The Reformatio

n:At a

Glance

Roots of Change• Rise of middle

class

• Printing press

• Humanism of the Renaissance

Print Revolution• Did not cause reform, but

helped it progress

• Johannes Gutenberg – published Bibles 1450s Mainz, Germany

• Books usually religious or classical (Cicero)

• Standardized language

Christian Humanism• Christian Humanism –

applied techniques of Italian humanists to study authorities and texts of the Church

• Program of reform and NOT a philosophy

• Education is the key to reforming Christianity Sir Thomas More

Hans Holbein the Younger1527

Christian Humanism & Education• Goal: make Christians better• Problem: Church had always

overseen education; rote memorization of bible passages and Church teachings

• 16th Century: Scholasticism - texts studied through commentaries; leads to debate – Who is right?

• Education for those not destined to become clergy

The Polyglot Bible, 1522

Father of Christian Humanism: Desiderius Erasmus

Desiderius ErasmusHans Holbein the Younger

1523

In Praise of Folly (1509) – satire of abuses in Church

Devoted life to restoring direct connection between individual and Christ/God

22 rules on how to lead a Christian life

Catholic Church CorruptionIndulgences

Nepotism

giving church offices to relatives

Simony

selling Church offices

Moral Abuses

Tithe

Demand for ReformOverall, people wanted greater spiritual fulfillment

So, it’s natural that they would expect more from those who were supposed to provide that

fulfillment

Expectations powered demand for reform

Martin Luther (1483-1546)German

1505 – religious awakening

Monk and teacher

Frustrated with faith

Romans 1:17 – “The just shall live by faith”

IndulgencesThe moment the money tinkles in the collecting box, a

soul flies out of purgatory• Confession isn’t easy so

indulgences are a good subsitute

• Frederick III “The Wise” of Saxony

– 17,000 relics would keep him out of purgatory for 250,000 years

• Pope offers indulgences to finance building projects

• Protests indulgences

• Pope Leo X instructs John Tetzel to sell indulgences for Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome

– “When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs”

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Spread of Luther’s Ideas• October 31, 1517: 95

Theses posted on door of Castle Church in Wittenberg

• Someone quickly copied his words and took them to the printer!

Luther’s Beliefs• Sola Fide: “Salvation by faith alone”

• Sola Scriptura: Religious authority resides in the Bible and is open to interpretation by individuals

• Equality before God - education for women; no one is more spiritual than another

Luther’s Beliefs• Only two sacraments: baptism and

communion

• Religious services in vernacular language (not Latin)

• Clergy should be allowed to marry

Response to Luther by Leaders

• 1520 Pope Leo X excommunicates Luther for heresy

• 1521 Diet of Worms (meeting led by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) – Luther refuses

to take back his beliefs

Edict of Worms – Charles V forbids Luther from preaching and declares him a heretic

Frederick III (German prince) protects Luther

Response to Luther by People• 1524-1525 Peasants’ Revolt - Germans

against landowners

Luther refuses to support

• 1540’s Charles V wages war against Protestant Princes

• 1555 Peace of Augsburg ends war and allows princes to choose

(Lutheranism or Catholicism)

The Reformation brought about the establishment of several new

“Protestant” churches and literally shattered the religious unity of

Western Europe

Protestant Reformation

Overview of Other Protestant Faiths

John Calvin (1509-1564)

Calvinists: predestination

“Elect” chosen in advance by God

These people lead the church and go to heaven.

Calvinism

Despite predestination, followers are still commanded to live in a God-pleasing way.

Constant labor for personal salvation

Calvinism: Protestant Work Ethic

Northeastern German states

Adult Baptism - being “born again” into a life of Christ

Anabaptists

Preview: English Reformation•Henry VIII lacks male heir

•Seeks annulment from Pope so he can remarry

•Pope denies annulment

•Act of Supremacy (1534)

•Henry is head of the Church of England (Anglican Church)