MWH:
Chapter 1 The Protestant Reformation MWH:
Chapter 1 The Protestant Reformation
1500–1600
Section 3: Luther Leads the Reformation
Quote: “With any major upheaval in history, the causes are never simple or few.”
- meaning: It takes many things to cause any event.
Things don’t just happen overnight.
Martin Luther’s protest over abuses in the Catholic Church led to the founding of Protestant churches.
Causes of the Reformation
Church Authority Challenged
1.) Secularism, individualism of Renaissance challenge
Church authority
2.) Rulers challenge Church’s power
3.) Printing press spreads secular ideas
4.) Northern merchants resent paying church taxes
Criticisms of the Catholic Church
1.) Corrupt leaders, extravagant popes
2.) Poorly educated priests
Early Calls for Reform
- John Wycliffe and Jan Hus stress Bible’s authority over
clergy’s
- Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More are vocal critics of
the Church
- Reading religious works, Europeans form own opinions
about Church
John Wycliff: an English priest, is considered the precursor to the Protestant Reformation.
- 3 Beliefs
1.) He initiated the first English translation of the
Bible.
2.) He believed that any church claims of power
should be ignored and that the peoples should base
their faith solely on the scripture.
3.) He thought that souls had just as much a chance to
be saved if they worshipped outside of the church.
- The church was outraged, and demeaningly called his
followers Lollards, or "mumblers of prayers and psalms."
Jan Hus: was a priest in the Czech Republic, who formed the Hussites,
attempted to bring about reforms like those attempted by
Wycliff in England.
- Reaction from others: While the people around him
thought them heretical and forbade them, Hus
thought they had a right to be taught.
- On the Church, Through his various disagreements and
dealings, Hus came to think the church corrupt, and
left his native land to write a work which criticized
the manner in which it was run. His teachings
appealed to the masses, and he developed a group
of followers know as Hussites.
- 1413: Hus was invited to a council designed to reform the
church, but when he arrived he was arrested for his
views. The following trial was in many ways just a
formality, as he was guilty the moment he stepped
in.
- July 6, 1415: Hus was burned at the stake for heresy.
Desiderius Erasmus: Most famous Christian humanist.
- 3 basic ideas:
1.) Encouraged his fellow scholars to study Greek and
Hebrew so that they could understand older
versions of the Bible.
2.) Prompted people to look critically at the Church.
3.) Attacked the extravagance of the Renaissance
popes.
- The Praise of Folly: His essay that describes the
corruption and extravagance of the Renaissance popes.
He said they were so corrupt that they no longer even
practiced Christianity.
Luther Challenges the Church
The 95 Theses
- Martin Luther protests Friar Johann Tetzel’s selling of
indulgences
- Indulgence: a pardon releasing a person from the penalty
for a sin
- In 1517 Luther posts his 95 Theses attacking the “pardon-
merchants”
- Luther’s theses circulate throughout Germany
- Luther launches the Reformation: a movement for
religious reform
- Reformation rejects pope’s authority
Protestant Reformation: a movement that caused a change in the
Church’s ways of teaching and practicing
Christianity.
- where it began: Germany
Protestantism: A new form of Christianity which was a result of the Reformation.
- Protestant: A protestant is any non-Catholic Christian.
Martin Luther: German monk & professor at the University of
Wittenberg who was the founder of the Protestant
Reformation
- 1505: Year in which Luther was almost struck by lightening
during a thunderstorm. Terrified he made a
promise to God that if He would allow Luther to live,
Luther would become a monk and dedicate his life
to the Church.
- early problems: Luther really had a hard time thinking
about his salvation. He would confess his
sins for hours on end, and still not be
satisfied that God would find him
acceptable.
- St. Paul’s quote and its influence on Luther: In the book of
Romans, St. Paul wrote, “He who through faith is
righteous shall live.” This helped Luther put aside
his worries because he felt hat the Bible passage
meant that a person could be made just, or good,
simply by faith in God’s mercy and love.
** Major Problem: The Catholic Church taught that a
person needed faith and participation
in the Church sacraments to get into
Heaven.
- “justification by faith”: Luther’s concept that faith alone is
enough to bring salvation. This will
become a main point in the
Lutheran religion.
* “born again”: Luther’s feeling when he realized that
salvation was attainable to him simply
because he had a strong faith.
*** Luther’s ideas bring him in direct opposition
with the Catholic Church.***
Pope Leo X: Leader of the Catholic Church who wanted to rebuild
St. Peter’s Basilica. The only problem was that he
didn’t have any money, so began the sale of Church
offices and indulgences as a fund raiser.
- goal: to make St. Peter’s Basilica the largest and most
beautiful church in Christendom.
- St. Peter’s Basilica: The largest Christian church in the
world.
Religious causes for the Protestant Reformation Graphic Organizer Handout
- simony: selling positions (Church offices) in the
Catholic Church to the highest bidder.
Examples: Pope, Cardinal, Archbishop, Bishop
- sale of dispensations: an exemption from a law of the
Church, or some vow previously
taken.
Examples: Marriage vows, not eating meat on
Friday, celibacy vows for clergy
- Abuses with the veneration of sacred relics
- Scandalous lives of the clergy
- Different theologies.
- Ignorance of the clergy
- Influence of the reformers
indulgences: a pardon sold by the Catholic Church to reduce
one’s punishment for sins.
- why purchased: to “escape” some time in Hell for one’s
sins.
- JohnTetzel: the Church’s agent for selling indulgences in
northern Germany.
* 2 actions: He told peasants that if they purchased an
indulgence:
1.) He said it would relieve them of guilt for future
Sins.
2.) He encouraged them to buy indulgences for
the salvation of their dead relatives.
* jingle: “Once you hear the money’s ring, a soul from
purgatory is free to spring.”
- Purgatory: according to Catholic Church teaching, a place
in the afterlife where people are made “fit” for
Heaven.
Wittenberg, Germany: Town where Luther preached against the sale of indulgences and other Church practices he felt were corrupt.
- October 31, 1517: Luther “nailed” his 95 Theses to the
church door so everyone could see his ideas.
* 95 Theses: Luther’s ideas on religion and Church
practices.
^ effect of printing press: Printers quickly printed his
ideas and sent them all over Germany so many
people could read Luther’s ideas. With people
reading his ideas, the sale of indulgences
dropped dramatically.
Luther’s action: Luther, fired up by the public response his 95 Theses
received, begins to publish hundreds of essays
advocating justification by faith and attacking other
Church abuses. Obviously, the people were beginning to
turn away from the Church and wanted to hear someone
else’s ideas.
Luther’s Teachings
- People can win salvation by good works and faith
- Christian teachings must be based on the Bible, not the
pope
- All people with faith are equal, can interpret Bible
without priests
Lutheranism: The first Protestant faith which believed that salvation can
be achieved by faith alone and that religious truth and
authority lies in the Bible. (Luther simplified Church
doctrine and rituals.)
- basic teachings:
* One could attain salvation by faith alone.
* No amount of good works can win God’s approval for
salvation.
* Only trust in God’s love and mercy will win salvation
- minister: a person who preached the Bible and conducted
Protestant worship service. Unlike priests, this
Individual could be married and have children.
- Luther’s main 3 points:
1.) Luther emphasized that the Church was not a
hierarchy of clergy, but a community of believers.
2.) All useful occupations, not just the priesthood or
ministry, were important.
3.) There were vocations (callings from God) in which
people could serve God and their neighbors.
His ideas, especially about work, appealed to the merchants and artisans. They were glad that a religion finally gave them respect for their occupation.
The Response to Luther - The Pope’s Threat
- Pope Leo X issues decree threatening to excommunicate
Luther (1520)
- Luther’s rights of Church membership are taken away
- Luther refuses to take back his statements and is
excommunicated.
Pope Leo’s response: Pope Leo X sends envoys (special agents) to Germany to find out why the sale of indulgences has dropped. Once they find out what Luther is doing, the Pope pressures Luther to withdraw his criticisms – but it doesn’t work.
- 1520: Pope Leo issues a statement in which he formally
condemns Martin Luther and banned his works. No
Catholic was allowed to listen to or have in their
possession any of Luther’s ideas. This was
punishable by excommunication.
* excommunication: Being exiled from the Church.
One could no longer receive the sacraments,
and therefore would not attain salvation.
Anyone that associated with an
excommunicated person would suffer the same
punishment.
- 1521: Pope Leo X formally excommunicates Luther from
the Catholic Church.
The Emperor’s Opposition
Charles V is Holy Roman Emperor
He issues Edict of Worms (1521), declaring Luther a heretic
Luther and followers begin a separate religious group: Lutherans
Diet of Worms: a meeting of German princes who try to bring Luther back into the Church. They wanted Luther to take back his criticisms, so Germany will be back in the good graces of the Church.
- diet: German for meeting, or council.
- conclusion of group: They condemn Luther as a heretic
and order his immediate arrest.
They also formalize the papal
excommunication.
- Luther’s reaction: He said, “I cannot and will not recant
anything……..so help me God!”
Now since he is branded an outlaw by both the Church and secular officials he must go into hiding to stay alive.
* Frederick of Saxony: The German prince that hides
Luther in his castle in Wartburg.
- translation: While in hiding Luther translated the New
Testament into German.
* effects: The translation makes it more accessible and
affordable for common people to own and
read it.
The Peasants’ Revolt
- Inspired by Reformation by applying Luther’s revolutionary ideas
to society, German peasants seek end to serfdom (1524)
- Peasant demands: demanded an end to serfdom
- Bands of angry peasants went about the countryside raiding
monasteries, pillaging, and burning everything in sight.
- The revolt horrified Luther. He wrote a pamphlet urging the
German princes to show the peasants no mercy.
- Princes crush revolt; about 100,000 people die
Germany at War
- Some princes side with Luther, become known as Protestants
- Charles V fails to return rebellious princes to Catholic Church
- Peace of Augsburg (1555): an agreement declaring that the
religion of each German state would be
decided by its ruler.
England Becomes Protestant
English Reformation: More about freedom to decide one’s fate than about religion.
- when: 1500’s
Henry VIII Wants a Son
- Henry has only daughter, needs male heir to rule England
- Henry wants a divorce; Pope refuses to annul: set aside
his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon
Henry VIII: English king who got into a serious quarrel with the pope over succession to the throne. He broke ties with the Catholic Church and established his own state religion.
- major issue with wives: Henry needed a male heir to the
throne… and wasn’t getting one.
- Catherine of Aragon: first wife of Henry VIII. He was
forced to marry her after the death of his brother,
Arthur (she was Arthur’s widow). Together Henry
and Catherine six children, with only Mary I
surviving.
Henry still has the problem of needing a male heir to secure the throne for the Tudor family and prevent another civil war.
- Anne Boleyn: second wife of Henry VIII whose marriage
sparked a huge fight between Henry and the
Church; mother of Elizabeth I; was beheaded for
treason.
* 1527: The solution: Henry needs a divorce. The
problem: the Catholic Church does not allow
divorce. Henry asks the pope, who promptly
tells him, “No way” - due not to the Catholic
teachings, but to politics.
* Charles V: nephew to Catherine of Aragon. The pope
depends on good old Chucky for military
protection. If the pope gives Henry a divorce,
Charles V will no longer protect the papal states.
^ effect: If the pope gives Henry a divorce,
Charles V will no longer protect the
papal states.
- problems with the Catholic Church: Henry marries Anne in
spite of the friction it causes with the Church.
The Reformation Parliament
- Parliament passes laws ending pope’s power in England
- Henry remarries, becomes official head of England’s
Church
- Thomas More refuses to go against Catholic Church and is
beheaded
- with the backing of Parliament: With Parliament’s
support, Henry decides to break away from the
Catholic Church and form his own religion.
- what he was trying to show: He claimed his action was
the will of the English people--- even if it wasn’t.
- 1534: Act of Supremacy - law of Parliament that legally
separated the Church of England from the Catholic
Church, and made the king (in this case, Henry) the
head of the English Church.
**** Now Henry can give himself a divorce and it’s legal!
- daughter with Anne: Elizabeth I
Still no son. Time to get rid of Anne and find a new wife. Henry couldn’t just divorce her because he would look bad to the people. So, he trumps up a charge of treason against her. She was NOT guilty of treason.
- execution of Anne Boleyn: beheaded
* reason: for treason
- Jane Seymour: Henry VIII’s third wife; mother of Edward.
* Edward VI: only male heir of Henry VIII; ruled with a
council of lords beginning at age 9. He
really didn’t do much of anything.
England continued to be Protestant.
^ effect of his death: Back to the problem of
who should rule. The Lords decided to
allow Mary to rule…hopefully able to
control her like they did Edward.
Didn’t work. Mary decides to rule for
herself… sort of.
Consequences of Henry’s Changes
- Henry has six wives and three children
- Religious turmoil follows Henry’s death (1547)
- Protestantism under King Edward, then Catholicism
under Queen Mary
- Mary I: daughter of Henry VIII; married to Philip II of Spain
– another Catholic country. England needed
strength.
* Mary and Philip have no children. She develops a
brain tumor and it affects her thinking. Made her
really paranoid too.
* her reign: 1553-58; really bad
* changes she made: tried to restore Catholicism as
the official religion of England; executed
hundreds of Protestants by having them burned at
the stake.
* “Bloody Mary”: nickname she earned, but it
strengthened the popular support for
Protestantism.
- 1558: Mary I dies. Elizabeth takes over… and she will rule
for herself.
Elizabeth Restores Protestantism
- Henry’s second daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, forms
Anglican Church
- Anglican Church is acceptable to moderate Catholics and
Protestants
Elizabeth I: English queen who, in order to unite her people,
made the English Church Protestant with Catholic
features.
- changes she made: made the English Church Protestant
with Catholic features – now called
Anglicanism.
* Anglicanism: a blend of Protestant belief with
Catholic practices: Also known as the
Church of England.
^ Puritans: Protestants who insisted on removing
ALL Catholic features from the Church of
England- wanted to “purify” it. Most
people didn’t want that. These extremists
finally fled England and went to America.
(We call them “Pilgrims”)
Elizabeth Faces Other Challenges
- Some Protestants and Catholics oppose Elizabeth
- Phillip II, Catholic King of Spain, threatens England with
the Spanish Armada.
- Elizabeth’s need for money brings conflict with
Parliament
Section 4: The Reformation Continues
As Protestant reformers divide over beliefs, the Catholic Church makes reforms.
2 reasons for division in the Protestant Reformation:
1.) Reformers did not believe in the same methods
2.) Reformers did not even agree on the same goals.
Religious Reform in Switzerland
- Swiss priest Huldrych Zwingli calls for Church reforms
(1520)
- War breaks out between Catholics, Protestants; Zwingli
killed (1531)
Huldrych Zwingli: leader of the Protestant movement in Switzerland who wanted to completely break from the Catholic Church and create a theocracy in Zurich.
- dates: 1484-1531
- where: Zurich, Switzerland
- 2 beliefs:
1.) Stressed salvation by faith alone.
2.) Denounced many Catholic beliefs and practices
such as purgatory, and the sale of indulgences.
- how he differed from Martin Luther: Zwingli differed from
Martin Luther because he wanted to break
completely away from the Catholic Church.
- Zwinglism: Huldrych Zwingli’s ideas and practices of
Protestantism.
- theocracy: a church-run state.
- by 1525: Zwingli had achieved his goal in Zurich.
- 1531: Religious war broke out over Protestant missionary
activities in Catholic areas of Switzerland. Zwingli
and his followers (about 1,500) were defeated by an
army of 8,000 Catholics.
Calvin Formalizes Protestant Ideas and Leads the Reformation in Switzerland
- John Calvin writes Institutes of the Christian Religion
(1536): "We are sinful by nature and cannot earn salvation. God
chooses who will be saved— predestination."
- Calvinism—religion based on Calvin’s teachings
- Calvin says ideal government is theocracy—rule by religious leaders
- Geneva becomes a strict Protestant theocracy led by Calvin
John Calvin: Swiss religious leader who proclaimed the doctrine of predestination.
- where: Geneva, Switzerland
- 3 areas of education: theology, law, and humanism
* effect on him: prompted him study the Bible very
carefully and eventually formulate his
own Protestant theology.
- The Institutes of the Christian Religion: Book of John
Calvin’s protestant religion. Became one of the
most popular books of the day. Influenced
reformers in Europe and North America.
* date: published in 1536
- 3 points of his theology:
1.) God possessed all encompassing power and
knowledge.
2.) God alone directed everything that has happened in
The past, is happening in the present, and will
happen in the future.
3.) predestination: the belief that God predetermines
each person’s fate.
- his ideal for Geneva: Calvin wanted to turn it into a model
religious community.
- the Consistory: a Church council of 12 elders, created by
John Calvin, that was given the power to
control almost every aspect of people’s daily
lives.
* 5 actions of the Consistory:
1.) All citizens were required to attend Reformed
church services several times each week.
2.) Inspected homes annually to make sure that
no one was disobeying any church law.
3.) Forbade fighting, swearing, drunkenness,
gambling, card playing, and dancing.
4.) Dispensed harsh punishments to anyone who