HISTORY
THE RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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They were selling indulgences
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They did nothing wrong
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They became lazy
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They cared too much about the people
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Detailed explanation-1: -Some felt that the Catholic Church was more interested in money and power than in saving souls. For example, the church sold ‘indulgences’ for those who had committed sins. For a fine, paid to the church, your sin would be forgiven and when you died, the Church said that you would go to heaven.
Detailed explanation-2: -While reasserting the place of indulgences in the salvific process, the Council of Trent condemned “all base gain for securing indulgences” in 1563, and Pope Pius V abolished the sale of indulgences in 1567. The system and its underlying theology otherwise remained intact.
Detailed explanation-3: -However, the abuse of indulgences, mainly through commercialization, had become a serious problem which the church recognized but was unable to restrain effectively. Indulgences were, from the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, a target of attacks by Martin Luther and other Protestant theologians.
Detailed explanation-4: -Not only were indulgences Biblically wrong they were morally wrong. Stealing money from poor people to give them false hope of something they could not deliver on. If we are to call ourselves Christians we must put everything at the feet of Jesus. Go to Him with a humble heart and repentant spirit.