The Modern Era

Version 2

• The Renaissance—Rebirth—of the Classical Civilizations of Greece and Rome

• Quickly becomes the creation of new civilization that of the Modern World.

• Begins in Italy Location, Tradition, Wealth• Spreads to Northern and Western Europe• Influences Art, Architecture, Literature• Humanism: The Individual Counts

Reformation

• Absolute Power of Catholic Church during Middle Ages subject to Challenge– Schism between Roman and Orthodox Churches

over authority of the Pope in 1054– Increasing questioning of what was viewed as a

Medieval Institution not a Classical one– Corruption associated with its great Wealth– Decision to reconstruct St. Peter’s and raise funds

through offering of Indulgences

Luther

• Martin Luther on October 31, 1517 issues the 95 Theses questioning the indulgences, and the role of the Church in human salvation

• He eventually offered an alternative doctrine– Justification by Faith not Works– Primacy of the Bible as the source of knowledge

needed for salvation– Reduction of importance of clergy and denial of

supremacy of the Pope.

Lutheranism

• By 1521. Luther was denounced as a heretic and called to account before the current Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V at the Imperial Diet of Worms. Refusing to Recant his heresy he would have been executed had he not been rescued by Frederick of Saxony.

• Other German Princes gave him support and became Lutherans and Protestants.

• The Empire entered a prolonged Religious War

Lutheranism

Germany was ravaged by decades of constant fighting between Catholics, Protestants, Nobles, Peasants, Pro-Monarchists and radicals who believed that all governments were corrupt.

• In 1555, The Peace of Augsburg resulted in the division of Germany into Catholic and Lutheran states whose rulers picked the religion their subjects would practice.

Henry VIII Tudor

• English King whose Father had emerged triumphant in the War of Roses-a war of succession.

• Was wed to Catherine of Aragon, Daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, who had been betrothed to his older brother Arthur, their marriage had been approved by the Pope.

• After more than 20 years, they had a Daughter Mary but no son.

Anglicanism

• Even though Henry opposed the teachings of Luther and was given Title Defensor Fide by the Pope, He requested permission to annul his marriage in order to take a new wife and so conceive a son and heir. The Pope refused the Request.

• In 1534, Henry decided that if he were head of Church and State in England He could do this and by the Act of Supremecy, he did.

• Those who refused to accept his ruling were both heretics and traitors to the Church in England.

Anglicanism

• Henry would ultimately run through 6 wives• Catherine of Aragon Divorced Mary• Anne Boleyn Beheaded

Elizabeth• Jane Seymour Dies Edward• Anne of Cleves Divorced• Catherine Howard Beheaded • Catherine Paar Survives

Anglicanism

• His Church would become increasingly more Protestant, eventually would develop Puritan faction, Quakers, and Methodists. Became an important factor in settlement of British North America.

John Calvin

• A French son of a lay Church Official, Calvin trained to be a lawyer but was influenced by Luther’s split with the church and his emphasis on the Bible as the key to salvation.

• Calvin’s interpretation was radically different form Luther’s.

• Salvation was Predestined. God had decided before creation who was saved/few who was damned /nearly everybody

Calvinism

• No one certain but all might detect signs of Election. – Prayerful– Serious– Hard Working – SuccessfulThe State should be guided by the Church—Theocracy.

He fled to Geneva in Switzerland and set this system up. He sent missionaries out to spread it to the rest of Europe.