THE REFORMATION

INTRODUCTION The spirit of inquiry of the Renaissance and knowledge of widespread corruption in the Church led to new challenges of the Pope’s authority. Entering clergy for power rather than faith Unable to do job, had secret spouses and children Papacy lost spiritual influence as Church hierarchy acted more like secular rulers than spiritual leaders

THE BIG QUESTION Would a Protestant reformation have occurred without Martin Luther? What were the political, social, and religious changes that occurred as a result of the Reformation?

EARLY REFORMERS Erasmus (Dutch) – Thomas More (English) – promoted Christian humanism. Called for reform in the Church. Thomas More (English) – Another Christian humanist that called for Church reform Opposed King Henry VIII’s actions in creating a new church in England and was beheaded

MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546) A German monk and Bible scholar Opposed the sale of indulgences Pardons from punishment for sin Church sold them to increase revenue for the Church Posted Ninety-Five Theses (statements) on his Church door, challenging the Pope’s right to sell indulgences Translated the Bible into German

LUTHER’S BELIEFS Neither priests nor Pope’s have special powers to provide salvation Justification of faith – the only thing one needs to do to be saved is profess one’s faith Individuals must read and understand the Bible for himself or herself to achieve this faith

LUTHER’S FIGHT WITH THE CHURCH Pope excommunicated him (in defiance, he publicly burned the decrees) Was summoned to the Diet of Worms where he refused to recant (take back) his statements and was declared an outlaw Received protection from a number of German princes Started a new church, the Lutheran Church

COMPARING LUTHERANISM AND CATHOLICISM (put on left side) Lutheran Church Belief in justification of faith as only necessity to salvation Clergy not important (allowed to marry) Bible as the only source of authority Only two sacraments Catholic Church Belief in faith and good works as necessities to achieve salvation Clergy (Church hierarchy) necessary and no marriage for clergy Church hierarchy is an important source of authority Seven sacraments are necessary

LATER REFORMERS Luther’s ideas spread quickly due to the printing press (Gutenburg) John Calvin (1509-1564) started a new Protestant Church in Geneva (Switzerland) Taught predestination (fate already decided by God) Said while faith was the key to salvation, it was God who gave faith to some and denied it to others (only the “Elect” would be saved) Stressed hard work and a strict moral code (no gambling, drinking, swearing, dancing, singing, etc.) Saw worldly success as a sign of God’s favor

THE CATHOLIC COUNTER-REFORMATION Council of Trent – redefined Catholic beliefs and ended the sale of indulgences Established the Inquisition – court to punish heretics (also banned Protestant books) The Jesuits – an order of monks founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1534 dedicated to defending and spreading the Catholic faith

POLITICAL IMPACT OF THE REFORMATION Under the leadership of the Pope and support of the Holy Roman Emperor, Catholics checked the spread of Protestantism (even won back some areas) Wars between Catholics and Protestants began in the 1520s and lasted for more than 100 years (about 1/3 of the German population was killed) The power of secular rulers was strengthened

ARTISTIC AND ECONOMIC IMPACT Different styles of art emerged in Protestant and Catholic countries. Catholic art glorified Jesus, Mary, and the Saints Protestants specialized in landscapes or “still life” scenes (felt it was wrong to depict God) Stimulated economic growth in N. Europe (Church no longer collected taxes) Religious wars created a need for new goods, thus stimulating the economy

LEFT SIDE ACTIVITY CREATE A CHART SUMMARIZING THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE REFORMATION CAUSES: REFORMATION EFFECTS: