Mid-term history exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mid-term history exam - Essay manikinHe questioned Popes authority also, by saying that, pontiff cannot remit any penalties early(a) than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons (Luther, 5). With these words and correspondent arguments in his theses, Luther was questioning the concept of merit held by Catholic church service service and was protesting against those preachers of indulgences who say that by the popes indulgences a man is free from every penalty, and saved (Luther, 21). Though probably Martin Luther had no supposition as to what he had started, his criticism and revolt against the indulgences were sharp and focused. Historians have observed that though Martin Luther had expected his theses to chevy scholarly debate, (he) could not have anticipated the dramatic public response (McNeese, 5). The Roman Catholic Church was in those days, literally selling indulgences, which were traditionally granted to someone when he or she confessed a ill-doing (McNeese, 4). It was when the sinner was performing a penance to receive forgiveness, that the Church had to issue an indulgence (McNeese, 4). This is explained as an act of piety, to help provide complete forgiveness and to prove that the sinner was, indeed, sorry for having done treat (McNeese, 4). But by the Middle Ages, the doctrine of indulgences allowed people to pay money (to the church) rather than a pious act (McNeese, 4). Martin Luther was primarily revolting against this sale of indulgences. Secondly, by the 15th century, Pope Sixtus IV claimed to have the forefinger to release the souls of the dead from the penance they were experiencing in Purgatory (McNeese, 4). This prompted people to buy an indulgence to help expedite a deceased loved ones release from Purgatory (McNeese, 4). It was against this profiteering of the church from the indulgences that Martin Luther mainly published his 95 Theses. When it was published, the church wanted him to c onfess his wrong doing, he did not yield to that, and the pope excommunicated him (McNeese, 5). Soon after these developments, Luther developed his own theology and it stood for salvation through faith in God rather than through ceremonies and skillful works (McNeese, 6). He negated priesthood also (McNeese, 6). Luther also criticized the Popes who were indulging in extravagance and luxury (McNeese, 4). Luther believed religion to be a personal thing for each and every individual when he said, every truly bad Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon (Luther, 36). Gradually, the 95 theses of Martin Luther became the spark that initiated the fire of protestant reformation (McNeese, 6). At a culmination point of this religious movement, Lutheranism became the semiofficial religion for some German states and Sweden (McNeese, 7). Calvin developed Luthers ideas and spread them to Switzerland, France, Scotland and England (McNeese, 7) . England, embraced Protestantism, wholeheartedly. Later in England, a counter-reformation was conduct by Catholic Church, which was only partially successful (McNeese, 9). But Luther regretted his preaching, when reformation turned into a peasants regeneration in Germany (McNeese, 7). More bloodshed and hostilities followed throughout the reformation and the