Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Protestant Reformation primarily criticized the wealth of the Catholic Church. Reformers, such as Martin Luther, raised concerns about the immense financial resources and opulence of the Church, which they believed detracted from the true teachings of Christianity and the spiritual integrity of the religious institution. The selling of indulgences, which were payments made to the Church in exchange for the forgiveness of sins, served as a particularly prominent symbol of this critique.

Many supporters of the Reformation felt that the Church had become more focused on accumulating wealth and less on serving its spiritual mission. This criticism was integral to the movement, as it not only aimed to reform church practices but also sought to highlight the need for a more sincere, faith-based approach to Christianity that moved away from the financial corruption and excesses that characterized the Church at that time. The emphasis on the Church's wealth directly connected to broader concerns about papal authority and the accessibility of salvation, which were central to Reformation thought.