Lesson 1

Question 1

How did Luther understand the place of “tradition”?

Answer 1

• moderate view toward the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church
• Luther denied any traditions that contradicted the Scriptures

Question 2

What kinds of corruption were prevalent in the 16th century Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 2

1. Simony
   * Selling church office
   * Acts 8 - Simon offered money for high position
2. Abuse of office: absenteeism
3. Struggle for power/control
   * Great Schism: Avignon papacy
   * Conciliar movement
   * Pisa (1409), Constance (1414-1418)
   * Council of Ferrara, Florence (1438-1439): East/West reunion
   * Fifth Lateran Council (1512-1517)
   * Pope Leo X (1513-1521)
   * Unwilling to pursue true reform of abuses
   * Reaffirm Unam Sanctum
   * Claimed full power of the church
4. Clerical immorality
   * Pope Alexander VI (1431-1503)
   * Concubines
5. Wealth of the church

Question 3

How did the Renaissance help pave the way for the Protestant Reformation?

Answer 3

Humanism
This philosophical movement emphasized the value of human beings and their potential, which led to people questioning traditional authority, including the Catholic Church. Humanists like Lorenzo Valla and Erasmus also encouraged people to return to the original Greek of the New Testament, which challenged the Church’s authority.
Intellectual curiosity
The Renaissance fostered an environment of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity, which led to people re-reading the Bible and interpreting religious texts for themselves. This led to a diversity of religious beliefs and practices.
Printed technology
Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press around 1448 allowed printed technology to spread quickly across Europe, which played a key role in the success of the Protestant Reformation.

• • First, it paved the way in a intellectual sense
• Second, the most important invention of all human history came out of the Renaissance period

Question 4

Why is Erasmus important for any study of the 16th century?

Answer 4

• Dutch humanist scholar considered one of the greatest thinkers of the Renaissance.
• He sympithized with Luther. However, thought Luther’s writtings went too far.
• Was asked by RCC to help stop Luther from publishing and writting against the RCC.
• Some of his teachings were banned by the RCC
• A prolific writer who made full use of the printing press, he produced editions of classical authors, educational treatises, translations, dialogues, and letters.
• In order to understand the changes and reformation that was occurring during the 16th century you must have a knowledge of Erasmus