The Protestant Reformation

Causes of the Reformation?  Church corruption  Anger of Holy Roman Empire towards Church  Efforts of reformers, like Martin Luther & John Calvin  Secular leaders’ greed for Church land

Church Corruption Was all church corruption equal? –What was worse? Priests marrying? Simony (purchase of church offices)? Indulgences (“buying” salvation)? –They were ALL bad……!

Why did the Reformation Start in the Holy Roman Empire? No centralized state (390+ separate entities) Church controlled a lot of land in HRE Church took advantage of HRE lands and rulers –Weak, generally small states –Church taxed them, in addition to ruler’s taxes Most residents of HRE were angry at church

Martin Luther Luther’s background –Priest and professor, at U of Wittenberg (HRE) Offended by indulgences and John Tetzel, commissioner of Pope –Basis of indulgences: faith + good works = salvation –Tetzel : "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs." Wrote 95 Theses (arguments) against indulgences & Tetzel –Example: #86#86 –Challenged Tetzel to debate (ignored) –Luther used printing press to spread his side of argument

The Spread of the Printing Press Luther began pamphlet campaign, spreading his ideas Distance from HRE to Rome a factor –Took one year before first response from Church –1521 (four years later!): Luther excommunicated 1521: Diet of Worms –Luther ordered to appear for trial and execution –Luther attended, then… disappeared! Luther abducted by Electors who wanted to “convert” and rebel against church – why? TO TAKE CHURCH LAND! 100+ years of religious wars a result

Spread of Lutheranism

John Calvin ( ) John Calvin was a French lawyer Left Catholic Church around 1530 Fled France to Switzerland due to anti- Protestant violence in 1536 Wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion (His statement of belief) –Predestination All events have been willed by God Humans have no free will –The Elect God has chosen a small group of people for salvation Humans don’t know who the Elect are Elect naturally live life according to Biblical teachings

The Reformation in England Henry VIII had a problem….. –Wanted a divorce –Pope refused Henry’s response (1534) –Henry confiscated all Church land in England 20%+ of English lands Distributed to loyal noblemen –Started his own church = Anglican Church –King was head of church –Divorce was allowed

Reformation Europe (Late 16 c )

Effects of the Reformation Increase in Nationalism – identity to a nation of people vs. “Christendom” Bible translated into vernacular (English, German, etc) Catholic “Counter Reformation” Religious Wars