Question

Explain the significant causes of the Protestant Reformation, including: 1) the selling of indulgences and 2) Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

Answer 1

Answer: Dissatisfaction with the church structure and the arrogance of the clergy.

Explanation:

At the beginning of the 16th century, Martin Luther publicly expressed his satisfaction with the church's situation. He decided on this move after carefully analyzing the situation in the church. Catholic doctrine proclaims the modesty of primary clergy but also of believers. That teaching was in contrast to the real situation in the church. The clergy enjoyed luxury and wealth. The special thing that encouraged Luther to fight was the sale of indulgences. The sale of indulgences was a practice of forgiveness of sins for monetary compensation. Luther saw this phenomenon as a deception and a contradiction with the original Catholic doctrine.

Thus, he presented his 95 theses at the cathedral in Winterberg (Germany), which indicated all the irregularities evident in the church. Luther thus began an avalanche of discontent in Europe against the church organization known in history as the Reformation.