The Protestant Reformation AP European History Mr. Stepek
Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform Lack of credibility Black plague Why can’t the church protect the faithful? Avignon papacy French pope under influence of French king “Babylonian captivity” Later “Great Schism”: 2 popes @ same time One pope in Rome One pope in Avignon
Other factors influencing the Reformation Earlier movements: Forerunners to the Reformation Jan Hus John Wycliffe Influenced by Wycliffe Opposes church in Bohemia Burned at stake as a heretic Leads Lollards in England. poor priests who imitate Christ many beliefs similar to Luther Persecuted posthumously
Other factors influencing the Reformation Christian Humanism: links individualism with Christianity (Sir) Thomas More Erasmus Utopia (perfect society) Criticizes materialism by idealizing a “socialist” type society. In Praise of Folly Satirical look at church superstitions and abuses
de’ Medici as Popes Renaissance Popes sponsored by or from wealthy families elected by college of cardinals stacked with “nephews” of previous popes who had appointed them this is where we get the word “nepotism” like their “secular” relatives, they were concerned with projecting power through patronage. Raphael (School of Athens) Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel) lives of wealth and extravagance Leo X
Renaissance Popes
Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform concerned more with secular (temporal) rather than spiritual world Wants to maintain political power and wealth Papal state wars Julius II “The Warrior Pope” leads armies against Venice
Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform Scandalous Pope Alexander VI (Borgia) mistresses illegitimate children
Papal scandal and secularism Caricature of Pope Alexander VI by Martin Luther (1545) Lucretia Borgia sits on the Holy See in father’s absence
Roman Catholic Church is in need of reform corrupt sold church positions (simony) fees for services marriage, baptism, etc. to view relics = religious artifacts brothel tax/clergy mistress tax Indulgences = pardon for sins Johann Tetzel Used guilt and power of persuasion to become the Church’s best indulgence seller Luther movie clip (29:00 – 39:17)
Other factors influencing the Reformation Nationalism loyalty to one’s own land/people Germans resent foreign control Luther translates Bible into German Von Hutten riles against Roman control
Timeline of the Reformation 1517 1520 1521 1524 1530 1555 95 Theses (spread by printing press) Luther excommunicated Luther refuses to recant @ Diet of Worms HRE Charles V decl. Luther an outlaw while in hiding translates Bible into German Peasant’s War : class warfare 100,000 die (black mark on Luther’s legacy) ½ of German princes →Lutherans “Augsburg Confession” Catholic and Protestant factions make war “Peace of Augsburg” Charles V = each prince decide for territory
Basic Lutheran Beliefs (3) 1. Salvation by faith alone Not thru “good works” good works are rewards 2. Bible = only authority Church traditions are not valid unless explicitly stated in Bible 3. No need for priests People should interpret the Bible for themselves “priesthood of all believers” 2nd black mark on Luther Encourages Jews be punished for not converting to Lutheranism Anti-semitism