Outcome: Why was there a Protestant Reformation?

Reminder—what these terms mean: Protestant: Those who broke with the Catholic Church in the 1500s- 1600s Reformation: The schism generated by reformers, like Martin Luther In my opinion, four decisive factors were…

1. Emerging Nationalism It’s significant that the Reformation will appear first in Northern Europe, far away from Rome Northern secular rulers resent the great wealth of the Church and the tithes that go to Rome

1. This is a map of Germany during the Reformation How does this map prove that politics were involved in the Protestant Reformation?

You may remember from 8 th grade… …that it was the distance between Great Britain and her American colonies that generated a spirit of independence here. The same was true among kings and princes who would become Protestants in the 1500s.

2. Social Conflict The Church teaches that loaning money at interest— usury —is a sin, and that making a profit isn’t much better. Uh-oh. What about the bourgeoisie?

2. Social conflict Peasants are still resentful over the outcome of revolts. In the 1500s, they dislike anybody with great power and wealth—and that includes the Church.

2. A sign of conflict in European society… Is the wave of witchcraft persecutions that sweep Europe in the 1500s-1600s The vast majority of victims are women. Women outnumber men in many parts of Europe.

3. Another cause: Church materialism The best example of this are the Renaissance popes like Alexander VI (top) and Julius II (as Moses, by Michelangelo)

3. This materialism infects the entire church One example is simony: This refers to buying a church office—say, a bishopric or even a cardinal’s office

3. Here’s an old AP Essay that suggests what is happening to the Church

The chalice on the left was used by a 16th century Roman Catholic priest; the wooden cup shown on the right was used by a 16 th century Lutheran minister who had left the Catholic priesthood. How does the new cup reflect the ideals of the Protestant Reformation? (1979 AP Exam)

How in the world could you answer an essay like that?

3. Ideally, Church leaders are both holy AND capable administrators But simony invariably leads to poor leadership, and that in turn means incompetent parish (local) priests. ?? ?

3. Periodically, reformers within the Church have called it back to its roots A classic example is St. Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 1200s.

3. Thomas a Kempis is similar to Francis He leads The Brethren of the Common Life and writes a book, The Imitation of Christ

3. Both men seek a faith like this:

4. A final factor in bringing on the Reformation… Is the invention of the printing press The more rapid production of books means that Bibles become more affordable So….?

4. Literacy and access to information is a force that’s hard to fight In early America, teaching a slave how to read was against the law In both Nazi Germany and the Communist Soviet Union, owning a radio that wasn’t state-approved could get its owner a sentence to a labor camp

4. So Church leaders fear… Europeans who can read in their own vernacular. How did the use of Latin in all its communications and in the communion service—the Mass---give priests and their superiors in the Catholic hierarchy immense power?

4. It’s significant that the Reformation begins… With the protest of a professor—Martin Luther And literate people in general terrify those in power—they have a distressing tendency to

By the early 1500s, the Church has reached a low point… Martin Luther will post his charges that the Church is corrupt—95 of them!—on Facebook. The Pope will unFriend him.

Review… What is usury? Why is it a problem for the bourgeoisie? Why do kings and princes resent the Church? Waves of witch-hunts indicate social unrest. Why are the victims overwhelmingly women? How are Julius II and Alexander VI examples of poor role models?

A little more review… What is simony? How does this practice impact Church leadership? How is poor leadership manifested at the local, parish level? Who are two great reformers who had earlier called the Church back to its roots? Why is the printing press significant in bringing on the Reformation?