The Reformation Chapter 11

Society and Religion Social and political conflict The Reformation first broke out in the Free Imperial cities in Germany and Switzerland. Guilds were often on the forefront of Reformation.

Popular Religious Movements and Criticism of the Church Reformation could not have happened without the earlier challenges to the Church’s authority Avignon papacy The Great Schism The Conciliar Period The Renaissance papacy Lay criticism of the church was growing Many sought a more egalitarian church

The Modern Devotion Also known as The Brothers of the Common Life, they fostered lay religious life without surrendering the world Clerics and laity shared a common life stressing individual piety and practical religion They have been seen as the source of humanist, Protestant and Catholic reform movements.

Lay control over religious life The benefice system, the sale of religious office to the highest bidder, was collapsing. Communities were loudly protesting financial and spiritual abuses, such as the sale of indulgences. City governments were endowing preacherships. Magistrates were restricting the growth of ecclesiastical properties and clerical privileges.

Martin Luther & the German Reformation Late Medieval German lacked the political unity to enforce large scale religious reforms. By 1517 discontent with the church was ripe enough for Martin Luther’s critiques to take hold. 1507, Luther was ordained 1510, On his visit to Rome, he found the German complaints about the Church to be accurate 1512, He earned his doctorate in Theology at the Augustinian Monastery in Wittenberg

Justification by faith Luther was plagued by his sense of a disconnect between the his own sinfulness and the perfect righteousness God required for salvation He concluded that God does not demand charitable acts and religious ceremonies, but just faith in Jesus Christ as perfect righteousness. Good works were expected, but did not earn one salvation.

Indulgences Though a priest could absolve a penitent of guilt, he still had an eternal penalty to pay. Absolution could turn that into a temporal punishment. The remission of that temporal penalty was an indulgence. Starting in 1343 the church started selling “letters of indulgence.” By Luther’s time, they were often sold for small cash payments. Luther’s protest in his ninety-five theses (October 31, 1517) was against the impression that indulgences remitted sin, which made it seem as if salvation could be bought and sold.

Charles V The Ninety-five theses were embraced by Nuremberg humanists, which made Luther a central figure in an already organized national German cultural movement. He was called before the general of his order to answer for his criticisms As sanctions were being prepared against him, Emperor Maximillian I died (1519), which turned attention away from Luther. Charles I of Spain succeeded his Grandfather and became Emperor Charles V

Luther’s Excommunication and the Diet of Worms June 27, 1519, Luther debated John Eck in Leipzig. Questioned the infallibility of the pope and the inerrancy of church councils. Appealed to the authority of scripture alone. These views were published in Luther was excommunicated on June 15, 1520 The Diet of Worms Presided over by Charles V Luther presented his views and was placed under the Imperial ban as well. Luther was forced into hiding, protected by the Elector Frederick

Imperial Distractions: War with France and the Turks Invasion of the Turks Charles V needed loyal German troops Sought friendly relations with German princes Hapsburg (Spanish) and Valois (French) Wars between 1521 and 1559 Four wars over disputed territories within Italy and along their borders German Diet of Speyer 1526 Each German territory free to enforce the Edict of Worms against Luther Gave the princes territorial sovereignty Also gave the Reformation time to put down roots in Germany and Switzerland Precedent for later law giving princely control over religion (Peace of Augsburg)

How the Reformation Spread Passed from the free hands of theologians and pamphleteers to the magistrates and princes Mandated new religious reforms Transformed ideas into law Politicization of religious reform Political and economic opportunities arise from demise of Catholic Church 1530s formed a powerful defensive alliance, the Schmaldkaldic League to do war with Catholic Emperor

The Peasant’s Revolt Internal division German peasantry believed Luther to be an ally Opposed secular and ecclesiastical leaders Sought “Christian” political and economic rights Lutherans were not social revolutionaries Peasant revolt against landlords Luther condemned them as “un-Christian” and urged princes to crush the revolt Freedom lay in inner spiritual release nor revolutionary politics

Other Reformations Zwingli, Calvin, and Protestant England

Zwingli and Zurich Switzerland 13 city-states; called cantons Some broke with Catholic Church, some remained Catholic Zwingli At twenty two became an ordained Priest 1517: called for religion based exclusively on the Bible 1518: attacked abuses: sale of indulgences 1519: Appointed “People’s Priest” 1520: Preach only what can be proven by scripture

Zwingli and Zurich 1523: Zurich Council officially adopted Zwingli’s reforms; first Protestant state outside of Germany Removed all religious images, relics, and ornaments from the churches of the city Even organs were banished Catholics denied some civic rights Local functions of Catholic church are stopped

Zwingli’s Theology Single theme to his work More strict and radical If the old or New Testament did not say something explicitly and literally, then no Christian should believe or practice it Causes two important shifts in Western religious experience The Bible becomes similar to law Standardized text If it is written in the Bible, it should be done exactly as written

Zwingli and Luther At first a strong supporter Luther not willing to give up ceremonies or practice literal reading of the scriptures Nature of the Eucharist Luther: Bread and wine spiritually transformed to the body and blood of Christ Zwingli: Eucharist only symbolized the body and blood of Christ Argument over the nature of Christ

Zwingli and Luther Threatened political alliances Zwingli and Luther would have to agree about the nature of Christ in order for Protestants in Switzerland and Germany to be safe Met in Marburg, October 1529 Discussions ended in failure Unification of various Protestant movements became impossible

Calvin Created a dominant pattern Originally a lawyer Northern humanism Church reform focus Geneva Primarily French speakers 1533: Reformers enter the city 1535: Became an official Protestant state Invited Calvin to build reformed church Most important work Organization of church governance based on Bible principles

Calvin Strict moral code imposed on citizens Literal reading of scriptures People of Geneva rebelled and exiled him and his followers in 1538 “The Institutes of the Christian Church” 1540: Invited back to Geneva Incorporated church into city government

Calvin Strict moral code imposed on citizens Literal reading of scriptures People of Geneva rebelled and exiled him and his followers in 1538 “The Institutes of the Christian Church” 1540: Invited back to Geneva Incorporated church into city government Became safe haven for protestants from all over Europe

Calvin’s Thought Literal reading of scripture Same as Zwingli Beyond Zwingli: Church, political, and social organization should also adhere to literal interpretation Division of Church organization Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Predestination Salvation pre-decided by God “elected” for slavation “Doctrine of the elect” or the “Doctrine of Living Saints” Voluntary associations