Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther Forerunners of the Reformation: Wycliffe & Hus. Luther film (questions). Luther’s Christian Liberty. Luther’s small catechism for children. Enchiridion der Kleine Catechismus by Martin Luther printed by Jacobum Berwald in Leipzig 1549. Title page from the Enchiridion. Note the parts of the title printed in red and the extensive woodcut illustrations surrounding the title block. Invention of movable type and modern printing perfected in Mainz, Germany in 1450. Made the dissemination of books possible. Luther’s Catechism

John Wycliffe (1330-1384) English philosopher, theologian & reformer Criticized the corruption of the church Advocated translation of the Bible into English Maintained that the Bible was the sole criterion of doctrine Attempted to limit the authority of the pope Attacked the doctrine of transubstantiation Condemned by the council of Constance in 1415 Luther had forerunners. Many issues of the reformation were raised before Luther. Taught at Oxford. Scripture must be studied by laity. Common people should read & interpret the scriptures. Subsequent developments. Disarray in politics. Avignion papacy & the great schism: Urban VI in Rome and Clement VII in Avignion. Council of Pisa (1409) deposed both popes and installed the third one. The latter, however, refused to comply. The council of Constance (1414-18) deposed all three popes and installed a new one, Martin V. Black death on the continent. Eucharist: W. denied transubstantiation on moral grounds. Bread remains bread. Substance & accidents: two complementary categories of Aristotelian logic. Substance is what makes a thing what it is. Accident is a nonessential attribute. That without which the thing remains what it is.

Jan Hus (1372-1415) Bohemian reformer influenced by Wycliffe’s ideas about the authority of scripture protested against the sale of indulgencies burned at the stake in 1415 Bohemia=modern Czech Republic. Influenced by Wycliffe’s ideas. Translated Wycliffe’s writings into Czech. Provoked by the scandal of the great schism. Burned at the stake. The church of Hussites—century before the Reformation. Hus at the council of Constance

Passing on the Flame of the Reformation This is a reminder that the Reformation did not begin with Luther. John Wycliffe making sparks, Jan Hus lighting a small torch from him, Luther taking the flame from Hus and passing a huge torch to his successor, Philip Melanchton. Reformation woodcut.

Factors in favor of the Reformation in 16th c. Duke Frederick the Wise of Saxony (left) protected Luther. Printing press (right) made wide and fast dissemination of Reformation’s ideas possible.

Johann Tetzel, mighty preacher of indulgencies The last line of this woodcut reads: “as soon as the gold in the basin rings, right then the soul to heaven springs.” What provoked Luther?

Reformation woodcut Left: Christ out of heartfelt humility washed the feet of his disciples Right: Out of pride the pope makes emperors and kings kiss his feet. From Philip Melanchton’s Passionale Christi und Antichristi. 1521. Woodcut: Lucas Cranach.

Protested against the sale of indulgencies in his 95 Theses Martin Luther (1483-1546). German Reformer Protested against the sale of indulgencies in his 95 Theses Advocated the principle of sola scriptura Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone Criticized the doctrine of transubstantiation Studied to be a lawyer. Lightening. Promises to St. Anne to become a monk. And so he does. Ponders a question how a sinful man can stand before the righteous God. Confesses all his sins in the most minute detail. in Comment. on Galatians he reveals that those confessions did not help him to overcome his sins of concupiscence, etc. and that what liberated him was faith and assurance that God justified him through the vicarious sacrifice of Christ (148). Individual experience becomes normative. Tower experience: righteousness of God is not demanding justice, but mercy. It makes righteous that which is sinful. Rediscovered Paul, esp. Romans and Galatians.

Luther at the Diet of Worms (1521)

Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) Swiss Reformer Preacher in Zurich Agreed with Luther on authority of scripture, church councils could make mistakes, married clergy. Disagreed with Luther on the doctrine of the Eucharist Iconoclasm Congregationalism Influence on Disciples of Christ, Baptists, and others

John Calvin (1509-1564) Came from France Settled in Geneva Doctrine of election and double predestination Presbyterians in the US

The Radical Reformation Voluntarist Principle Believer’s Baptism Restorationism Strict Moral Code Generally persecuted in Europe Anabaptists, Amish, Mennonites

Catholic & Protestant lands, 16th c. Calvinism: Netherlands, Scotland, Switzerland. “A” means Anabaptist. Territorial Protestantism. The faith of a local prince became the faith of the people.