Topic 12 Topic 12

The Protestant ReformationThe Protestant Reformation• Began in 1517 with Luther’s “95 Theses.”

• Series of reform movements throughout Europe.

A.A. Martin Luther (1483-1546)Martin Luther (1483-1546) Led reform in Germany.Led reform in Germany. Sparked movements all over Europe.Sparked movements all over Europe.

1.1. Early lifeEarly lifea.a. EducationEducation

Planning law career.Planning law career. Became a monk instead.Became a monk instead.

b.b. Monastery (1505-1511)Monastery (1505-1511) Spiritual struggle over guilt for sin.Spiritual struggle over guilt for sin. Found no peace or sense of forgiveness.Found no peace or sense of forgiveness.

c.c. University of Wittenberg (1512- )University of Wittenberg (1512- ) Got doctorate in theology.Got doctorate in theology. Lecturing on Psalms and Romans.Lecturing on Psalms and Romans.

d.d. Conversion (“Tower experience”)Conversion (“Tower experience”) Romans 1:17 – “The just will live by faith.”Romans 1:17 – “The just will live by faith.” Key to gospel is faith – “justification by faith alone.”Key to gospel is faith – “justification by faith alone.”

A.A. Martin Luther – cont.Martin Luther – cont.2.2. ReformReform

a.a. ““The Ninety-Five Theses” (1517)The Ninety-Five Theses” (1517) Nailed to church door in Wittenberg.Nailed to church door in Wittenberg. Challenged church to debate indulgences.Challenged church to debate indulgences. Indulgences – certificates of forgiveness of sins.Indulgences – certificates of forgiveness of sins. Sale of indulgences was promoted to raise money Sale of indulgences was promoted to raise money

for rebuilding St. Peter’s basilica.for rebuilding St. Peter’s basilica. Luther: forgiveness is between believer and God; Luther: forgiveness is between believer and God;

not in church’s power to sell.not in church’s power to sell. Soon published all over Europe.Soon published all over Europe. Mark’s beginning of Protestant Reformation.Mark’s beginning of Protestant Reformation.

b.b. Conflict with churchConflict with church Debates between Luther and John Eck (1519) – Debates between Luther and John Eck (1519) –

most thought Luther won.most thought Luther won. Begins challenging authority of pope (Leo X). Begins challenging authority of pope (Leo X). Winning popular support of German people.Winning popular support of German people. Excommunicated (1520).Excommunicated (1520).

A.A. Martin Luther – cont.Martin Luther – cont.2.2. Reform – cont.Reform – cont.

c.c. Diet of Worms (1521)Diet of Worms (1521) Appeared before assembly of German princes.Appeared before assembly of German princes. Emperor demanded he recant his books and errors.Emperor demanded he recant his books and errors. Famous Famous “Here I stand” speech “Here I stand” speech – refused to recant – refused to recant

unless convinced by Scripture and reason.unless convinced by Scripture and reason.

d.d. Refuge at Wartburg CastleRefuge at Wartburg Castle ““Kidnapped” and protected by prince Frederick.Kidnapped” and protected by prince Frederick. Began German translation of NT.Began German translation of NT. Wrote in support of reforms.Wrote in support of reforms. Supporters began implementing reforms.Supporters began implementing reforms.

e.e. Return to Wittenberg (1522)Return to Wittenberg (1522) Took leadership; advocated gradual, gentle reforms.Took leadership; advocated gradual, gentle reforms. Communion in both kinds; eliminated penance; Communion in both kinds; eliminated penance;

revised Mass; new hymnal; etc.revised Mass; new hymnal; etc. Encouraged monks/nuns to marry.Encouraged monks/nuns to marry. Married Katherine von Bora (1525).Married Katherine von Bora (1525).

A.A. Martin Luther – cont.Martin Luther – cont.3.3. Results of Luther’s workResults of Luther’s work

a.a. ““Lutheranism” had firm hold in Germany and Scandanavia.Lutheranism” had firm hold in Germany and Scandanavia. After period of armed conflict, Peace of Augsburg gave each After period of armed conflict, Peace of Augsburg gave each

prince power to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism.prince power to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism. Result was patchwork of Lutheran and Catholic states.Result was patchwork of Lutheran and Catholic states.

b.b. Luther also lit fuse that ignited other reform movements all Luther also lit fuse that ignited other reform movements all over Europe.over Europe.

4.4. Three basic principles of Protestantism Three basic principles of Protestantism (distinguishing from Catholicism):(distinguishing from Catholicism):

a.a. Justification by faith Justification by faith alonealone

b.b. Authority of Scripture Authority of Scripture alonealone

c.c. Priesthood of Priesthood of allall believers believers

B.B. Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) – Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) – reform in Zürichreform in Zürich

1.1. Strong reforms based on supremacy of Scripture.Strong reforms based on supremacy of Scripture.a.a. Humanist scholar; studied Greek NT systematically.Humanist scholar; studied Greek NT systematically.

b.b. Eliminated any teaching or practice different from NT Eliminated any teaching or practice different from NT church; reforms went further than Luther’s. church; reforms went further than Luther’s.

c.c. Produced very simplified worship service – Produced very simplified worship service – stripped of stripped of elaborate medieval liturgy and rituals.elaborate medieval liturgy and rituals.

2.2. Implemented through support of city council.Implemented through support of city council.

3.3. Symbolic view of Communion – Symbolic view of Communion – differed with Catholics differed with Catholics

and Lutherand Luther..a.a. Catholic: Transubstantiation – elements are Catholic: Transubstantiation – elements are

transformed into body and blood of Christ.transformed into body and blood of Christ.

b.b. Luther: Consubstantiation – real, spiritual presence of Luther: Consubstantiation – real, spiritual presence of Christ in the elements.Christ in the elements.

c.c. Zwingli: Symbolic view – Lord’s Supper is not Zwingli: Symbolic view – Lord’s Supper is not sacramental; elements symbolically represent and sacramental; elements symbolically represent and remind us of Christ’s body and blood.remind us of Christ’s body and blood.

C.C. John Calvin (1509-64) – John Calvin (1509-64) – led reform in Genevaled reform in Geneva1.1. Developed Zwingli’s work.Developed Zwingli’s work.2.2. Institutes of the Christian Religion Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)(1536)

a.a. First Protestant systematic theology.First Protestant systematic theology.b.b. Emphasizes sovereignty of God.Emphasizes sovereignty of God.c.c. Person can do nothing toward own salvation.Person can do nothing toward own salvation.d.d. Predestination: God “elects” from eternity those who will be Predestination: God “elects” from eternity those who will be

saved.saved.

3.3. TheocracyTheocracya.a. Wrote laws adopted/enforced by city council.Wrote laws adopted/enforced by city council.b.b. Strict morality; “blue laws;” compulsory church attendance; Strict morality; “blue laws;” compulsory church attendance;

etc.etc.

4.4. Presbyterian church structurePresbyterian church structurea.a. Authority resides in local congregation – calls own pastor, etc.Authority resides in local congregation – calls own pastor, etc.b.b. Elects presbyters (elders) to regional synod.Elects presbyters (elders) to regional synod.c.c. Synod deals with matters beyond local level.Synod deals with matters beyond local level.

5.5. Influence – Influence – Geneva attracted Protestant refugees; Geneva attracted Protestant refugees; took Calvinism back to their homelands.took Calvinism back to their homelands.a.a. France/Holland – France/Holland – Reformed Reformed churcheschurchesb.b. Scotland – Scotland – Presbyterian Presbyterian churcheschurchesc.c. England – England – Puritan Puritan movementmovementd.d. America – Pilgrims; America – Pilgrims; Congregationalist Congregationalist churcheschurches

D.D. English ReformationEnglish Reformation1.1. Henry VIII (1509-47)Henry VIII (1509-47)

a.a. Needed male heir; wanted to annul marriage to Catherine.Needed male heir; wanted to annul marriage to Catherine.

b.b. Declared Church of England independent (1534).Declared Church of England independent (1534).

c.c. Appointed Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury.Appointed Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury.

2.2. Edward VI (1547-53)Edward VI (1547-53)a.a. Real reforms led by Thomas Cranmer.Real reforms led by Thomas Cranmer.

b.b. Worship in English; simplified liturgies.Worship in English; simplified liturgies.

3.3. Mary Tudor (1553-58)Mary Tudor (1553-58)a.a. Returned to Catholicism.Returned to Catholicism.

b.b. Persecuted Protestants – many executed (Cranmer).Persecuted Protestants – many executed (Cranmer).

c.c. Many fled to Geneva; influenced by Calvinism.Many fled to Geneva; influenced by Calvinism.

4.4. Elizabeth I (1558-1603)Elizabeth I (1558-1603)a.a. Ousted the Roman Catholics.Ousted the Roman Catholics.

b.b. Established Church of England as Established Church of England as via media via media (“middle way”).(“middle way”).

c.c. Neither Protestant nor Catholic – compromise with elements of Neither Protestant nor Catholic – compromise with elements of both.both.

5.5. Influence – churches called Influence – churches called AnglicanAnglican or or EpiscopalEpiscopal..

E.E. The Anabaptists (“Radical Reformation”)The Anabaptists (“Radical Reformation”)1.1. Main distinctive is “believer’s baptism.”Main distinctive is “believer’s baptism.”

a.a. Personal faith commitment is necessary before baptism.Personal faith commitment is necessary before baptism.

b.b. Infant baptism doesn’t count.Infant baptism doesn’t count.

c.c. 1525 – group out of Zwingli’s church baptized one another.1525 – group out of Zwingli’s church baptized one another.

d.d. Became known as “anabaptists” = “rebaptizers.”Became known as “anabaptists” = “rebaptizers.”

e.e. Used pouring – not immersion.Used pouring – not immersion.

2.2. Persecuted by Catholics and other Protestants.Persecuted by Catholics and other Protestants.

3.3. Concept of “gathered church.”Concept of “gathered church.”a.a. Membership not automatic by birth.Membership not automatic by birth.

b.b. Requires personal faith experience.Requires personal faith experience.

4.4. Strong emphasis on “discipleship.”Strong emphasis on “discipleship.”a.a. Importance of following Jesus’ teaching, esp. Sermon on Mount.Importance of following Jesus’ teaching, esp. Sermon on Mount.

b.b. Pacifism; no oaths – refused to bear arms or hold office.Pacifism; no oaths – refused to bear arms or hold office.

5.5. Advocated “separation of church and state.”Advocated “separation of church and state.”

6.6. Influence – Influence – Mennonites; Brethren; Hutterites; Amish.Mennonites; Brethren; Hutterites; Amish.

Menno Simons

F.F. Catholic “Counter-Reformation”Catholic “Counter-Reformation”1.1. Society of Jesus (Jesuits)Society of Jesus (Jesuits)

a.a. Monastic order founded by Ignatius of Loyola (1540).Monastic order founded by Ignatius of Loyola (1540).

b.b. Intensely loyal to the pope.Intensely loyal to the pope.

c.c. Used education and missions to counter Protestantism.Used education and missions to counter Protestantism.

2.2. Council of Trent (1545-63)Council of Trent (1545-63)a.a. Moral and administrative reforms.Moral and administrative reforms.

b.b. Rejected key Protestant ideas.Rejected key Protestant ideas.

c.c. Reaffirmed traditional Catholic doctrines:Reaffirmed traditional Catholic doctrines: Scripture and church tradition have equal authority.Scripture and church tradition have equal authority. Latin Vulgate is official Bible; church is its authoritative Latin Vulgate is official Bible; church is its authoritative

interpreter.interpreter. Seven sacraments administered by church are means of Seven sacraments administered by church are means of

grace.grace. Justification is by faith and works.Justification is by faith and works. Upheld authority of pope; transubstantiation; Mass in Latin; Upheld authority of pope; transubstantiation; Mass in Latin;

clerical celibacy.clerical celibacy.

d.d. Sealed break with Protestantism.Sealed break with Protestantism.

G.G. Three Main Branches of ChristianityThree Main Branches of Christianity::1.1. Eastern OrthodoxyEastern Orthodoxy

2.2. Roman CatholicismRoman Catholicism

3.3. Protestantism Protestantism (Lutheran; Calvinist; Anglican; Anabaptist; etc.)(Lutheran; Calvinist; Anglican; Anabaptist; etc.)

Luther at Diet of Worms (1521)Luther at Diet of Worms (1521)Asked to renounce his errors, Asked to renounce his errors,

Luther replied:Luther replied:

““Unless I am convicted by Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason —Scripture and plain reason —I do not accept the authority I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each they have contradicted each other— my conscience is other— my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against anything, for to go against conscience is neither right conscience is neither right nor safe.”nor safe.”

By some accounts, he then added:By some accounts, he then added:

““Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”

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