Protesting the Roman Catholic Church
The documents in this section provide three examples of protests against the Catholic Church. Read each document carefully, keeping in mind each author’s point of view.
1. Document 15.1, Martin Luther, Table Talk, early sixteenth century
Begin by reading Document 15.1, an excerpt from Martin Luther’s Table Talk, written in the early sixteenth century. Then answer the questions below.
Questions
In his critique of the Catholic Church, how does Luther describe the character of popes, cardinals, and bishops? What specific criticism does Martin Luther make of the pope?
What is Martin Luther’s overall point of view and what did he do about it in order to redress the concerns he has with the Church?
2. Galileo Galilei, Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany, 1615
Galileo was placed on trial by the Catholic Church for writing in his scientific treatises beliefs that some felt went against what was said in the Bible. This letter was one of several responses of his to the charges. (See page 742 for a summary of Galileo’s discoveries.) Read the excerpt to his patron defending his beliefs, and then answer the questions that follow.
“... I hold the sun to be situated motionless in the center of the revolution of the celestial orbs while the earth revolves about the sun.... [T]hese men... have endeavored to spread the opinion that such propositions in general are contrary to the Bible and are consequently damnable and heretical.... But I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forego their use and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can attain by them. He would not require us to deny sense and reason in physical matters which are set before our eyes and minds by direct experience or necessary demonstrations....”
Source: Stillman Drake, ed., Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo, (New York: Anchor-Doubleday, 1957), 173–216.
Questions
How does Galileo argue that his scientific beliefs are not heretical?
What is Galileo’fs overall point of view and what does he say in order to redress the concerns he had with the Church?
3. Emperior Kangxi, 1715
Pope Clément XI, upon learning how Christianity was being practiced in China, forbade Chinese converts to continue their own traditional practices. Read the quote from Kangxi and the surrounding text on pages 732–34. Then answer the questions below.
Questions
Why does Kangxi change his mind about tolerating Christianity?
What is Kangxi’fs overall point of view and what did he do about it in order to redress the concerns he had with the Church?