How did Marin Luther brake away from the Catholic Church?
Is the answer this:
To brake away from the Catholic Church he called on the German Princes to overthrow the papacy in Germany and establish a reformed German Church.
That's part of the answer. Check this article on the 95 Theses for more information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ninety-Five_Theses
What exactly is the Ninity Five theses?
Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic Church during a period known as the Protestant Reformation, which took place in the 16th century. To understand how Luther broke away, it’s essential to learn about several key events:
1. Ninety-Five Theses: In 1517, Martin Luther, a German monk, theologian, and professor, wrote the Ninety-Five Theses. These were a list of grievances and criticisms against various practices of the Catholic Church, particularly the selling of indulgences. Luther's intention was to spark an academic debate within the church.
2. Printing Press: The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century enabled the rapid circulation of Luther's writings. His Ninety-Five Theses were printed and distributed throughout Europe, gaining widespread attention and support from those who were critical of the Church's practices.
3. Excommunication: In 1521, Pope Leo X issued a papal bull, known as Decet Romanum Pontificem, which excommunicated Luther from the Catholic Church. This action was a result of Luther's refusal to retract his teachings and criticisms. Excommunication meant that Luther was officially separated from the religious community and declared a heretic.
4. Formation of Lutheranism: Despite being excommunicated, Luther continued to develop his theological ideas based on his interpretation of the Bible. He rejected several Catholic doctrines and emphasized the concept of salvation through faith alone (sola fide), not through good works or the authority of the Church. Eventually, Luther's followers formed a new branch of Christianity known as Lutheranism, which offered an alternative to the Catholic Church.
In summary, Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic Church by publicly criticizing its practices, gaining support through the printing press, refusing to retract his teachings, and eventually forming a new branch of Christianity called Lutheranism.