Beginnings of the Reformation

Reformation basics Major reform of Western Christianity Major reform of Western Christianity Limit wealth and power of clergy and bishops Limit wealth and power of clergy and bishops Educate clergy and laypeople Educate clergy and laypeople Break down division between clergy and laypeople Break down division between clergy and laypeople Questioned basic doctrines Questioned basic doctrines Authority of church Authority of church How salvation is mediated: through church and sacraments? How salvation is mediated: through church and sacraments? Relationship of church and state Relationship of church and state Importance of individual conscience Importance of individual conscience Inspired Catholic (“counter”) Reformation, Jesuits Inspired Catholic (“counter”) Reformation, Jesuits Established new churches Established new churches Protected by state; contributed to rising nationalism Protected by state; contributed to rising nationalism Beginnings of modern critique of religion Beginnings of modern critique of religion Questioned religious authority; promoted individual conscience Questioned religious authority; promoted individual conscience

Basics, cont. When? When? Beginning 1517 (Luther’s 95 Theses) Beginning 1517 (Luther’s 95 Theses) Where? Where? Esp. in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, England Esp. in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, England Why did it catch on? Why did it catch on? Aided by political protectors like Prince Frederick Aided by political protectors like Prince Frederick Aided by printing press (1450), caught public’s attention Aided by printing press (1450), caught public’s attention Types Types Magisterial: protected by magistrates/state officials; Lutheran and Reformed Magisterial: protected by magistrates/state officials; Lutheran and Reformed Radical: broader critique and not protected by state; Anabaptists Radical: broader critique and not protected by state; Anabaptists Catholic: reformed practices and clarified doctrine; Council of Trent Catholic: reformed practices and clarified doctrine; Council of Trent

What needed reform? Ground level Elaborate sacramental system mediated, obscured contact with God Elaborate sacramental system mediated, obscured contact with God Eucharist: seen, usually not received (bells at Mass, “hocus pocus”) Eucharist: seen, usually not received (bells at Mass, “hocus pocus”) Indulgences, relics Indulgences, relics Christ feared as Judge, Mary seen as merciful Christ feared as Judge, Mary seen as merciful Clergy and religious had much greater spiritual status than laity Clergy and religious had much greater spiritual status than laity Clergy Clergy Not necessarily educated or studied in scriptures Not necessarily educated or studied in scriptures Bishops Bishops Positions connected with land and wealth Positions connected with land and wealth Did not always live in diocese; not connected with people Did not always live in diocese; not connected with people Papacy Papacy 2, then 3 popes ( ): really infallible? 2, then 3 popes ( ): really infallible? Conciliarism never took hold in 1400s Conciliarism never took hold in 1400s Fighting with political rulers over ultimate power Fighting with political rulers over ultimate power Very decadent Renaissance popes: opulent wealth, kids, mistresses Very decadent Renaissance popes: opulent wealth, kids, mistresses

Martin Luther ( ) Monk, Bible professor Monk, Bible professor Key years: (excommunication) Key years: (excommunication) Personal breakthrough: cannot earn salvation Personal breakthrough: cannot earn salvation Theology of the time: “Do what is in you” Theology of the time: “Do what is in you” Luther: what is in you is never good enough for a perfect God Luther: what is in you is never good enough for a perfect God Therefore, salvation is pure gift from God Therefore, salvation is pure gift from God Scripture, grace, faith are central Scripture, grace, faith are central Critiques church authority and mediation Critiques church authority and mediation

For next time Letter to the German Nobility (1520) Letter to the German Nobility (1520) Know the “three walls” Know the “three walls” How does Luther distinguish political and spiritual authority? How does Luther distinguish political and spiritual authority?