The Reformation

Some of the abuses of the Catholic church which produced The Reformation include pluralism, nepotism and indulgences. Pluralism contributed to the uprising of The Reformation because it was not uncommon from members of the church to hold more than one position. This took place in both the regular and secular clergy. Another abuse of the Catholic church was nepotism. Nepotism is favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power. Many positions within the Catholic church were given to relatives of the already established churchmen. Indulgences could be bought and sold within the Catholic church. These indulgences would allow the purchaser to spend less time in purgatory and avoid hell. Purchased indulgences for the already dead were said to get them out of purgatory or hell and speed up the process of getting to heaven.

B) Martin Luther was one of the major leaders of The Reformation. He is also the founder of the religion of Lutheranism. He is responsible for writing the "95 Theses" which disagreed with Catholicism and basically started The Reformation. Martin Luther believed that salvation was necessary and that faith was the means of salvation. Luther denied the central role of the pope as final interpreter of Scripture. He also denied any special spiritual role for priests and disagreed with the idea of transubstantiation. He believed in clerical marriage, disagreed with usury and commercialism, and recommended a return to a primitive agrarian society.

Another important leader of The Reformation was John Calvin. He published Ecclesiastical Ordinances which was his detailed survey of how church and state should be governed. He also created the idea of double predestination.