The Protestant Reformation

R. H. Bainton The Reformation of the 16c Thus, the papacy emerged as something between an Italian city-state and European power, without forgetting at the same time the claim to be the vice-regent of Christ. The Pope often could not make up his mind whether he was the successor of Peter or of Caesar. Such vacillation had much to do with the rise and success of the Protestant Reformation.

Outgrowth of Past Ideas Humanists RABELAIS -->. SIR THOMAS MORE --> ERASMUS --> Reformers LUTHER --> JOHN CALVIN -->

Causes of the Reformation Long-Term Causes Political Economic Intellectual Church Abuses Early attempts to reform

Immediate Causes Church corruption Marsilius of Padua  Defensor Pacis [Defender of the Peace] Attacked papal authority The Christian community is the sum of ALL its parts! Development of personal devotions  suspicion of clergy Greed of secular leaders  1/3 of Europe  church land Papal need for money  indulgences Printing Press

The Spread of the Printing Press

The Holy Roman Empire in the 16c

The Spread of Lutheranism

Theological Principles Justification by faith Ultimate authority of the Bible Priesthood of all believers Each person must deal with God directly -- each person is his/her own priest. Consubstantiation No difference between the laity and the clergy Kept bishops for administrative purposes. Refusal to recognize the authority of the Pope. Married clergy. Religious services in the vernacular The Church is subordinate to and the agent of civil authority

The Peasant Revolt - 1525

Calvin’s World in the 16c

Theological Principles .      Doctrine of Predestination Task of the "elect" is to carry forward God's will expressed in Bible Placed church (religion) above the state (political unit) Strict interpretation of the Bible     rejected papal authority Scorned pleasures as the idle activities which allowed the devil to influence one's actions; no smoking, drinking, gambling, blaspheming, dancing, music in religious services. Only "sacraments" were Baptism and the Eucharist (were only a symbol of God's presence). Consubstantiation. Church elders administered to the congregation (presbyters). Too much leisure time leads to sin. Set up logical and systematic theology appealing to many Effort to prove oneself as a member of the "elect" becomes the basis of the “Protestant work ethic” as noted by sociologist Max Weber

Protestant Churches in France (Late 16c)

The Reformation in England It was more political than religious Henry VIII feared leaving England without a Male Heir. Act of Supremacy Transubstantiation A celibate clergy Oral confession to a the clergy Key people Anglican Church The Tudor Family

Dutch persecution of Anabaptists (Mennonites) The Anabaptists “Radical” Dutch persecution of Anabaptists (Mennonites)

Theological Principles Belief in adult, not infant, baptism Believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible as the word of God Believed in the "second coming" of Christ in the very near future Consider themselves to be the true heirs to the New Testament church, by allowing only those practices that were expressly sanctioned or ordained by scripture

Reformation Europe (Late 16c)

Common Features of Protestantism Rejection of Papal Authority Priority of the Bible Rejection of Medieval Sacramental System Priesthood of Believers Includes the celebration of communion in ‘both kinds’, the belief in the religious value of secular vacations and active role played by the laity in Church matters Rejection of Catholic belief in Purgatory Diminished role of the cult of saints and the adoration/devotion expressed towards Mary

The Counter Reformation New Religious Orders Society of Jesuits Oratory of Divine Love Council of Trent Church Reforms

Short Term Results Decrease in the influence of the Church Increase in materialism Increase in the power of monarchs Nationalism Individualism Education Warfare Religious Toleration Architecture

Long Term Results Destroyed the religious unity of Europe Furthered the growth of the modern secular and centralized state. Indirectly Protestantism contributed to the growth of political liberty Advanced the idea of equality Contributed to the creation of an individualistic ethic. The Reformation’s stress on individual conscience may have contributed to the development of the capitalist spirit