1. The Protestant reformation

2. I. Origins dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church
venerations of relics?
indulgences?
Erasmus & Christian humanism
believed in the ability of human beings to reason & improve themselves (influence of the classics?)
impt. of piety – inward religious feeling
Christianity should be about how one lives on a daily basis, not what practices the church tells you to complete

3. II. Martin Luther idea: justification by faith
became the primary teaching of the Protestant Reformation
Johann Tetzel – a Dominican priest who sold indulgences in Germany for Pope Leo X
“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”
95 Theses – posted on Oct. 31, 1517
challenged the sale of indulgences
translated into German and distributed throughout the German states
see handout

4. major issue – Where did authority lie in the Christian church?
the pope?
Scripture?
Luther quote
sola scriptura – “scripture alone”
changes in church practice
2 sacraments – baptism & the Eucharist
allowed members of the clergy to marry
all vocations have equal merit – one can serve God in his/her own calling
priesthood of all believers
Pope Leo X branded Luther as an outlaw, but the Duke of Saxony protected him
Edict of Worms

5. III. Political Implications
Luther called upon the German princes to reform the church
confiscate church wealth
abolish indulgences
was a way to assert local authority
the Peace of Augsburg (1555) recognized the existence of Protestantism in Germany

6. IV. Zwinglian Reformation
Ulrich Zwingli (Zürich, Switzerland)
beliefs:
abolished veneration of relics
removed paintings & decorations from church walls
instituted a simple style of worship
did not ally with Luther due to a dispute over the Eucharist (communion)

7. V. Calvinism John Calvin (Geneva, Switzerland) beliefs:
justification by faith
all-powerful nature of God
predestination – God had determined in advance who was going to heaven (the elect) and who wasn’t (the reprobate)
this was an area where Calvin disagreed with Luther
sent missionaries across Europe
the Puritans were of the Calvinist tradition

8. VI. Anglican Church (Church of England)
political origins
Henry VIII wanted to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon (a Catholic) so that he could marry Anne Boleyn
the pope was reluctant to grant the annulment so Henry VIII took things into his own hands
the Act of Supremacy (1534) severed the church in England from the Catholic Church in Rome
the king was now the head of the Church of England
beliefs:
remained close to teachings of the Catholic Church
clergy had the right to marry
Henry’s actions led to chaos in England after his death
Edward VI – died w/o an heir
Mary Tudor – attempted to return England to Catholicism
Elizabeth I – back to Protestantism

9. VII. Anabaptism Anabaptist = to baptize again
part of the Radical Reformation
leader: Menno Simons
beliefs:
adult baptism
all believers were equal
any member of the church could be a minister
religious toleration
separation of church & state
pacifism
the Anabaptists were attacked by both Protestants & Catholics for their beliefs

10. VIII. The Catholic Reformation
3 parts
1. the Jesuits (Society of Jesus – founded by Ignatius of Loyola)
were educators
vowed absolute obedience to the pope
2. reforms in the papacy
recognized the corrupt practices of earlier popes, which in turn led to ...
3. the Council of Trent (which met between 1545 and 1563)
re-affirmed traditional Catholic teachings
faith & good works necessary for salvation
upheld seven sacraments & clerical celibacy
forbade sale of indulgences
led to a clear statement of Catholic church policy & doctrine