Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Early life and ideas • Born in Saxony, Germany in 1483.
• Became Augustinian monk, studied theology.
• Lectured at University of Wittenburg.
• Did many good works but had doubts that he was on the right path to heaven.
Objections to indulgences
• Pope Leo sent John Tetzel to sell indulgences to rebuild St. Peter’s church.
• Luther disagreed with this and developed the idea of ‘salvation by faith alone’.
• He is said to have nailed his arguments (95 theses) to the door of the University of Wittenburg.
Luther’s Ideas
Subject Catholic
Teaching
Luther’s Teaching
Salvation
(getting into
heaven)
Need faith in
Christ and good
works.
Faith in Christ is
enough.(‘through
faith alone’)
The Bible and
priests
Priests have
special powers
to explain the
Bible. (Cannot
marry)
People should read
the Bible
themselves and only
need ministers to
preach. (Can marry)
Language Bible and Mass
should be in Latin.
People need to read
Bible and hear Mass
in their own
language.
Sacraments Accepted seven
sacraments.
Only accepted two:
Baptism and the
Eucharist.
Bread and
Wine
Transubstantiation:
changes into body
and blood of Christ.
Consubstantiation:
represents body
and blood of Christ.
Head of the
Church
The Pope in Rome is
the head of the
Church.
Each ‘godly prince’
should
Church Reaction
• Pope Leo X condemned Luther’s ideas after his debate with John Eck in 1519.
(Write an account of this debate)
The Papal Bull
• Pope concerned with spread of Luther’s ideas and issued a Papal Bull-gave him 60 days to recant.
• Luther refused and publicly burned the Papal Bull.
• He was called a heretic by the Church.
(Explain the words in italics above)
The Diet of Worms
• What was the Diet of Worms?
• Who was Charles V?
• What was the result of the Diet of Worms?
(*Edict of Worms)
Why did people like Luther’s ideas?
They could make up their own
minds by reading the Bible in their own language.
They could stop paying taxes to
Rome.
Princes became more powerful because they
could control the Church.
Princes could close monasteries and convents and
take their land.
Invention of printing spread
Luther’s ideas and Bibles could be
printed in various languages.
Religious wars
• This led to war:
• Lutheran princes V the Emperor and non- Lutheran princes.
• Charles V ordered princes to enforce Edict of Worms and many of them protested.
• They became known as Protestants.
Charles V