1. The Protestant Reformers

2. Early Reformers Erasmus John Wycliffe English
Challenged pope’s authority
Believed in the Bible translated into the “vernacular”
Criticized excesses of church
Criticized the privileged status of priests
“Free Will”
Wrote against church’s abuse of power
Wanted lay people [regular people] to have access to the Scriptures so that they could make their own decisions
Criticized church excess

3. Martin Luther Responsible for LUTHERANISM Major beliefs:
Salvation by faith alone
Bible as ultimate authority
All humans equal before God

4. JOHN CALVIN Calvin spread his ideas from Geneva, Switzerland to France
Responsible for Calvinism
Beliefs:
Predestination
Faith revealed through a religious life
Belief in a strong work ethic
Individual Control of personal behavior
Calvin spread his ideas from Geneva, Switzerland to France

5. Presbyterian Church Founded by John Calvin
Churches were run by presbyteries (representative assemblies of elders)
Inspired new ideas of democracy and federalism

6. PURITANS English reformers
Claimed to Church of England was still too “Catholic”
Wanted to purify the Church of England
Based on idea of “covenant” [contract] between God and man
Colonized U.S. (Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact)