modern era. A weakening of the old order was already under way in Northern Europe, as evidenced by the emergence of thriving new cities and a determined middle class. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed a hand written document to the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg entitled, “Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and efficacy of Indulgence,” which is better known today as “Martin Luther’s Ninety Five Thesis.” It sparked a theological contest that fueled the Reformation and subsequently resulted in the birth of Protestantism and the Lutheran, Reformed, and Anabaptist traditions within Christianity. The 95 Theses were quickly translated into German, widely copied and printed. They had widespread throughout Germany within two weeks and within two months in Europe. This was one of the first events in history that was profoundly affected by the printing press, which made the distribution of documents and ideas easier and more

In October of 1517 as a direct response to the selling of indulgences, Luther would post his soon to be famous 95 Theses onto the front door of Wittenburg Cathedral, signaling the beginning of a revolution. This document represented a personal manifesto of everything Luther felt was wrong about the Catholic Church, including the selling of indulgences. Luther’s Theses would quickly become extremely popular selling 50,000 copies in its first three weeks. While Luther’s monastic overseers strongly remained he stay silent Luther remained firm in his beliefs after being challenged to a debate by a fellow religious expert John Eck. During the debate Luther boldly claimed that the Pope himself was totally unnecessary. By 1520 Luther had gone all in on his claims, publishing pamphlets about his new ideas. Within these pamphlets he stated, “it is pure invention that pope, bishops, priests and monks are to be called the spiritual estate” (Rogers

Martin Luther revolutionized the Religion during the 1500’s during the time of the Renaissance. He was a Catholic Monk in Germany during this time and witnessed the corruption in the Catholic Church. At this time the Catholic Church’s desire for wealth was selling indulgences during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Luther was also called to The Diet of Worms, which is a council. Even though Martin Luther was an impact to Christianity he was fed up with the corruption within the Catholic Church because of this Martin Luther started his own religion, Lutheranism.

The reason why the Protestant Reformation was because the entire country didn’t believe in one religion. You could say that the religions were more of a city to city way of doing it. While in countries like Italy, where the entire country has one religion. It is easier to protest in a small city, while in one united country where the protestor would be denied. Also the Church had less power in these scattered cities. This is why it would be so hard to start the Protestant Reformation in a place like France or

Many reforms swept across Europe during the 16th century. One of them was started by Martin Luther, a Christian theologian and Augustinian monk. Luther was motivated by religious determination. It all started in 1577, when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses against the sale of indulgences on the door of the church at Wittenberg, Germany. He unintentionally stated the Protestant Reformation. Although most of the peasants during the time mostly demanded economic and political changes, the religious Reformation was the start of the explosion.

It was a chilly morning on the 31st of October, 1517 in the German town of Wittenberg. A priest walks with papers in hand to the church and, stepping up to the wooden door, nails the papers to the front of the church, posted for the town to see. Martin Luther, not knowing what he had just started, walked away from the church beginning what has come to be known as the Protestant Reformation. This Reformation is often viewed as a religious movement that eventually came to affect the political and social spheres as well; Martin Luther along with other Protestants had started a revolution.

The Reformation AKA The Protestant Reformation started and led by Martin Luther, cause a big division in the Roman Catholic Church, it led to the creation of many branches of the Christian belief. Some of the many, many branches of Christianity are the Beachy Amish-Mennonites, and Anabaptist-Mennonite. Despite the increase of branches of Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church still exists and is still one of the major sects of Christianity.

Luther looked further into the selling of indulgences. From this came the 95 Theses, a handwritten document of ninety five arguments Luther had with the church. The document spread all across Germany and soon the issue wasn't just the indulgences but the Pope as well. Luther was threatened with excommunication when he stated that “a simple layman armed with the scriptures” held more power than the pope. He argued that all Christians are priests. He also reduced the seven sacraments to only two — baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Then he told Christians that they were free from the Church’s laws, but they should continue to love their neighbors. Luther was called to an assembly to appear before the Holy Roman Emperor. When he got there, he discovered it was not another debate but a trial to recant his views. He said, “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me! Amen.” By the time they had made the decision to convict Luther for heresy, he had already ran away to Warburg Castle, where he would hide for ten

The Reorganization in Switzerland at first created in Zurich under the authority of the minister Ulrich Zwingli. Zwingli had been affected by Erasmus and by Christian humanism. He landed at an outreaching comprehension of Christianity from his investigation of the Book of scriptures and from contacts with Lutherans. On Jan. 1, 1519, he started a 6-year arrangement of sermons on the New Confirmation that moved the city committee and the populace of Zurich toward change. The ideal reaction to The Sixty-Seven Articles, which he arranged for open controversy with an ecclesiastical delegate in 1523, demonstrated the prevalence of his system. He required the annulment of the Mass (and its substitution by a typical Ruler's Dinner), autonomy from episcopal

Martin Luther is planning on being a lawyer when he is caught in a terrible lightning storm. There, he is convinced to becoming a monk. His stern father is disappointed with his choice, but Martin's spiritual mentor at the monastery, Father Johann von Staupitz, is very pleased with his sharp mind and intense devotion. He sends a young monk to Rome for what will turn out to be another life-changing experience. Luther is appalled by what he sees in the Holy City, especially the Catholic Church’s practices of selling indulgences. When he comes back to Germany, Luther studies at the university in Wittenberg and becomes a professor of theology. In his classes and writings, Luther emphasizes the importance of faith over good works. He wins the support of the local prince, Frederick the Wise, and soon has a large following among the local peasants who listen to his sermons. Meanwhile in Rome, Pope Leo X needs to raise money to build St. Peter’s Basilica. He intends to do this by selling a special indulgence. Hearing the arguments of Brother John Tetzel in Germany, some illiterate members of Luther’s congregation decide to spend their meager funds on indulgences. Luther is outraged when he discovers this and responds to it by posting 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, delineating his reasons why he sees the practice of indulgences as erroneous theology and abuse by Rome. Realizing that Luther is a rebel within the ranks, Cardinal Cajetan demands that he recant his teachings. Then in 1521, the Pope excommunicates Luther. The reformer takes sanctuary with Prince Frederik, and later is guaranteed a safe escort to the Imperial Diet of Worms for a meeting of the German princes who many of them support him. Luther stands before Emperor Charles V

The protestant reformation began in the 16th century. This reformation was seen as a counter to the religious authoritative rules set in place by society. Many citizens saw it as a disrespectful threat to the society as a whole, but as the protest began to increase , several people would rise in fame in Europe. The creation of a new Christianity branch of faith would produce a new theology and philosophy within Christianity. The church was forced to defend themselves, using the Counter Reformation. The Reformation had three parts : Lutheran, Reformed and English. There are many influences that impacted the Protestant Reformation that will be discussed in the following.