Causes of the Reformation
There were several long term and short term causes of the Protestant reformation. The immediate cause that started the reformation was Martin Luther's act of posting the Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral in the Holy Roman Empire. Luther was a priest in the Catholic faith in 1517 when he posted the Theses. Luther posted the Theses in response to the sale of indulgences in nearby towns. The Church sold these indulgences as a way to raise money for people who wished their loved ones' souls to go from purgatory to heaven. However, Luther found fault with this practice because he believed that an indulgence was to be given for penance for wrongdoing. By selling indulgences, the Church was giving people who were not sorry for their sins forgiveness. He felt that these people had not lived the lives of saints. The Treasury of Merit said that the indulgences came from the extra goodness of the saints. The people of the surrounding area were buying these indulgences from the salesman Tetzel in order to raise money for Pope Leo X for the renovation of St. Peter's cathedral. Luther worried for these people's souls, so he posted the Ninety-five Theses in order to debate the sale of indulgences. He wrote th
The physical environment of Europe at the time allowed Luther to be successful. In addition to these, the plague had caused doubt as to the Church's role due to the fact that the Church could not stop it. This movement resulted in less focus on all the ceremonies involved with the Church, and more emphasis on everyday life. Luther did not travel to Rome, where he could have been executed because Fredrick protected him. The Great Schism followed, when the Papacy moved back to Rome. Luther was simply the reformer who had the proper timing, support, personality and goals to allow the reformation to begin. The reformation was a time of change in Europe, and its causes were many. The popes acted more secular than religious. He was stubborn and passionate, two traits which certainly led him to success. This dispute occurred between the years 1309-1337 involving the Church in Rome and the Church in France. He believed, like Hus, that the wealth of the Church far exceeded what it should. Also, the new idea of nationality began to appear, making allegiance to a particular state more important than allegiance to the Papacy, which was far away from many people. The Church lost credibility during this time because while it was supposed to have all the right answers, it could not decide who was the correct pope. The Waldensian religion died out, but not before leaving its impact and ideas.
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