- 1. In the year 1517, Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, ignited a religious revolution that would transform the landscape of Christianity in Europe by publishing his seminal work known as the 95 Theses. This bold manifesto, which he famously nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, challenged the Catholic Church's practices, particularly the sale of indulgences, which allowed individuals to pay for the remission of their sins. Luther's profound critique was not merely a call for reform, but a clarion call to return to the teachings of the Scriptures and to emphasize faith and grace over the Church's doctrinal traditions. His arguments resonated with an increasingly literate and disillusioned populace, eager for spiritual authenticity and more direct access to God. The dissemination of the 95 Theses, facilitated by the recent invention of the printing press, sparked widespread debate and ultimately led to the fracturing of the Catholic Church's monopoly on Christianity, paving the way for the Protestant Reformation and the establishment of various new denominations. Luther's courageous stand against what he viewed as corruption set in motion a series of events that would alter not only the religious but also the political and cultural fabric of Europe for centuries to come.
When did Martin Luther publish his 95 Theses?
A) 1453
B) 1517
C) 1492
D) 1605
- 2. What language were the 95 Theses originally written in?
A) German
B) English
C) French
D) Latin
- 3. In which city did Luther post his 95 Theses?
A) Vienna
B) Paris
C) Wittenberg
D) Rome
- 4. Who was the Pope at the time of Luther's 95 Theses?
A) Gregory XI
B) Innocent III
C) Leo X
D) Benedict IX
- 5. How many theses did Luther include in his document?
A) 150
B) 75
C) 95
D) 100
- 6. Which university was Luther affiliated with when he published the 95 Theses?
A) University of Prague
B) University of Wittenberg
C) University of Paris
D) Oxford University
- 7. Which church door did Luther reportedly post the 95 Theses on?
A) All Saints' Church
B) Notre Dame Cathedral
C) St. Peter's Basilica
D) Westminster Abbey
- 8. Who was the Holy Roman Emperor at the time of Luther's actions?
A) Charles V
B) Francis I
C) Henry VIII
D) Ferdinand I
- 9. What form of communication spread Luther's ideas throughout Europe?
A) Smoke signals
B) Printing press
C) Messenger pigeons
D) Carrier pigeons
- 10. What was the response of the Catholic Church to Luther's refusal to retract his views?
A) Atonement
B) Promotion
C) Excommunication
D) Canonization
- 11. How did Luther's actions impact the concept of individual interpretation of scripture?
A) Criminalized it
B) Discouraged it
C) Ignored it
D) Encouraged it
- 12. Who published the 95 Theses marking the start of the Reformation?
A) John Calvin
B) Martin Luther
C) Pope Leo X
D) Henry VIII
- 13. Who famously defended the selling of indulgences against Luther's arguments?
A) Philip Melanchthon
B) Johann Tetzel
C) Martin Bucer
D) Ulrich Zwingli
- 14. In what year was Martin Luther officially excommunicated by the Catholic Church?
A) 1517
B) 1530
C) 1545
D) 1521
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