1. 13.3 The Protestant Reformation
OBJECTIVES
Summarize the factors that encouraged the Protestant Reformation.
Analyze Martin Luther’s role in shaping the Protestant Reformation.
Explain the teachings and impact of John Calvin.

2. Protestant Reformation
WHEN
It began in 1517
WHO
It was launched by Martin Luther
WHAT
The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement
Protestant = someone who protests
Reformation = to reform the Church
WHY
To “reform” means to improve – in this case the Church
Reformers, (Erasmus) wanted to improve the Church
Revolutionaries (Luther) had to leave the Church
They had no choice: The Church labeled them heretics and burned them at the stake

3. Protestant Reformation
HOW
Martin Luther broke away and formed his own church.
95 Theses – List of wrong doings by the Church (indulgences at top of list)
The Church said: To achieve salvation, you must do “good works”
The Bible (and Luther) said: You simply need to have faith.
Debated the idea of Pope/clergy being supreme
WHERE
Wittenberg, Germany
1521 Luther excommunicated
Edict of Worms – open season on Protestants
1530 Augsburg Confession – Luther supposed to recant
1555 Peace of Augsburg – Germany split in two (N vs. S), brought religious upheaval for next 100 yrs.

4. Religious Causes 1200s – 1300s, Pope was powerful.
Over centuries, the Pope became very powerful in Catholic Church
1200s: Pope at peak of power. More powerful than kings.
1300s: Strong kings emerge in England & France. Pope looses power
1309 – 1400, There was no leadership
1300s: No Pope in Rome
1309: Pope fled from Rome to Avignon, France (exiled)
1378: Pope moves back to Rome
Cardinals in Rome had elected another Pope
For 40 years, several men claimed to be Pope

5. Religious Causes Church ignores the individual Buying salvation
Years of unrest in Europe made people feel really religious (Black Death, 100 Years War)
Church looses site of its mission
Buying salvation
Indulgences: pieces of paper that a person could buy to get salvation
If you paid money, you could buy forgiveness of sins (even if you were dead) – indulgence
If you paid money, you could buy a job in the Church – simony
Money corrupted the Church – needed a lot of it to support heirarchy
The Church said: To gain salvation, you must do good works (a.k.a. Pay money)

6. Critics within the Church
John Wycliffe (1328 – 1384), English religious philosopher
Radical ideas:
People do not have to obey an unjust priest, bishop or Pope
Priests are not superior to regular people
The Bible (not the Church) is the ultimate authority
First to translate Bible into English
Wanted people to read it for themselves
Put on trial for heresy
Saved by king of England
Impact
Followers started their own church (The Lollards)
Average people found this church appealing
BACKGROUND
Began as Catholic priest
Became philosophy professor
Outraged b/c:
1300s was time of horrible suffering (Black Death, Hundred Years War)
Church full of corrupt people
Church did little to help the average person
Looked for solutions
Could an honest king punish a dishonest Pope?
Could an honest king overrule an unfair church law?
RADICAL IDEAS
Contrary to church teachings, priests do not perform miracles
During Communion, they do not turn bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ
IMPACT
Forerunner to the Reformation

7. Protestant Reformation
John Calvin (1509 – 1564), Switzerland
Religion
Agreed with other reformers:
Bible is supreme
Salvation by faith
Priesthood of all believers (anyone can commune with God)
Ministers perform sacraments (baptism & communion)
Influenced many Protestant churches:
France = Huguenots
Netherlands = Dutch Reformed Church
Scotland = Presbyterians
England/Colonial America = Puritans

8. Protestant Reformation
John Calvin (1509 – 1564), Switzerland
Believed in democratic principles
Elected leader of Geneva, Switzerland
Had a Representative, Constitutional Government
Separation of Church and State
Predestination: God chose the elect – those few who were saved
Never new who was saved or damned
Work hard & be thrifty
Sign you were among the elect: success with money

9. RESULTS Europe was divided. Counter Reformation, 1534 – 1598
North = Protestant
South = Catholic
Counter Reformation, 1534 – 1598
Church revitalized itself and halted spread of Protestantism
Nationalism
Each country got its own state church:
Germany = Lutherans
Scotland = Presbyterian
England = Church of England
Dissidents from any of these went to America