Martin Luther and the Reformation (through Stephen Colbert gifs)

Hey, what's up, hello.

Hopefully we all know that the Reformation was about more than just papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation.  (I know you all sang that in your heads.)

*Reformation Polka plays in the background*

But, if that's all you can remember from today's class (aside from Emilia making possibly offensive jokes and Cory being yelled at - the usual), then let's review.

Basically all you need to know about Martin Luther:

But seriously, Martin Luther got so tired of the corruption in the Catholic church and the immorality and ignorance of the clergy.  They weren't as holy, celibate, and devout as they should have been, unlike...

Martin Luther disagreed with the Catholic church's practices and behavior, and expressed his (many) grievances with the 95 Theses.

Martin Luther after posting the 95 Theses *mic drop*

Although this spread Luther's ideas and the Reformation quickly and to many places, he faced excommunication and serious consequences when he refused to recant what he said at the Diet of Worms.

Get it?  Wow, I'm funny.

He was declared an outlaw, but was spared his life and went into hiding.  However, by this time, he was in trouble with both the spiritual and secular law.

I'm gonna guess this was his reaction to not being executed.

Luther didn't necessarily disagree with the beliefs of Catholicism, but he did have problems with the behavior of the clergy and the practices at the time.

Luther wasn't a big fan of what the clergy was doing.

He disapproved of religious figures'...

• immorality -- gambling, drunkenness, sex, etc.
• pluralism -- neglecting the responsibilities of the several offices they were not supposed to have in the first place
• ignorance -- many were less educated than the general public and barely literate

According to the Reformation Polka, Luther also disagreed with papal bulls (charters/allowances from the pope), transubstantiation (the belief that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ), and the sale of indulgences (pardons for sins to get to heaven).  Luther believed in consubstantiation, which is the belief that the bread and wine are spiritually/symbolically transformed into the body and blood of Christ.

So what else did Luther believe and advocate?

Salvation was based on faith alone, and the amount of good deeds done or indulgences purchased didn't make a difference.  It was God's decision whether or not you got to heaven.

Religious authority rested in the Bible alone (sola scriptura).

The Protestant church is a "priesthood of all believers", not centered on a particular place or person (like the Vatican or the pope).

So long, pope.

Lutheran ideas and beliefs were appealing to many people, including the peasants who liked the idea of being "subject to none" and freedom from the oppression of the nobles.  They could finally be part of a religion without the costly "in-app purchases" that came along with Catholicism.  (I hope someone remembers my app metaphor, it's all I have going for me.)

the peasants' feelings toward Martin Luther (until he abandoned them during their rebellious years...awkward)

The commercial/middle class also liked Lutheranism because they weren't under the pope's jurisdiction anymore, so they ultimately had more social power and saved money as well (no tithing, buying indulgences, etc.).

Everybody wins!  Unless you're Catholic...then you're probably pretty upset at this time, and this most likely isn't your reaction.

The Catholic church hoped this would be fleeting and unpopular, but they had another thing coming with the Reformation and spread of Protestantism.

the Catholic church's reaction the 95 Theses and the beginning of the Reformation

It's safe to say that the Reformation was a...

for Martin Luther and Protestants, until the lack of religious unity weakened European countries.

I'll see all you lovely ladies tomorrow, where we'll enjoy another fabulous AP Euro class and try not to cry from sleep deprivation and the overwhelming amount of work we have.  :)

Euro class to Mr. Yarnall