Setting the Stage for the Reformation:

    As the Middle Ages were coming to an end, corruption in the Catholic Church was at an all time high. Not only were many of the clergy members living easy, exorbitant lifestyles, but many were also engaging in sexual relationships, breaking their vow of chastity. Some priests were even fathering children. As these extravagant lifestyles carried on for years, one would likely ask how the church clergy was getting rich. That can be answered with a few different ideas.

    The first way that the Catholic Church earned money was through the selling of indulgences. When they were first introduced, indulgences were simply a certificate from the pope that was intended to clear whole or partial punishment that a person would receive for their sins. As church clergy members decided they needed even more change in their pockets, almost all clergy began selling them. The new indulgences were more or less prewritten letters that could be purchased for self and / or family members (including those who were already dead). They were supposed to ensure salvation for anybody with doubt. This goes strictly against what Martin Luther found through studying the Bible, and it is one of the major reasons for the writing of his 95 Theses. He found that people were saved by Faith alone, and not by any rituals, letters, or blessings from clergy members. Indulgences were not the only form of corruption in the Church, however.

    Many clergy members also took advantage of an old Christian tradition that allowed for repentance to be accomplished by visiting the sites of relics. Clergy of the Middle Ages are known to have sold false relics of animal bones and bits of torn cloak as those from Christ. Frederick I, in particular, claimed to have a collection of sacred relics including fragments of Jesus’ cross and manger. Money from these pilgrimages was used to fund building extravagant churches, castles, and in Frederick’s case, even a university.

    Third, the church started "auctioning" off positions to any buyer who had money. It did not matter if the buyer had a religious background or religious training. This practice, called simony, was yet another factor of corruption in the Catholic Church. Clearly, this too, was going against what Martin Luther found by studying the Bible. Martin Luther believed that, as the Bible is the book from which Christian teachings are derived, the church needs to follow the Bible in order to properly teach Christianity. If the clergy members don’t have religious background or training, it would be hard to teach from the Bible. Worse yet, even if the clergy intended to be a Bible following church, it was hard for some clergy members to even read it. Indeed, many were illiterate.

    The Catholic Church was becoming a fire of greed, misconception, and malpractice. Martin Luther, among many others, saw that changes needed to be made. Thus, the reformation began.