History Essay

How accurate is it to say that corruption within the Catholic Church was the main reason for the German Reformation? [30 marks] On the 31st of October 1517, Martin Luther, a catholic monk at the time, pinned the 95 theses on the doors of Wittenberg Church and although unintended, this triggered theological debate about the state of the Catholic Church which ultimately led to the German Reformation. These theses were a list of complaints about corruption in the Catholic Church and in particular the selling of indulgences hoisted by Dominican friar John Tetzel. From there on Martin Luther’s personal protest would transform into a more widespread reformation due to the German laity’s grievances with corruption in the Catholic Church. However, other factors also played a part in heating up the climate of the reformation. Yet, it is accurate to say that the Corruption, both spiritually and monetarily, within the Catholic Church was the main reason for the spread of the German reformation. Another key factor of course was the role of Martin Luther himself, as the success of the reformation was based around the alternative Luther proposed to Catholicism, in the form of the more liberal and trustworthy, Lutheranism, after continuous debates with the catholic clergy. Furthermore the role of the humanists at the time was also important as it again supported the need for reformation. It is accurate to say that spiritual corruption within the Catholic Church was the main cause of the German reformation. It is important to consider the state of the Catholic Church prior to 1517. There seemed to be widespread acceptance of papal authority, the seven sacraments and even the purchase of indulgences. However, the anti-papal behaviour on a spiritual level reached far up the Clergy’s hierarchy, for example Pope Leo X, who was said to be infallible sold off more than 2,000 church offices which was clearly symony. Symony was one of 4 of the church’s major abuses, and as the