Martin Luther and Catholic Church

Categories: Christianity Church Martin Luther Reformation Reformation Religion

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The 1500s was a time of religious turmoil and change. The Great Schism and Avignon Papacy greatly reduced the followers of the Catholic Church, and the sale of indulgences and church positions for many was the last straw. Martin Luther wrote his 95 Theses in response to this corruption within the Chruch, and although most of his reforms were purely religious, some called for changes to the economic and political structure of Germany and other nations.

John Calvin expanded on Luther's ideas, promoting the separation of Church and State.

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This separation aided in transforming the Church's role from one of earthly rule, in the form of land, assets, and direct taxing authority, to one of spiritual counsel. Luther and Calvin's ideology transformed the Reformation into a political and social movement as well as a religious one. Their call for the distinction between a secular authority and spiritual council redefined the medieval political structure of the 1400s by taking power away from the Church and granting sovereign states wealth and rights, giving birth to modern nations such as England, Sweden, and Denmark.

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B Martin Luther's 95 Theses outlined reforms for the Church, both in terms of structure and faith.

Luther strongly opposed the sale of indulgences and thus discussed them in his writing. He states '[i]t is certain that when the penny jingles into the money box, gain and avarice can be increased, but the result of the intercession of the church is in the power of God alone.' Luther berates the Church for its focus on wealth and its unrelenting avarice, yet in doing so brings forth new ideology on who should have taxing power.