1. The Protestant Reformation
Preview
Main Idea / Reading Focus
Catholicism in the 1400s
Martin Luther
The Spread of Protestantism
Faces of History: John Calvin
Protestantism Spreads to England
Map: Spread of Protestantism

2. The Protestant Reformation
Main Idea
Criticism of the Roman Catholic Church led to a religious movement called the Protestant Reformation and brought changes in religion and politics across Europe.
Reading Focus
What was the state of Catholicism in the 1400s?
How did Martin Luther challenge the Catholic Church?
How did Protestantism spread to other areas?
What were the effects of the Reformation in England?

3. The Renaissance and Reformation
Section 3: Then Protestant Reformation
Witness History Audio: A Monk Rebels
Background to the Reformation
During a time of widespread poverty and violence, popes were living lavishly. One of the schemes used to support the activities of the church was the sale of indulgences for sins. Christian humanists in northern Europe protested such practices.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What kind of language does Luther use to make his points?” (He uses dramatic language, talking of “Casting the die for all eternity.”) ”What was Luther’s purpose in using such language?” (He is making it clear that reconciliation with the Catholic Church is impossible.)
Note Taking Transparency 103
1 of 5

4. Catholicism in the 1400s
Roman Catholic Church—influential, extravagant, and worldly
Some people felt church straying from spiritual roots
Concerns crystallized into the Protestant Reformation
Financial corruption, abuse of power, immorality
People’s respect for priests, monks, popes weakened
Heavy taxation also caused discontent
Dissatisfaction
Pope Leo X approved sale of indulgences
Needed money for St. Peter’s Basilica
Indulgences, pardons reduced a soul’s time in purgatory
Financing Basilica
Catholics believed dead went to purgatory, worked off sins committed
Sale of indulgences widely criticized
Government separate from the church
Working Off Sins

6. Early Reformers John Wycliffe Jan Hus
Two men stepped forward to challenge the church
Englishman John Wycliffe believed church should give up earthly possessions
His views unpopular with church officials
Was removed from teaching position
John Wycliffe
From Bohemia, Jan Hus preached against immorality and worldliness of Catholic Church
Excommunicated by Pope Gregory XII; later arrested, tried for heresy and burned at stake
These influential theologians openly criticized church
Beginnings of discussions that eventually led to reform
Jan Hus

8. What conditions led to the Protestant Reformation?
Summarize
What conditions led to the Protestant Reformation?
Answer(s): Church's financial corruption; immorality; abuse of power

9. The Renaissance and Reformation
Section 3: Then Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther: Catalyst of Change
Martin Luther, a German monk, led a revolt against the Catholic Church. He drew up 95 theses against indulgences. Copies began appearing throughout Europe. Luther also translated the bible into German so ordinary people could study it.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What kind of language does Luther use to make his points?” (He uses dramatic language, talking of “Casting the die for all eternity.”) ”What was Luther’s purpose in using such language?” (He is making it clear that reconciliation with the Catholic Church is impossible.)
2 of 5

10. The Ninety-Five Theses Stimulated Discussion
Martin Luther
Martin Luther’s public criticism of the church in 1517 marks the symbolical beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Martin Luther believed selling indulgences sinful
In theses, said indulgences had no power to remit sin
Criticized power of pope, wealth of church
Theses written in Latin, intended for church leaders, not common people
The Ninety-Five Theses
Nailing theses to church door common practice; doors used like community bulletin boards
Theses stimulated discussion among university intellectuals
Published, distributed across Europe, widely read by intellectuals, clergy, laypeople
Desire for reform grew
Stimulated Discussion

12. Luther’s Message Empowered the People
Following publication of theses, Luther continued to study, debate
Contradicted basic Catholic beliefs, insisted God’s grace cannot be won by good works; faith alone needed
1519, declared only head of Christian Church was Jesus, not pope
Empowered the People
Insisted that individual Christians should be own interpreters of scripture, Christian practices should come only from Bible
To aid this process, Luther translated Bible into German
Translation allowed more people to read Bible without aid of clergy

13. Reactions to Luther Church’s Response German Diet Edict of Worms
1520, Pope Leo X expelled Luther from the Church
1521, Luther summoned to appear before Holy Roman emperor Charles V
German Diet
Luther appeared before emperor, German Diet, or assembly, at city of Worms
Refused to change opinions
Edict of Worms
Emperor handed down Edict of Worms
Declared Luther to be outlaw, condemned his writings
Luther’s ideas spread
Protestant
1529, Charles V tried to suppress Lutherans in Germany
German princes issued protestatio, protest, against this
Term Protestant came from this

14. Identify Supporting Details
Describe the ideas of Martin Luther and how they contradicted the church’s teachings of his day.
Answer(s): God's grace cannot be won by good works but by faith; leader of church is Jesus, not pope; people can interpret scripture; practices come from Bible; challenged Catholic practices and the authority of the pope

15. The Renaissance and Reformation
Section 3: Then Protestant Reformation
The Reformation in Switzerland
Two reformers also were active in Switzerland—Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin. Calvin wrote a book that described his religious beliefs and that advised people how to start a Protestant church. Calvin divided the world into saints and sinners and believed that God had already determined who would gain salvation.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What kind of language does Luther use to make his points?” (He uses dramatic language, talking of “Casting the die for all eternity.”) ”What was Luther’s purpose in using such language?” (He is making it clear that reconciliation with the Catholic Church is impossible.)
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
3 of 5

16. The Spread of Protestantism
Luther’s stand against the church opened the door for others
Differing ideas on religious matters put forth.
As Lutheranism arose in Germany, new religious movements began in Switzerland and other places in Europe.
Born in Switzerland, entered priesthood at 22, preached ideas similar to Martin Luther’s
Many ideas viewed as radical
His church based on theocracy, government in which church, state joined; officials divinely inspired
Ulrich Zwingli
Many supported Zwingli, others did not, including Luther
Luther accused Zwingli of tampering with word of God
Without Lutherans’ support, Swiss Protestants vulnerable to attack by Catholics
Opposed by Luther
When the disagreement between Swiss Protestants and Catholics erupted into war, Zwingli was a casualty. He died in battle in 1531.

18. John Calvin Background Influenced by Augustine People Sinful by Nature
John Calvin most important Protestant reformer next to Martin Luther
Educated in France, influenced by Erasmus, Renaissance humanists
Supported reforms of Luther in Germany
Influenced by Augustine
Preached doctrine of predestination
God knows who will be saved, guides lives of those destined for salvation
Nothing humans can do, good or bad, will change predestined end
People Sinful by Nature
Geneva became theocracy under Calvin; strict laws regulated behavior
Strictness at heart of Calvinism’s appeal, gave sense of mission, discipline
Calvinists making world fit for “elect” who had been chosen for salvation

21. Make Generalizations
How did the ideas of reformers who came after Luther differ from those of Luther?
Answer(s): some were more radical; included ideas of theocracy, predestination

23. What caused the Reformation to spread to England?
Summarize
What caused the Reformation to spread to England?
Answer(s): the desire of Henry VIII to annul his marriage

24. The Renaissance and Reformation: Section 3
Note Taking Transparency 103
4 of 5

25. The Renaissance and Reformation: Section 3
Progress Monitoring Transparency
5 of 5