Protestant Reformation

Luther Starts the Reformation Background: For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church had little competition in religious thought and action. The resistance of the church to change led to the Protestant Reformation, which resulted in the birth of new political and economic institutions.

Causes of the Reformation Renaissance emphasis on secular ideas & the individual=challenged church authority Merchant wealth challenged the Church’s view of usury and northern merchants resented paying church taxes to Rome German and English nobility disliked Italian domination of the Church. Rulers resented the Pope’s control

Problems in the Catholic Church ◦ Corruption! ◦ The Church’s great political power and wealth caused conflict. ◦ Popes too busy with worldly affairs; not spiritual ◦ Priests & monks poorly educated & breaking vows

Calls for Reform Before Luther ◦ John Wycliffe & Jan Hus: Bible more authority than church ◦ Humanists: Thomas More, Erasmus

Luther Challenges the Church ◦ Took a stand vs. selling of indulgences ◦ 95 Theses: formal statement attacking the “pardon merchants”  October 31, 1517: posted on Wittenberg church door  Start of Reformation

Basic teachings:  Salvation by faith in God alone; not works  Church teachings on Bible alone; not traditions  All people in faith were equal

Catholic Church response ◦ excommunicated Luther ◦ Edict of Worms: Luther=outlaw & heretic ◦ Beginning of Lutheran Church ◦ The Hapsburg family and the authority of the Holy Roman Empire continued to support the Roman Catholic Church.

Reformation in Germany Princes in Northern Germany converted to Protestantism, ending authority of the Pope in their states. Conflict between Protestants and Catholics resulted in devastating wars Peace of Augsburg – German Princes allowed to choose

England Becomes Protestant

Henry VIII ◦ Wants annulment from Catherine of Aragon = no son ◦ Pope refused (Charles V, nephew) ◦ 1529: Reformation Parliament ends Pope’s power in England

◦ 1533: Married Anne Boleyn & divorced Catherine ◦ 1534: Break with pope official with Act of Supremacy  king head of church  seized all church land & closed monasteries

Elizabeth I – 3 rd to rule… Established national church in England- Anglican Church Tolerance for dissenters Expansion and colonialism Victory over the Spanish Armada (1588)

Expansion of the Protestant Movement - Calvin Begins Another Protestant Church

Calvin’s Teachings (Geneva) ◦ Predestination; cannot earn salvation ◦ Ideal government= theocracy ◦ Strict rules & rigid society = Calvinism

Spread of Calvinism ◦ Knox-Presbyterians ◦ France: Huguenots (Calvin’s followers) conflict with Hapsburgs (Catholics) ◦ Anabaptists-persecuted by Catholics & Protestants

Catholic Reformation

Ignatius of Loyola ◦ Leader of the Society of Jesus: Jesuits ◦ Three missions: schools, convert non-Christians, stop spread of Protestantism

Council of Trent, ◦ Church’s interpretation of Bible final ◦ Faith & good works needed for salvation ◦ Bible & church have equal authorities to guide Christian life ◦ Indulgences valid; false selling banned ◦ Inquisition used to reinforce Catholic doctrine

Legacy of Reformation The Reformation had its roots in theology, but it led to important economic and political changes. ◦ Flourish of Protestant churches ◦ Paved the way for modern nation- states: monarchy gained power ◦ Laid groundwork for rejection of Christian beliefs later centuries

Changing cultural values, traditions, and philosophies Growth of secularism Growth of individualism Eventual growth of religious tolerance