1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
MatroZZZ [7]
3 years ago
15

Explain why the topic of indulgences is closely related to Luther's criticism of the Catholic Church. Your response should be ab

out one page in length. Use the Internet to research any relevant background information, including the religious practices of the time and the historical context of Martin Luther's debate with the authorities of the Roman Catholic Church.
English
2 answers:
grin007 [14]3 years ago
7 0

A major impetus for the activities of Reformation thinkers such as Luther was the corruption of the Catholic Church, whose political power had grown enormously through the medieval period. In his Ninety-Five Theses, Luther questions the practices of Catholic Church officials, as well as official and popular claims about the powers of the pope. In particular, Luther believes that some of those claims are not sound in view of fundamental principles of the Christian faith.


During the Middle Ages, successive popes declared more and more indulgences. Some of these indulgences were originally for those who supported charitable works undertaken by various groups under the Catholic Church. Church officials called pardoners were empowered to grant the indulgences to those who contributed money for the causes sponsored by the church. Gradually, the practice became corrupt. The Catholic Church came to view indulgences as a major source of money, and pardoners began to misuse their power for personal gain. Indulgences thereby changed from instruments to reward piety to commodities that were sold to believers.


Pardoners sought to extort as much money as they could from believers in return for indulgences. Further, pardoners deceived the common people who went to them, claiming that the indulgences included forgiveness for sins and not just exemption from punishment. (According to Christian theology, only God possesses the power to forgive sins. So the pope could only exempt sinners from penance; he could not forgive sins.) Others made even more extravagant claims such as forgiveness for all further sins. Some pardoners also forged indulgences. People also began to believe that copies of letters declaring indulgences from the past, and other physical artifacts, had the miraculous property of ensuring forgiveness for sin.


As a devout Christian, Martin Luther viewed sin and forgiveness as extremely important questions. Luther, who was himself a priest, noted how the practice of indulgences had degenerated into a commercial activity far removed from religious observance. He also noted how members of his flock had absorbed the erroneous beliefs that the pardoners spread. He concluded that corrupt church officials such as pardoners ascribed greater power to the pope than was possible within Christian theology. Luther pointed out that it was disrespectful to God to equate an exemption from the pope with God's forgiveness.


To summarize, the topic of indulgences was important to Luther's argument because indulgences were a major source of corruption within the church. Pardoners used them to mislead churchgoers on articles of faith and tempted them into sin by offering forgiveness in exchange for money.

Kitty [74]3 years ago
4 0
Alright, this would't amount to an entire page, but this can be the thesis of the paper. This is how indulgences work: people pay the priests money (or with items) so that their sins will be "forgiven". Basically, the sacrament of confession is paid. The Bible does not instruct us to do things this way. Luther saw this as corruption and based his arguments against the Catholic Church mainly on this concept. 
You might be interested in
Using the paragraph rubric, write a well developed paragraph in the 3rd person, with logic and reasoning evidence, addressing on
SIZIF [17.4K]

Answer: Its going to be A or C

Explanation: A or C sounds better then B so either one of them should be fine

(If wrong sorry its 3am)

4 0
3 years ago
What does the word part com- mean?<br> around<br> together<br> against<br> toward
Zigmanuir [339]
<span>The prefix com- has the meanings “with”, “together”, “in association”, and “completely”.

<span>Hope this helps, and May the Force Be With You!

-Jabba</span></span>
5 0
3 years ago
Read 2 more answers
What is the resolutions of mirror image
Alexus [3.1K]

No hablo inglés ukrŕjdlrmvxbuemgnjjenBfosmel3tjusngnbgqrormxbtuwmtn

3 0
2 years ago
Which of the following are examples of textual features? Select all that apply.
julia-pushkina [17]

Answer: bolded words, bullet points and I think captilized sub headings

Explanation:

8 0
3 years ago
Can I get some help with these please I need to put it in better sentences
Arte-miy333 [17]
Ben ran a good race so he came in second place.
5 0
4 years ago
Other questions:
  • How does a hyperbole differ from other types of figurative language
    13·1 answer
  • How do Lady Bracknell’s words reflect Victorian social codes
    10·2 answers
  • Who are the main characters in "wicked" the musical?
    7·2 answers
  • Read the quotation below and complete the instruction that follows.
    7·2 answers
  • Read the excerpt from Neil deGrasse Tyson's "Death by Black Hole.
    5·2 answers
  • Which sentence contains both an adverb and a conjunction?
    14·1 answer
  • Select the correct answer. What does Moloch represent in this excerpt from Allen Ginsberg’s poem "Howl"?
    12·1 answer
  • Why People Under 18 Shouldn't Vote
    10·2 answers
  • 1. How can we be sensitive towards others feelings.
    13·1 answer
  • Proofread, and edit this argumentative essay please
    10·1 answer
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!