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Causes and effects of reformation on the church
The roman catholic church in the middle ages
The roman catholic church in the middle ages
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“Forgive me Father for I have sinned!” is a common prayer within the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church was known for the practice of teaching it’s parishioners that sin is forgiven through the process of asking the bishops and priests. This practice known as confession or atonement was performed during a Reconciliation ceremony. According to The Catholic Encyclopedia, a sinner would confess his sins to the priest, who in turn would give him a prayer to recite, tell him his sins are forgiven and everything is satisfactory between him and the church. During the Middle Ages, a common monk questioned the authority of the leaders in the Roman Catholic Church. This doubt brought about what is today known as the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was a prominent Christian theologian born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany. He is most famously known for his fallout with the Catholic Church over the sale of indulgences in the church. He also was in disagreement over the questions, “How one is saved and enters heaven?” and “Who is the highest authority in Christianity?” Revered as one of the most powerful and controversial figures in the Reformation Movement, Martin Luther’s actions caused corruption within the Roman Catholic Church therefore causing it to change some of their practices. Luther wanted people to be able read the Bible for themselves and know that the priest did not have the authority to charge a monetary price to have their sin’s forgiven. His passion was so great, it led him to translate the Bible into a dialect where everyone could read and understand it for themselves. This translation stirred a horrendous change in the rapport between the church leaders and their parishioners. Martin Luther ... ... middle of paper ... ...t.org/cathen/09438b.htm Head, R. C. (2004). Protestant Reformation. Retrieved May 27, 2014, from Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World: http://ww.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2- 3404900956.html Kent, W. (1910). Indulgences, In the Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07782a.html Staff, B (2014). Martin Luther. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2014, from Biography.com: http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-9389283 Staff, H. (2009). Martin Luther and the 95 Theses. Retrieved May 27, 2014, from History.com: http://www.history.com/topics/martin-luther-and-the-95-theses Thatcher, O. J. (1907). The Library of Original Sources. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from Luther Against Catholicism, 1535: http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1535luther.asp The Holy Bible (n.d). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.