John Calvin and Calvinism John Calvin presented further challenges to the Catholic Church. Like Luther, he rejected elaborate church rituals and stressed the importance of the Bible. He wrote a book entitled Institutes of the Christian Religion. In it he set forth his religious beliefs. He believed that salvation was gained through faith alone. He too believed that the Bible was the only source of truth. He preached the idea of predestination, which was the idea that God predetermined who would gain salvation. To Calvinists the world was divided into sinners and saints.

Calvin set up a religious sanctuary in the city- state of Geneva, Switzerland for Calvinists only. He set up a theocracy—which is a government run by church leaders. Calvin’s followers in Geneva saw themselves as a new “chosen people” to build a Christian society. Calvinists stressed hard work, discipline, thrift, honesty, and morality. Citizens faced fines or other harsher punishments for offenses such as swearing, laughing in church, or dancing. He closed theaters and frowned on elaborate dress. Like Luther, Calvin believed in religious education for girls as well as for boys.

The Spread of Calvinism Reformers visited Geneva and returned to their homes to share Calvin’s ideas. Calvinism quickly took root in areas in Germany, France, the Netherlands, England, and Scotland. The challenges to the Catholic Church resulted in bloody wars.

The English Reformation By the 1500’s some religious leaders and England were toying with Protestant ideas. The split with the Catholic Church however was not the work of religious leaders, but rather King Henry VIII. At first Henry stood firmly against the Protestant Reformation and was rewarded the title “Defender of the Faith” from the Pope. Henry was married and had one child “Bloody” Mary. Henry firmly believed that England’s future relied on him having a son to secede him. However, Catherine was unable to provide him with a son. He began to seek an annulment, which was against the Catholic religion.

Divorce and annulments were not allowed by the Catholic Church. Henry decided to take over the Church. He passed the Act of Supremacy which gave him total authority over the Church. This Church became known as the Church of England or the Anglican Church. For the most part, he rejected Protestant ideas. The Church primarily followed Catholic teachings. His marriage was annulled and he remarried only to have another daughter, Elizabeth. Henry married four more times and had only one son who took the throne at the age of ten, but died at a young age.

After Edward’s death Mary was determined to return England to the Catholic faith. Under Mary hundreds of Protestants were burned at the stakes, hence her nickname “Bloody Mary.” After her death Elizabeth I took the throne. She started a series of reforms known as the Elizabethan Settlement in which she compromised between the Catholics and Protestants. She preserved Catholic principles and accepted moderate Protestant practices. While preserving Catholic teachings, she made England a firmly Protestant nation.

The Catholic Reformation The situation in Europe didn’t look very good for the Catholic Church. The Catholic Reformation was supported by the Jesuits, reform of the papacy, and the Council of Trent. The Jesuits, or the society of Jesus worked to restore Catholic faith through education. The papacy was reformed. The pope and an appointed commission believed that the problems the religion had were caused by the corruption in the Church. The Council of Trent worked to revise Catholic beliefs. –They believed that the faith and good works ideas were necessary for salvation. –Belief in indulgences and purgatory was strengthened, but selling indulgences was outlawed.

After the Council of Trent met the Catholic Church entered a new phase and had a renewed spirit and confidence.