1. The Protestant Reformation
Notes #3
The Protestant Reformation

2. What is the Protestant Reformation ?
A movement that called for reform in the Catholic Church A Protestant is someone who is a Christian but who is NOT a Catholic.

3. Why was there a need for reform?
To address the abuses in church practices
These abuses included:
Simony – sale of church offices
Pluralism – the holding of more than one church office at once.
Nepotism – appointing family/friend to church office
Uneducated clergy
Lavish lifestyle of the upper clergy
Selling of indulgences; lessened one’s time in purgatory to get into heaven quicker.

4. Catholic Doctrine (beliefs)
Sin and Salvation:
Salvation (Justification) is through good works
Sins could be balanced by one’s good works
Ultimate Source of Authority:
Pope is the ultimate authority
The Pope was considered God’s representative on earth & was infallible (perfect)
Clergy were supernatural; meaning
they had direct access to God.
Good works
Good works
SINS
SINS

5. Catholic Doctrine (beliefs)
Rituals and Worship:
7 sacraments – baptism, reconciliation, communion, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, anointing of the sick
Latin services and Latin Bible
Transubstantiation: the turning of the bread and wine into to the actual body and blood of Christ
Community Life:
One’s spiritual life began to take a back seat to worldliness

6. Who are our 2 Protestant Reformers?
Martin Luther:
Angered by indulgences, Luther writes the 95 Theses.
Luther’s beliefs:
1. Salvation is through faith alone
2. Sole source of religious truth is the Bible
3. Church authority – clergy had no special
powers; all believers have access to God.
4. Bible should be in the vernacular
5. Reduced sacraments to 2 (baptism & communion)

7. Who are our 2 Protestant Reformers?
Response to Luther:
Many saw him as a hero
Catholic Church asked Luther to recant; or take back his beliefs.
Luther refuses & is kicked out of the church.

8. Who are our 2 Protestant Reformers?
John Calvin
Held the same basic beliefs as Luther
Ideas that differed from Luther:
Predestination – the idea that God has already predetermined (decided) who will be saved.
Believed in theocracy – that the church controlled the State government
Response: not liked by Catholics or
Lutherans