The Catholic Church
Point / Counterpoint
The Protestant Reformation occurred in 16th-century Europe because of
widespread dissatisfaction with the Roman Catholic Church. Up to that point,
Catholicism was the primary Christian religion. The Reformation resulted in the
formation of the Protestant religions. The founders of Protestantism “protested”
the traditional beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The Lutheran,
Episcopal, Presbyterian, and
Baptist Churches were all
founded during the
Reformation.
Questions arose. Had the
Catholic Church survived past
its prime? Should it be
abandoned as a relic, or a
remnant of the past? Or were
the reformers misguided in
their judgment of the Catholic
Church? Was the longestablished Church still
relevant and important?
This artist’s symbolic interpretation of the Catholic
Church shows members disagreeing.
The Issue of Indulgences
The sale of indulgences was one of the issues that launched the Protestant
Reformation. Indulgences were documents sold by the Catholic Church. Believers
who sought God’s forgiveness for their sins paid for these indulgences. When
people sinned, or acted against God’s will, they were expected to repent, or accept
that they had done wrong. Next, they confessed the sin to a priest. The priest
would grant God’s forgiveness. The sinner was assigned a penance, or
punishment, by the priest.
Originally, indulgences allowed sinners to pay through completing tasks as
penance for lesser sins. They could pray, go on a pilgrimage to a holy site, or give
money to the poor. By the 1500s indulgences were paid through monetary
payments to the Church.
After the clergy received the money for indulgences, many officials tried to retain
the original spirit of penance. They put the money toward good faith projects. The
money built hospitals. It helped those in need. Pope Julius II allowed the sale of
indulgences to help pay to rebuild Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The money also
went towards the Church and its members. In addition, Catholics believed that
indulgences allowed them to gain God’s forgiveness and start anew. Many
believers thought that indulgences were beneficial to everyone.
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The Catholic Church
Point / Counterpoint
Martin Luther was a German former monk and a student of religion. Luther did
not agree with selling indulgences. He thought that it was spiritually misleading
to exchange money for forgiveness. Luther argued that this practice suggested
that no sin was too great to be forgiven, if you had enough money. In addition,
some corrupt clergy became greedy with newfound power and “stolen” wealth.
Luther also objected to money from the indulgences being sent to Rome to pay
for the rebuilding of Saint Peter’s Basilica. He felt that the Catholic Church was
selling indulgences simply to renovate a physical building. To Luther this did not
seem right. It was a sign of corruption. Furthermore, Luther questioned the
Church’s authority with selling salvation, or deliverance from sin.
In 1517 Luther wrote his concerns in a list called the 95 Theses. Luther then
posted the 95 Theses on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. He
intended for the document to open a frank discussion. Instead, his post sparked a
revolution.
The Role of Priests
The disagreement between Luther and the Church began over indulgences, but
the debate evolved to include larger Church traditions and religious beliefs. For
example, Luther and other Protestants questioned the need for priests. The
Catholic Church believed that priests were the link between ordinary people and
God. Priests were representatives of Jesus. They were role models and guides to
understanding the gospel, or the teachings of Christ. People depended on priests
to help save their souls.
To support the Church’s position and the need for priests, they pointed to the
Bible. In the book of Saint Matthew, Jesus gives Saint Peter the keys of the
kingdom of heaven. The Church interpreted this action to mean that Jesus gave
Peter, the first pope, responsibility to lead Jesus’s followers to God. Jesus
intended for people to accept the role of the priest and leadership of the Church
in order to reach Heaven.
Protestant reformers, on the other hand, wanted to use the Bible, not other
people, for spiritual guidance. Reformers felt that scripture, or holy text, could
not be corrupted, but people could be. Unfortunately, at this time, outside of the
clergy, few people could read the original languages of the Bible. The Bible was
often written in Hebrew or Greek. Copies of the Bible were not readily available
outside of Church. People needed priests to provide and interpret the scripture
for them.
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The Catholic Church
Point / Counterpoint
A Bible for All
During the 1500s the translation of the Bible to
the vernacular, or the everyday spoken
languages, increased. More people could
independently read the Bible. Martin Luther
himself translated the Bible into German.
Luther distributed many copies of his version
of the Bible.
With access to translated versions of the Bible,
the common person no longer relied on priests
to translate and share their version of the
Bible. In this way Protestant reformers
supported a more personal, direct relationship
with God. They did not need priests to gain
salvation. Protestants did not believe that God
viewed the pope or other church officials as
higher or more important than any non-clergy
member.
Martin Luther translated the
Bible into German, allowing
many Christians to
independently read and
interpret it.
Differences of Opinion
Other differences regarding the role of saints and the life of clergy emerged as
well. For example, the Protestants rejected the Catholic practice of worshipping
saints. Protestants do not believe in giving godly traits to people, as with the
saints. Catholics believe in the benefits of praying to the many saints elevated to
Heaven.
The lives of the religious leaders also differed. Catholic priests and nuns are not
allowed to marry. Nuns are considered to be married to Christ. Catholic priests
devote their life to their religion and live as Christ did, unmarried. Catholics
believe that clergy who marry cannot devote themselves entirely to God and their
religion. Protestants, in contrast, permit their pastors to marry. They believe
marriage and family are gifts from God.
The Sacraments
The Catholic Church and the Protestants also disputed the significance of a
tradition that began at the Lord’s Supper. This was the last meal before Jesus
died. At the dinner Jesus is said to have blessed bread. He then told his followers
that it was his body. The followers should eat the bread to help remember him.
Jesus also shared a cup of wine that he said was the blood he shed for their sins.
Christians continued this practice of eating bread and drinking wine in
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The Catholic Church
Point / Counterpoint
remembrance of Jesus. It is called Holy Communion or the Eucharist.
During the Reformation arguments between Catholics and Protestants arose over
the meaning of Holy Communion. The Catholic Church firmly believes that the
bread and wine truly become the blood and the body of Jesus. Jesus is truly
present during the ritual. Protestants, on the other hand, believe that eating the
bread and drinking the wine are a symbolic way to remember Jesus. They do not
believe that Jesus is physically present during the service.
Holy Communion is one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Sacraments
are rituals through which God’s presence, also referred to as divine grace,
becomes real on Earth. As with Holy Communion, Protestants see the other
sacraments, including baptism and marriage, as symbols of God’s presence but
not his actual, physical presence.
Regardless of the disputes about whether God is present at the sacraments, they
are times of celebration and good faith. For Catholics the sacraments are also an
example of “good works,” or acts that can help a person reach heaven. Martin
Luther and other Protestants rejected the idea that good works could help a
person get to heaven. Rather, they insisted that salvation could be achieved by
faith alone.
A Permanent Divide
When Martin Luther openly posted his concerns about the direction of the
Catholic Church, he meant to begin a discussion among scholars. His intention
was to help fix the problems. Instead, disagreement over religious beliefs and
practices led to permanent divisions. Among other things, differing opinions of
the sale of indulgences, the authority and role of the clergy, and the
interpretation of sacraments prompted the Protestant Reformation. Many began
to question the Catholic Church’s interpretation of the Bible. Some of the Catholic
practices and beliefs were seen as unrealistic or outdated. As corruption and
misuse of the scripture became more apparent in the Church, people protested
and wanted reform.
Despite the growing divide, the Council of Trent, which was composed of various
religious leaders, still met. The council wanted to discuss and perhaps reunite the
religious reformers and the traditional Catholic clergy. After the council meeting,
the Catholic Church restated all of its beliefs and practices. It did not change any
of its teachings, but it did address the issue of corruption and set new rules for
indulgences. The Catholic Church still remains strong today. It did not become a
relic of what had once been. Since the Reformation, Catholics and Protestants
have started other branches of Christianity to respond to different views on the
clergy and the Christian belief system.
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The Catholic Church
Point / Counterpoint
After reading the passage, answer the following questions:
1. What is a penance?
A. a flag used by church officials
B. a coin used to buy an indulgence
C. a belief that Jesus is present in the church
D. an action performed to show repentance for sin
2. Why did Protestant reformers disagree with the authority of the pope?
A. They wanted a pope who was elected by the people.
B. They thought that the pope was hiding religious secrets.
C. They felt the pope was not accurately translating the Bible.
D. They did not believe that the pope was spiritually higher than
they were.
3. On which of the following beliefs did Catholics and Protestants agree?
A. Jesus Christ is physically present at all the sacraments.
B. One should follow the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
C. A spiritual guide is needed to have a relationship with God.
D. Faith and good works are both necessary to ensure salvation.
4. During the 16th century, people throughout Europe debated the beliefs
and practices of the Catholic Church. In your opinion, what was the
most significant disagreement between the Church and the religious
reformers? Why? Use details from the reading passage to support your
answer.
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