Protestant Reformation Protestant Reformation by: Sam Keating and Samantha Phillip

The Protestant Reformation - Background Information Martin Luther was a monk who criticized the catholic church. Luther was also upset because only the Pope and religious people could read Latin. In 1521, while in hiding, Luther translated the bible into German. People who agreed with Luther began to be called protestants, because they protested. Henry VIII wrote a book in 1521, attacking Luther views of the church, and was then titled by the Pope “Defender of Faith”.

Martin Luther Luther became a teacher at Wittenberg University in Indulgences were being sold by Johann Tetzel, to excuse people from their sins. Luther thought it was wrong that people were able to buy forgiveness for their sins. Luther was angry that the Pope had been making money off of this. Luther began to attack the Pope for many reasons, and his ideas spread to many other countries.

95 Theses Luther wrote “The 95 Theses” to criticize the indulgences. This pamphlet was not for public discussion, however contained 95 points that Luther felt needed to be argued. The pamphlet was removed from the church door of Wittenberg, and someone made copies translated it into German. North Germany helped Luther’s thoughts spread very quickly. Luther could not retrieve the original pamphlet back, which caused major consequences for Europe and led to the Reformation.

Printing of the Bible Gutenberg worked with single sheets of paper and small books in Latin before creating the Bible in In the Bible, 300 different pieces of type are used. More than one press was in use by Gutenberg. People have guessed that 180 – 145 copies of the Bible were printed on paper. Two expensive for a wealthy individual to buy, they were only purchased by Churches.

Calvinism Jean Calvin grew up with a strict Roman Catholic family. Calvin was a renaissance man, having been educated in many subjects. His close friendships with people with similar ideas made him decide to switch to the Reformed faith. After he fled from Paris, he traveled around preaching and writing. Calvin stayed in Strasbourg till his death where he lived in peace as a pastor.

The Church of England Henry VIII was head of the Roman Church. Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife because she could not produce a male son. Catherine of Aragon was too old to have anymore children. He broke away from the Roman Church because they believed in marriage for life. The divorce was against the opinion of the Pope.

The Counter-Reformation The catholic church had ideas of splitting the church in half. They went through centuries of resistance. Some ways of living were strict. The biggest reaction to criticisms was the Society of Jesus, founded by Ignatius of Loyola in the 1530s. While recovering from and injury, Ignatius was moved by the classics of Christianity, and became deeply dedicated to life.

The Council of Trent Future ideas of changes had to be discussed with the pope first. Pope Paul III found the Council of Trent. Popes did not want to loose their power. The pope had easy control because most of the bishops were Italian. Paul apposed reforms, because they could do financial damage to him self and his authority.