1. Roots of the Reformation: Problems within the Church European History

2. 1. Erosion of Papal Authority  In theory – pope governed the Church of Western Christendom  But New Monarchies weakened papal authority Church dependent on political relationships

3. 2. New Religious Movements  “heretical” religious movements challenge papal authority William of Occam (c.1290-1349), Low Countries – ind. piety, Scriptures key, imp. of leading a good, simple life John Wyclif (c. 1328-1384) & Lollards, England – reading Scriptures = basis; rejected transubstantiation  Peasant revolt of 1381 lessens his impact Jan Hus (c. 1369-1415) – criticized worldliness, advocated a return to unadorned religion; pope = “anti-Christ”; common man could reform the Church; communion = bread and wine

4. 3. Conciliarism  The rise in power of councils, due to Avignon Papacy and Great Schism weaken pope’s authority Council of Pisa (1409)  Election of third pope Council of Constance (1414-1418)  Hus burned at stake  Election of Pope Martin V = end of Great Schism Council of Basel (1431-1445)  Debate the unlimited authority of the pope Pope Pius II (1458-1464)  Execrabilis declares councils heretical – returns absolute authority of the pope

5. 4. Apparent Corruption Church’s authority more important than controlling or even appearing concerned about corruption  Selling of indulgences to increase papal treasury – Pope Leo X, Johann Tetzel, Albert of Hohenzollern  “God has given us the papacy – let us enjoy it!” – Poe Leo X  1/5 of all priests (Trent) kept concubines  Nepotism  Simony  Pluralism & Absenteeism  Estates-General (1484) & Diet of Augsburg (1510) call for reforms

6. Christian Humanist Reformers  Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) Christian Humanist from Netherlands  Educated by Brothers of the Common Life 1503 Handbook of the Christian Knight  “Philosophy of Christ” in daily life  Focus on inner piety (not ritual)  People need to understand the Scriptures and early church fathers = 1516 New Latin translation of Bible Church must…  Spread teaching of “philosophy of Christ”  Offer enlightened education in early Scriptures  Combat apparent corruption w/in the Church In Praise of Folly, 1511 “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.”

7. Christian Humanist Reformers  Thomas More (1478-1535) Lawyer, devote Catholic, studied Greek and Latin, friend of Erasmus Friend and confidant of Henry VIII – eventually Lord Chancellor 1516 wrote Utopia  Society is highly regulated for the moral welfare of all participants; communal ownership and care of property and community; little to no focus on material wealth, instead on well-being of society  However, More is a realist: “For things will never be perfect, until human beings are perfect – which I don’t expect them to be for quite a number of years.” 1535 martyred for his faith, as he would not aide Henry VIII in gaining a divorce from Pope Clement VII.