The Protestant Reformation
Church Organization
PopeCardinals
ArchbishopsBishopsPriests
Monks/NunsCongregation
The Protestant ReformationA series of events in the 1500s that
led to a new form of Christianity known as Protestantism.Nearly ¼ of all Christians in the world today are Protestants.
Most of the churches right here in Morehead are Protestant.
Causes of the Reformation1.) Renaissance attitude of secularism
(worldiness)-spirit of curiosity, improvement was valued.
2.) Resentment of Church power and wealth-Political power, taxes, land ownership
3.) Church abuses (corruption)-misuse of money (lavish lifestyles)-fornication, gambling, drunkenness-pluralism, neglecting spiritual duties-inadequate education, illiteracy
Martin Luther1483-1546
From Germany, son of a copper minerLightning storm1505- entered a monastery1507- became an ordained priest1512- became a professor of theology at the
University of Wittenberg.Struggled with anxiety over his salvation
“He who through faith is righteous shall live”Began to disagree with Catholic Church
teachings
Luther writes the 95 ThesesWhat prompted him?
The sale of indulgences (pardons for sins) Remission, after death, of all or part of the punishment
for sin Replaced traditional act of penance (fasting, prayer, etc…)
Johann Tetzel – “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs”
Luther’s protests: Unfair to the poor Gave people false sense of salvation Disagreed that salvation could come from good deeds
(like donating $)
95 ThesesOct. 31, 1517: Luther nailed the 95 Theses on
the door of the Church.Wanted reform, not to break from the church.Quickly reprinted in the vernacular ; spread
quickly due to the printing press.Luther’s ideas were so popular because of
the environment of backlash that already existed.
His popularity and followers make him a huge threat in the eyes of the Church.
Luther’s Teachings-What Luther wanted to change:
No IndulgencesNo ConfessionNo PilgrimagesNo Prayers to saintsSimplify ritual of the mass, instead focus on
sermonClergy should be able to marry
Martin LutherChurch officials asked him to recant; he
refusedSummoned to appear at the Diet of Worms Excommunicated and declared an outlawProtected by Frederic the Wise Translated the New Testament into German
during his year of hiding.Some of his teachings had already been put
into action = Lutherans – the first Protestant church.
1555- Peace of Augsburg
The Impact of the Printing Presshttp://www.biography.com/people/johannes-g
utenberg-9323828/videos/johannes-gutenberg-the-printing-press-26300995752
Johannes GutenbergUsing technology from China and Korea, he
cast the letters of the alphabet into a wooden press.
Text could be quickly printed on both sides of paper.
Result: books and printed material produced faster and cheaper, available to more people.
1st publication: a 1,282 page BiblePrinters spread rapidly; within 35 years, a
press was as far as Constantinople.“30 buyers rise up for each volume…tearing
one another’s eyes out to get ahold of them.”Rapid access to new ideas.Easier access to books=more people learned
to read, more books printed.Renaissance and Reformation ideas spread
quickly!
Other ReformersUlrich Zwingli
John Calvin
Anabaptists
How are the Renaissance, Reformation and Printing Press connected?Renaissance: a time of learning and
questioning, seeking answersReformers, disgusted with church, find
answers in reading the Bible for themselvesThe printing press allows for the Bible (and
95 Theses) to be read (in the common language!) by many.
Therefore, reformation, or change, spreads.
By 1560, seehow religious beliefshave spread!
The Counter-ReformationCatholics want to turn the tide of the
Protestant Reformation:The Council of Trent: over the course of 20
years, it meets to revise problems in the church.
Took steps to end abuses, educate clergy
The InquisitionA church court to root out hereticsOutlaws books (especially Protestant and
humanist books)
JesuitsFounded by Ignatius of Loyola to defend and
spread the Catholic faithSet up schoolsTravel to “new worlds” as missionaries
Witch HuntsTens of thousands killed through the
inquisitionA combination of religious and magical
beliefs that led people to believe these people (usually women) could perform witchcraft
Persecution of JewsSpain expelled them in 1492Italy began creating “ghettos” in 1516Many restrictions on JewsEven Luther called for them to be expelled
for not convertingSynagogues burnedMany flee to the North and to the Ottoman
Empire (mideast)
End Result:Europe would remain divided between
Catholics and Protestants for centuries, leading to many bloody conflicts.
