The Protestant Reformation

Erasmus and Christian Humanism The major goal of Christian Humanism was to reform the Catholic Church Humanists believed in the ability of humans to reason and improve themselves. Erasmus was the best known of the Christian Humanists. He believed that Christianity should show people how to live good lives on a daily basis rather than provide a system of beliefs that people have to practice to be saved Erasmus wanted reform within the Catholic church…he didn’t want to break away from the church. However, his work paved the way for the work of Martin Luther

Why Reformation? CORRUPTION IN THE CHURCH!! The Renaissances popes were often more concerned with politics, and power, than religious affairs. They were also preoccupied with money and used their church positions to gain wealth Since the leaders in the church were failing in their duties, people wanted reassurance of their salvation. How to get into Heaven? People began collecting relics in exchange for an indulgence which is a release from all or part of the punishment for a sin. The Church also sold indulgences in the form of certificates… Pay your money, get into Heaven.

Martin Luther Martin Luther was a monk and professor He studied the bible in order to find the answer to a problem – the certainty of salvation – which had bothered him for a while. Catholic teaching stressed that both faith and good deeds were needed, but Luther believed that faith in God alone would earn one entrance into Heaven. This idea was called “justification”

The 95 Theses Luther was PISSED about the selling of indulgences! In October of 1517, sent a list of 95 Theses to his church superiors. These theses were an attack on the corruption of the church and the sale of indulgences. Thousands of copies of the Theses were printed and spread through all of Germany. The Catholic church didn’t worry “Some drunken German who will amend his ways when he sobers up”

A Break with the Church Luther called on German princes to overthrow the Pope and establish a reformed German church. He abolished all of the Catholic Sacraments except for Baptism and Communion. He also allowed the priests to marry which went against the long-standing Catholic requirement that priests remain celibate/unmarried. The Catholic church excommunicated Luther in He was later made an outlaw within the Catholic empire.

The Rise of Lutheranism During the next few years, Luther’s religious movement became a Revolution. German rulers began to support Luther’s ideas and took control of the Catholic churches, forming instead state churches whose affairs were supervised by the government. The doctrine developed by Luther became known as Lutheranism, and the churches as Lutheran churches. This was the first protestant faith.

In England… The English Reformation was mostly about politics, not religion. King Henry VIII (remember all his wives?) used religion as a way to gain power. He helped to establish The Church of England which favored Protestant ideas. After Henry died, his daughter Mary took the throne and worked to restore England to its Catholic roots. She had over 300 heretics burned at the stake, earning her the title “Bloody Mary” Instead of moving people towards Catholicism, her violence only led more people to join the Protestant movement.

Effects on Family Protestants were important in developing a new view of the family. family was placed at the center of human life. No Celibacy necessary. Luther stated: “The rule remains with the husband, and the wife is compelled to obey him by God’s command. He rules the home and the state, wages war, defends his possessions, tills the soil, builds, plants, etc. The woman on the other hand is like a nail driven into the wall…so the wife should stay home and look after the affairs of the household, as one who has been deprived of the ability of administering those affairs that are outside and that concern the state. She does not go beyond her most personal duties.”

What about the Catholics? Catholicism also had a revitalization in the 16 th century, giving it new strength. The Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits, took a special vow promising loyalty to the pope and used education to spread their message endorsing Catholicism. Pope Paul III saw the need for change in the Catholic Church and set up a reform commission to end corruption. After the council, Catholic faith was renewed, and the Catholic faith entered a new phase, ready to do battle for their faith.