Final answer:
Mephistopheles manipulates Faustus by promising him worldly pleasures and knowledge, which goes against church teachings, exploiting Faust's ambitions and dissatisfaction with his scholarly life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mephistopheles manipulates Faustus into working against the church by offering him access to worldly pleasures and knowledge, which can be interpreted as a form of serving the devil for temporary gains. These temptations directly oppose the principles of the church, which encourage self-denial and adherence to spiritual doctrines over materialistic desires. Mephistopheles cunningly presents these temptations to Faustus, capitalizing on his weaknesses and desire for more than what his scholarly life offers.
This manipulation is a common theme, as seen in various cultures where individuals resort to supernatural means to gain wealth and power. The phenomenon, which parallels other historical and cultural accounts, shows a deep-seated contradiction between the pursuit of wealth and power and the moral or religious life advocated by the church.
In the broader cultural context, Martin Luther's critique of the Church's greed aligns with the theme of corruption and misuse of power—elements that Mephistopheles exploits to lure Faustus away from the church. Scholars working in globalized capitalistic societies also experience a similar dilemma, feeling uneasy about their role in a system that values material gains over communal and spiritual welfare. Faust's plight, as depicted in the legend, resonates with these complex moral and ethical concerns.