Class 6: Anabaptists and English Reformation 30 January 2019

Introduction Anabaptists and English Reformation are really theological ‘bookends’ of reformation Anabaptists known as ‘Radical Reformers’ English Reformation leads to Anglicanism, most like Catholicism

Beginnings of Anabaptists (Radical Reformation) 14th C ancestor was Brethren of Common Life In 16th C a collection of many small splinter groups in Switzerland and Germany Started in Zurich first as supporters of Zwingli and then moved beyond him Initial issue was infant baptism (radical understanding of sola gratia, sola fides) Luther, Zwingli and Calvin accepted it Anabaptist reject infant Baptism, required converts to be re-baptized The rejection of infant Baptism also included rejection of Church as a society into which one is born (radical understanding of sola scriptura) Reject notion of one Church, No creedal statements

Anabaptist Separation from State Individual Christian in relation to God with only Scripture as a guide Rejection of liturgy, images Formed a ‘state within a state’; rejected normal obligations of citizenship: taxes, military service Separation of small communities of true Church and State Exclusivists communities Seen as posing a radical threat to all other Churches and political systems As a result, persecuted by all: Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinists

Anabaptists ‘beliefs’ Rejected infant baptism; sacraments in general Rejected true presence in Eucharist Iconoclasts Sometimes described as Spiritualists God does not work through material signs Only radical in-breaking of Spirit into a person’s soul leads to salvation “me and Jesus” Anticlerical; only belief in priesthood of all believers Recall Luther required training for Pastors Calvin wrote massive Institutes

Schleitheim Articles 1527 Written at a meeting of non-Lutheran, non-Zwingli Protestants in Swiss town of Schleitheim Only two classes of people: good and bad Shepherd is anyone who is godly Radical separation of believers from world Some groups today that trace to Anabaptists: Baptists, Mennonites, Amish, (Quakers)

Reformation in England: opposition to Luther and Calvin Henry VIII initially opposes Luther, remains faithful to Rome Cardinal Wolsey excommunicates Luther and burns his books, 1521 Thomas More leads intellectual attack against Luther in England

The King’s Great Matter Henry married Catherine of Spain in 1509 (daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, aunt of HRE Charles V) Marriage yields no male heir; only Mary Tudor survives childhood Pope Clement VII refused to annul marriage Note the request comes just after Charles V had sacked Rome and Clement not eager to further provoke Charles Angry that Cardinal Wolsey could not convince Pope to allow an annulment; Henry replaced Wolsey with Thomas More as Chancellor of England Henry secretly married Anne Boleyn in 1533 Henry declared himself head of Church in England 1534 with Act of Supremacy Thomas More and others executed 1535 for refusing to give allegiance to Henry as head of the Church

Anglican Doctrine Very little doctrinal disagreement between Henry VIII and Rome Seven Sacraments, infant baptism accepted Real Presence in Eucharist (transubstantiation) Retain much of Catholic liturgical elements Retain notion of apostolic succession, but now through archbishop of Canterbury Priestly celibacy continued until Henry VIII’s successor, Edward VI

Edward VI (1537-1553) Only surviving son of Henry VIII; mother was Jane Seymour Becomes king at age 9; dies at 15 Edward moves Church of England toward a more Protestant, less Catholic position Thomas Canmer, Archbishop of Canterbury

Thomas Cranmer (1489 -1556) Archbishop of Canterbury when Henry VIII breaks from Rome Archbishop and guiding force during reign of Edward VI Cranmer shaped many Anglican views Abolish priestly celibacy, liturgy in English Book of Common Prayer Thirty-Nine Articles are based on his works When Edward dies, succeeded by Mary Tudor Cranmer tortured and recants his departure from Catholicism At his execution at the stake, he states he wants his hand that signed the recantation to burn first. He dies unrepentant.

After Henry VIII and Edward VI: Mary Tudor Mary was the only child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon Because no male heir after Edward, Mary becomes queen as eldest daughter in 1553 Mary devoutly Catholic Marries Phillip II of Spain, son of Charles V English Protestants were persecuted, many executed; “Bloody Mary” Mary died 1558; her half sister Elizabeth becomes queen Protestantism restored

Queen Elizabeth I Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Re-establishes Protestantism as official religion of England Act of Supremacy of 1559 recognized Elizabeth as head of Church in England But does not execute Catholics Statement of beliefs in Thirty Nine Articles Tried to be a middle way between Catholic doctrine, liturgy and evangelical Protestantism Example: denied transubstantiation; accepted real presence Some Protestants did not accept this; Known as “Puritans” who wanted a pure church Also, wanted radical acceptance of priesthood of all believers, known as Presbyterians; led by John Knox who had studied in Geneva while Mary Tudor reigned

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) Not to be confused with Mary Tudor Only child of James V of Scotland; As great-grand daughter of Henry VII, also had strong claims to English throne after Mary Tudor’s death (Elizabeth being considered illegitimate, at least in Catholic circles) Succeeded her father to throne at a very young age Raised in France; married Francois II (son of Henry II) While in France, England seizes Scotland Elizabeth encourages growing puritan movement in Scotland and Presbyterians evangelize Catholics there Mary returns to Scotland after the death of Francois II; is captured and imprisoned by Elizabeth After 19 years, executed over Catholic plots to overthrow Elizabeth. However, Mary’s son (by a second marriage), James, succeeds Elizabeth in 1603 James brought up as a Presbyterian in Scotland while his mother is in prison Strong belief in divine right of kings

Models of Church-State Development Catholic: Two powers, but Pope over civil rulers Lutheran: Civil rulers over Church (Romans 13) Calvinists: Combined into one ruling body to form a holy community Anglican: King head of Church and State Anabaptists: Perfect congregation within broader evil society; witness to, but does not try to change broader society

Assignments 1. Schleitheim Confession of Faith 7.10 in The European Reformations Sourcebook. ed Carter Lindberg. Malden: Blackwell, 2000. p. 132-133. 2. Thirty Nine Article of Church of England. 12.21 in The European Reformations Sourcebook. ed Carter Lindberg. Malden: Blackwell, 2000. p 232-234. Short Paper and Discussion Due on Friday