VII. The ReformationA. Criticism of the Church

– Humanists criticize the Catholic Church for exploiting the population’s ignorance and the religious anguish of Christians.

– In favor of a reform of the Church and prepare the way for the Protestant Reformation

B. Luther’s Criticism

– Martin Luther – German monk preoccupied by the question of salvation

– He remains unsatisfied by Church practices regarding the poor– Giving alms– attending Mass – praying

– During Luther’s era, the Church begins selling indulgences, i.e. pieces of paper which shorten one’s stay in purgatory by a few centuries, depending on the amount of money one pays.

B. Luther’s Criticism (cont’d)– For Luther, this practice is scandalous because the

indulgences are sold to finance the reconstruction of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome and it prolongs social inequalities into the hereafter. It also encourages wealthy people to sin. Luther believes that only God can determine punishment for one’s sins.

– For Luther, Man must follow the teachings of Christ. He believes that only faith can guarantee one’s salvation.

– Luther follows Erasmus in his criticism of the Church but goes further, even to break from Rome over questions of the freedom of Man and his salvation.

Luther’s 95 Theses• 1517 Luther posts a list of grievances, called the

Ninety-Five Theses, against the Roman Catholic Church.

• "If, therefore, indulgences were preached according to the spirit and intention of the pope, all these doubts [the complaints of the laity] would be readily resolved. Indeed, they would not exist."

Source: Martin Luther’s 91st theses

C. The Problem of the Freedom of Man and his salvation

1.Erasmus’ Humanist viewpoint:

For Erasmus, the freedom of will exists, i.e. the power to choose between good and evil, and Man does not determine his salvation alone but by the will to do good and can be saved thanks to the help of God. Man saves himself by following God. To ensure salvation, therefore, Man must pray and do good deeds, and God will do the rest.

“God helps those who help themselves.”

2. Luther’s position at the Diet of Worms 1521:• Luther refuses to recant anything• No freedom of will - believes that God is all

powerful and omniscient• Man has no free will and faith alone can save him• Scripture alone counts – direct relationship w/God

3. Break between Luther and Erasmus - definitive• While the Humanists stay within the Catholic

Church out of fear of religious war• Luther not only challenges Papal authority, but

breaks from Rome and founds the Protestant faith (Lutheranism) which rejects Catholic tradition.

Europe will be split in two by the schism and religious wars will tear apart Germany, France and the British Isles.

Thousands of people were burned at the stake, hanged or tortured on both sides

The martyrdom and burning of William Tyndale (1494-1536) Engraving, 16th century

D. The Reformation and Art

• challenge to the spiritual and political power of the Church in Rome

• particular significance for art since the use (and abuse) of images was the topic of debate (worship of icons)

• many images were attacked & destroyed during this period, a phenomenon called iconoclasm

Destruction of works of art, Aug 20, 1566 after a Protestant predicationFranz Hogenberg, estampe, Paris, BNF

The Massacre of Saint Barthélemy, 24 August 1572, François Dubois, Lausanne, Musée cantonal des Beaux

Arts

Edict of Nantes 1598

• Signed by Henry IV – Protestant French King converted to Catholicism

• Declare catholicism as official religion but tolerates religious diversity

• Finally puts an end to the wars of Religion in France

• BUT gets worse one century later in the 30 years war…

VIII. The Reformation and EnglandThe Tudor Kings and the Church

Time Line of Tudor England

Henry VIII• Wants an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of

Aragon

– Failed to produce a male heir to the throne

• Applies to the Pope who refuses

• Catherine daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and niece of Holy Roman Emperor

• afraid of Catholic rulers’ reaction

• By Act of Parliament, makes the King the Head of the Church in England

Henry VIII• Creation of Anglican Church not only result of

desire to remarry but also protest of Church abuses of power

• Protestantism spreading in Germany, Scandinavian countries, England, Scotland, Switzerland, etc

• Video: Horrible Histories King Henry VIII"Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded,

survived."

Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

1. Baptism: where children were cleansed of original sin

2. Confirmation: for young people, they became members of the Church and were now allowed to take Mass

3. Marriage

4. Ordination: when a man becomes a priest

5. Last Rites: dying people were anointed with holy oil

6. Penance – confession of sins to a priest

7. The Mass – re-enactment of the Last Supper

Dissolution of the MonasteriesHenry VIII sold off church land to nobles in

exchange for their support

Monasteries, friaries & nunneries destroyed

Destruction of grammar schools supported by Monasteries

Video: Renaissance Education 41’45 – 43’12

Thomas More – religious opponent to the King

1529 More Appointed Lord Chancellor of the Realm under Henry VIII

1532 More refused Act of Supremacy and resigned office

1534 More Imprisoned, wrote religious works

1535 More tried and beheaded

Video: A Renaissance Education 38’49 – 42’

Renaissance - ConclusionReview:

Video: Introduction to the Protestant reformation – Khan Academy 8’17

Early 17th Century

Counter-Reformation by the Catholic Church

Many orders created like the Jesuits to purify the Catholic faith from within

Missionaries sent to Asia and the Americas

Reading Homework

Chapter 17 Renaissance and Reformation (see blog)

Section 3 – The Reformation begins, pp. 633-641

Section 4 – Catholics and Protestants, pp. 642-653