The Reformation

The Catholic Church

• Powerful institution-above kings
• Ran all the social service (poor, orphans, education)
• Owned 1/3 of all land
• Indulgences

Central Question:

Why did Luther challenge the Catholic Church?

Luther's Revolution

• Sola fide "faith alone"
• 95 Theses (October 31, 1517-also my bday)
• Spoke out against indulgences "can't buy your salvation"

Diet of Worms

• Recant
• I can't
• "Here I stand"

The Reformation Spreads

• The printing press
• Luther's Bible (German translation)
• Now everyone can read scripture

Luther Radicalizes

• Church rituals don't save souls
• The Church and Pope are not infalible
• Denies the power/authority of church (priesthood of all believers)

The Split

• Chain reaction
• Protestant/Catholic
• Zwingli, Calvin, Anabaptists...
• Lutherans, Baptists, Anglicans, Puritans, Quakers, Methodists....

Big Ideas