In 1517, Martin Luther a theologian at the university of Wittenberg condemned the idea of indulgences. He questioned the power of the Pope, because if he had the power to prevent people from purgatory, why didn’t he do it from the goodness of his heart? On the 31st October 1517, Luther produced his ninety-five Theses on his views of the indulgences.
It was this, which got Luther noticed. The people in Germany were feeling ‘Anfechtung’ tension between society and the Church. ‘Anfechtung’ was the spiritual anxiety felt by a lot of Germans. The German Church lacked leadership and it resented giving all their money to the Papacy, who were mostly Italian. When Luther wrote the theses he was seen as a prophet who had come to lead the way for the arrival of Christ. Luther was seen as a ‘John the Baptist’ character.
With the development of printing, Luther’s ideas were spread a lot quicker throughout Germany and beyond. In the 1520’s Luther wrote three pamphlets, which expressed his ideas on Catholicism. The first was; ‘Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation.’ This pamphlet emphasised the corruption of the Papacy, with their sexual permissiveness, luxury and evil notions. The Church was more about money than God. Luther also made clear that priests were ordinary men, not closer to God, or to God’s representations. The first pamphlet also introduced the idea of ‘sola fide’ to the ordinary Germans. This is the idea that by faith alone, you will go to heaven.
The ideas of the first pamphlet were very successful, because it was what the German people wanted to believe. No longer were they condemned in eternal hell, or paying penance for their sins.
The second pamphlet ‘Babylonish captivity of the Church’ was once again an attack on the Catholic doctrine. It stated that there were only two real sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist. The pamphlet also stated that consubstantiation occurred at communion not transubstantiation.
Transubstantiation was when the bread and wine had been actually turned into the physical body and blood of Christ. Consubstantiation only believes it is the presence of Christ and the bread and wine symbolise it.
The third pamphlet were seen as exciting new teaching and a rebellion against the corruption of the Church. The pamphlets were sold cheaply and spread Luther’s message quickly over a large distance. The pamphlets were also designed for the literate and semi-literate, which included the rich and poor.
Luther’s support was also a factor, which helped the Reformation take place easily. His biggest protector and supporter was the Elector Frederick of Saxony, he offered Luther protection while it was believed his life was endanger and Fredrick allowed him to continue to preach within his jurisdiction. Luther was also given support from the German princes. The princes realised they could gain from the Reformation and therefore they were willing to adopt Lutheranism to satisfy their own personal means. Luther also received support from Catholic bishops who did not know whether Luther’s theology was right or wrong. The bulk of Luther’s support was from the common people; learned Germans who understood the theology behind his arguments alongside the peasants who just opposed the Papacy.
Luther’s support among the higher powers in Germany ensured his safety from church authorities, while his support from the common people spread his name across Germany.
The absence of the Emperor in the 1520’s was a great factor, which helped the Reformation. Charles V left Germany and went to Spain in 1522, for seven years. He appointed his younger brother Ferdinand to act as his regent but was reluctant to grant him the necessary independence of action to crush Lutheran challenge.
Overall the Reformation took root so easily between 1513 and 1530, because Luther was used as a catalyst. He joined together the corruptness of the Church with the development of printing to spread his message quickly. Without the use of printing or the support of the public, Luther would have been ignored, excommunicated or executed like some of his predecessors. Without all the factors the Reformation would not have taken place.
