The Protestant Reformation

R. H. Bainton The Reformation of the 16c (1952) “Thus, the papacy emerged as something between an Italian city-state and European power. At the same time it claimed to be the vice-regent of Christ. The Pope often could not make up his mind whether he was the successor of Peter or of Caesar. Such vacillation had much to do with the rise and success of the Protestant Reformation.”

Causes of the Reformation? Church corruption: Too much politics Misuse of money – war, art, monuments Offices Simony, Pluralism, Benefice system, nepotism Avignon Papacy aka Babylonian Captivity. 2 Popes… Secularism – people were looking to sources other than the church for answers Greed of secular leaders  1/3 of Europe  church land Papal need for money  indulgences. St Peter’s and Tetzel Printing Press led to increased literacy - knowledge

The Holy Roman Empire in the 16c

Luther Gets the credit, but… Others had spoken out against the church and its “theology” John Wycliffe in England against the French Pope Jean Hus in ‘Czechoslovakia’ Savanorola in Florence tried to clean up morals – Bonfire of the Vanities….

Brothers of the Common Life “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas A Kempis. (may have been a copy of book by Gerard Groote)

The Spread of Lutheranism "I would never have thought that such a storm would rise from Rome over one simple scrap of paper..." (Martin Luther)

Worms HRE puts Luther on “trial” – defends position instead of recanting… "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." Edict of Worms. Declared a heretic. Luther excommunicated Why was he never caught? Changes: Ordinary dress Marriage Services in German Peasants saw these changes as a chance to end feudal system…

The Peasant Revolt - 1525 The poor see this as an opportunity to change everything… Did Luther support the peasants? WHY?

Zwingli Simplistic view: if the Old or New Testament did not say something explicitly and literally, then no Christian should believe or practice it. Led to disputes with Luther over Catholic practices Led to Marburg Colloquay, which did not have desired effect, rather the opposite

Failure fragmented the protestant church permanently Marburg Colloquay 1529 Philip of Hesse to unite Protestant church against HRE Debate over Eucharist and transubstantiation ‘hoc est corpus meum’. “this is my body” “this symbolizes my body” Failure fragmented the protestant church permanently

The result was an explosion of new “faiths” , as everyone tried to develop their own ideas on salvation!

Not Anti Baptist Rejected infant baptism Anabaptists chose to baptize after they were old enough to understand its significance. Enemies called them anti baptist

"Institutes of the Christian Religion" Calvin’s World in the 16c "Institutes of the Christian Religion"

Protestant Churches in France (Late 16c)

Protestant V Catholic (not for the last time) Diet of Augsburg - force Catholicism on HRE Schmalkaldic Articles written by Luther to lay out things protestants were prepared to compromise on. Rejected by RC Led to war (Schmalkaldic League) and Peace of Augsburg 1555 2 denominations RC and Lutheran (no Calvin!!) “Cuius regio, eius religio” – He who rules the land decides the religion.

English Reformation Enjoy the story: Lollards had begun the movement to reform church under John Wycliffe Separation from RC came under Henry VIII and his divorce issues. Henry reigned from 1509 - 1547 Enjoy the story:

What was the line of succession? Why? Henry VIII + Co (1509 – 1547) Catherine Aragon Divorced Daughter Mary Tudor RC Anne Boleyn Beheaded Daughter Elizabeth Tudor P Jane Seymour Died Son Edward Tudor P Anne Of Cleves Divorced - no children Katherine Howard Beheaded - no children Catherine Parr Survived - no children What was the line of succession? Why?

Henry VIII’s Children 1510 Daughter - died 1511 Son - died 1513 Son - died 1514 Son - died 1516 Mary - survived 1518 Daughter - died 1533 Elizabeth - survived 1534 Son - died 1535 unknown - died 1536 Son - died 1537 Edward - survived

Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond: Illegitimate Son of Henry VIII

The Anglican Church New Church founded by Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell Catholics could not accept it. WHY? Replaced the Pope! Required Oath recognizing Ed ward then Elizabeth as the heirs. Thomas More (King’s friend and advisor) executed. (A Man For All Seasons) Act of Supremacy made Henry the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England. Henry VIII took Catholic lands and sold them (including those in Ireland)

The Anglican Church New Act of Succession defined the order of succession – Edward, then Mary to be followed by Liz. This will create a lot of problems for the succession of British monarchs until the 1700s!

The Rest of the Tudors Edward VI – Crowned age 9. Devout P. Thomas Cranmer writes Anglican Bible Book of Common Prayer Determined to end RC influence in his realm. Dies young with no heir fortunately or we might have had Bloody Edward! Lady Jane Grey – Conned into taking throne by those afraid of losing influence. Named by her cousin Edward. She did not want it! Mary raises army. People refuse to support Jane. Mary declared Queen Mary – Bloody. RC and angry. Tries to return England to RC. Undoes her father and brother’s pro protestant legislation. Those who follow are welcome, those who don’t well… (see next slide) Dies with no heir.

The Death of Thomas Cranmer 1556 witnessed by an anonymous bystander And now I come to the great thing that troubleth my conscience more than any other thing that ever I said or did in my life: and that is, the setting abroad of writings contrary to the truth.  Which here now I renounce and refuse, as things written with my hand, contrary to the truth which I thought in my heart, and written for fear of death, and to save my life, if it might be: and that is, all such bills, which I have written or signed with mine own hand since my degradation: wherein I have written many things untrue.  And forasmuch as my hand offended in writing contrary to my heart, therefore my hand shall first be punished: for if I may come to the fire, it shall be first burned.  And as for the pope, I refuse him, as Christ's enemy and antichrist, with all his false doctrine.'  The Lord Williams cried, 'Make short, make short.'  And yet again he required him to agree to his former recantation.  And the bishop answered, (showing his hand), 'This was the hand that wrote it, and therefore shall it suffer first punishment.'  Fire being now put to him, he stretched out his right hand, and thrust it into the flame, and held it there a good space, before the fire came to any other part of his body; where his hand was seen of every man sensibly burning, crying with a  loud voice, 'This hand hath offended.'  As soon as the fire got up, he was very soon dead, never stirring or crying all the while. 

Elizabeth I A politique – one who puts the religious needs of the state above their personal beliefs. She recognizes the issues of religion but wants devotion to the state. Act of Supremacy reinstated but with concessions to Catholicism Ceremony Altars Vestments Eucharist Act of Uniformity – one church - any Catholic behavior was treason Book of Common Prayer and 39 Articles While all these professed Anti Catholicism, there was very little persecution as long as the offenders were discreet

Reformation Europe (Late 16c) Where does Protestantism flourish? Why?

Counter Reformation “Empire Strikes Back” New Religious Orders - Oratory of Divine Love Capuchins Ursulines Society of Jesus, 1540 Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) The Spiritual Exercises 3 “SHUNS” Educa-shun were they successful? Support your answer Preven-shun were they successful? Support your answer Conver-shun were they successful? Support your answer

Revived Papacy (less corrupt) Pope Paul III, 1534-1549 Reform commission Recognized the Jesuits Pope Paul IV, 1555-1559 Index of Forbidden Books Council of Trent, 1545-1563 Reaffirmed traditional Catholic dogma Relics, saints, images, good works Theological seminaries

The Social Impact of the Protestant Reformation Education in the Reformation Scholasticism out humanism in German gymnasium (still around) Geneva Academy Jesuits as educators The Family Positive view of family relationships Place of women - RC V Protestant… Religious Practices and Popular Culture Decline of superstition Reform of social practices Puritans