The Protestant Reformation

During the Renaissance, the Roman Catholic Church faced serious problems. Popes fought wars for power and land. They lived a rich lifestyle and acted like kings instead of God's representatives on earth. The church increased its fees for religious services such as marriage and baptism. It also sold indulgences. An indulgence forgave a person for his or her sins and allowed entrance into heaven.

 

By the 1500's, many Christians wanted to reform the Church. A German monk named Martin Luther wrote 95 arguments against indulgences. He believed that Christians reach heaven only through faith in God. Because of his radical views and outspoken ideas, Luther was excommunicated and declared an outlaw. However, the ideas of Martin Luther spread through Europe. To many. Luther was a hero. His actions began what became the Protestant Reformation. His followers set up the Lutheran Church. They were called Protestants.

 

John Calvin was another important reformer. Like Luther, Calvin believed that Christians could reach heaven only through faith in God. Calvin also believed that people were born sinners. He preached predestination, the idea that God decided long ago who would go to heaven. His followers lived strict, disciplined lives. Calvinism spread to Germany, France, Scotland, and England.

 

Martin Luther

 

*Did not believe in the sale of indulgences.

 

*Believed Christians reached heaven only through faith in God.

 

*Did not believe that priests had special powers.

 

*Ideas spread to Northern Germany and Scandinavia

 

John Calvin

 

*Believed Christians reached heaven only through faith in God.

 

*Believed people are born sinners

 

*Preached predestination

 

*Ideas spread to Germany, France, Holland, England, and Scotland.

 

*Led a community in Switzerland.

 

*Martin Luther and John Calvin were two very important reformers during the Reformation.

 

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