Question

A historian could best explain the arguments made in the passage regarding the pope and the clergy in the context of Protestant claims that the Catholic Church

A- had not adequately supported earlier Crusades against Muslims in the Holy Land
B- had become corrupted by power
C- had become too heavily influenced by Renaissance Humanism
D- had failed to convert Muslims living in Europe to Christianity

Answer 1

The passage suggests that a historian would explain the pope and clergy's arguments in the context of Protestant allegations that the Catholic Church had become corrupted by power. This corruption included popes acting like secular leaders and indulging in lavish lifestyles, which fueled the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther.

Step-by-step explanation:

The historian could best explain the arguments made in the passage regarding the pope and the clergy in the context of Protestant claims that the Catholic Church had become corrupted by power (B). The Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther in 1517, highlighted the church's issues, including clerical immorality, clerical ignorance, and clerical absenteeism. Luther's thesis and subsequent excommunication underscored a growing disillusionment with the Church's greed, abuse of power, and the sale of indulgences. This time in history saw criticisms that popes were behaving more like secular princes, involving themselves in political affairs, and commanding armies, rather than focusing on their spiritual roles.

Although there was mention of other elements such as lack of support for earlier Crusades against Muslims, the influence of Renaissance Humanism, and the failure to convert Muslims in Europe to Christianity, these were not central to the Protestant critique of the Church. The Protestant Reformation fundamentally arose out of concerns over morality and corruption within the Catholic Church, leading to a significant religious divide in Europe.

Answer 2

In the context of Protestant claims, the arguments made in the passage suggest that the Catholic Church had become corrupted by power.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of Protestant claims, the arguments made in the passage regarding the pope and the clergy suggest that the Catholic Church had become corrupted by power.

During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church had grown richer, and its higher clerical offices had become dominated by individuals motivated more by the desire for wealth and power than by spiritual concerns. The clergy lived lavishly and engaged in immoral practices, such as having mistresses and illegitimate children. These corrupt practices led to criticisms of the Pope and the Church.

The Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther in the early 1500s, was a response to these corruptions. Luther's critique focused on the Church's greed and abuse of power, which he believed had strayed from its original teachings and principles. Thus, the arguments made in the passage align with the Protestant claim that the Catholic Church had become corrupted by power.