Roots of the Reformation The Concept of the Plentitude of Power. This stated essentially that the papacy could dispense benefices, declare saints, and the created the very lucrative process of pilgrimages to their shrines, and finally to centralize papal power and secularize the papal role in European politics. This all begins with the Reign of Pope Innocent III – 1198 – 1216.

Roots of the Reformation A result of the greater centralization of power in the papacy was the historic undercutting of the control by local parishes and bishops. This caused small-scale resistance because it struck at the very heart of what the roots of Roman Catholicism was, a separation from the political power of the world.

Roots of the Reformation. There existed in both England and France a historical president where the monarchs enlisted a clerical tax under the guise of funding the crusades. As the crusades drew to a close, continuation of these taxes was essentially a power struggle between the papacy and the monarchs of France and England. By 1296 Pope Boniface issued a papal bull essentially stating that taxes cannot be levied without the consent of the papacy.

Roots of the Reformation 1300 – Papal Jubilee – Every Hundred Years – Big fundraiser for the Church, but trouble brewed. French King Phillip the Fair – arrests the Pope’s right hand man, and charges him with heresy. He essentially blackmails the pope to recognize Phillip’s papal power, and the Pope, if he agrees to the trial, surrenders his power to that of a “mortal king.” Could he let France declare its “Independence” from Rome?

Roots of the Reformation God has set Pope’s over Kings and kingdoms – is the reply. Further, Unum Sanctum is issued – 1302 – All temporal Power was subject to the Church. Phillip actually has the Pope captured and beaten – and by 1309 – We have the papacy residing not in Italy, but France – at Avignon.

Roots of Reformation 1309 – 1377 – The so-called Babylonian Captivity (Luther) It is during this time that practices like collecting benefices and indulgences increased because of the fact that Avignon is cut off from the wealth of Rome. Increased resistance to papal Authority did not diminish during this time, as a matter of fact it grew in England, which began to associate the papacy with their enemy, the French.

Roots of the Reformation William of Ockham. English Cleric who many believe is the first true “Reformation” thinker. God is known by faith in his revelation, not by reason examining his creation. Scholastic Model Creation and salvation are the manifestations of the divine will that call each person to a covenant partnership. The claim of the papacy to be supreme over the secular realm is to be rejected.

Roots of the Reformation William of Ockham was a Franciscan friar and philosopher, from Ockham (near Ripley, Surrey), England Summoned to Avignon (The French Papacy) in 1324 by Pope John XXII on accusation of heresy, William spent four years there in effect under house arrest while his teaching and writing were being investigated. Ockham concluded that Pope John XXII was a heretic, a position that he later put forth in writing.

Roots of the Reformation After criticizing the pope, he is believed to have been excommunicated, although historical sources vary. Ockham spent much of the remainder of his life writing about political issues, including the relative authority and rights of the spiritual and temporal powers.

Roots of the Reformation John Wycliffe ( ) was a theologian and early proponent of reform in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. He initiated the first translation of the Bible into the English language and is considered the main precursor of the Protestant Reformation. Wycliffe argued heavily against the greed of the Papacy, how the Church had become incompatible with the teachings of Christ.

Roots of the Reformation Wycliffe also saw autonomy of the King, and power that we would later refer to as “Divine Right.” It is a sin to oppose the power of the king, which is derived immediately from God. Those in the service of the Church must have regard for the laws of the State. When the king turns over powers to the clergy, he places them under his jurisdiction, from which later pronouncements of the popes cannot release them.

Roots of the Reformation “It is not necessary to go either to Rome or to Avignon in order to seek a decision from the pope, since the true God is everywhere. Our pope is Christ.” And, the Bible is the ultimate authority, not those who would interpret and preach the Bible for the masses. Hence, we see in Wycliffe what we will call “Sola Scriptura” in Martin Luther’s time, though Wycliffe precedes him by 150 years.

Roots of the Reformation Jan Hus – (Czech – 1415) actively promoted Wycliffe’s ideas: that people should be permitted to read the Bible in their own language, and they should oppose the tyranny of the Roman church that threatened anyone possessing a non- Latin Bible with execution Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, with Wycliffe’s manuscript Bibles used as kindling for the fire.

Roots of the Reformation The following statement is simply amazing when you consider the timing...as Hus is being burned alive, he states: “in 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be suppressed.” Almost exactly 100 years later, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 “Theses of Contention: to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. Jus believed that no Pope or Cleric could take up arms in the name of the Lord. He spoke out also about the Crusades as being unjust, and not reflective of God’s words.

Roots of the Reformation All mankind are unregenerate sinners - there is nothing that man can do on his own to achieve salvation Sin is a massive gulf between God and humans - God sent his Son, Jesus, to redeem the sins of mankind Through faith in Jesus, humans can become reconciled (justified) with God 

Roots of the Reformation Salvation for humans beings is through the Grace (unmerited favor) of God only - No one is worthy of salvation Mankind is not saved through works - works are a result of justification, not a cause You are not saved by works; you are saved by God’s grace, and that alone.

Roots of the Reformation Priesthood of believers: The term "priesthood of believers" was coined by Luther, but it was a doctrine preached by all of the primary reformers. It is the view that each individual can interpret the Bible on their own, without external authority, and that individuals did not need intermediaries between themselves and God (priests, bishops etc.)

Roots of the Reformation This doctrine was a direct threat to the European hegemony of the Roman Catholic Church, which based much of its authority on its self-proclaimed right to interpret and act as an intermediary to the word of God. Bible as the sole authority of the Word of God: The reformers believed the Bible was the sole authority of the word of God. The Roman Catholic view (then and now) is/was that church tradition/councils/teachings were on equal authoritative footing with the holy Scriptures.