1 / 7

Roots of the Reformation: Problems within the Church

Roots of the Reformation: Problems within the Church . European History. 1. Erosion of Papal Authority. In theory – pope governed the Church of Western Christendom But New Monarchies weakened papal authority Church dependent on political relationships. 2. New Religious Movements.

macy
Download Presentation

Roots of the Reformation: Problems within the Church

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Roots of the Reformation:Problems within the Church European History

  2. 1. Erosion of Papal Authority • In theory – pope governed the Church of Western Christendom • ButNew Monarchies weakened papal authority • Church dependent on political relationships

  3. 2. New Religious Movements • “heretical” religious movements challenge papal authority • William of Occam (c.1290-1349), Low Countries – ind. piety, Scriptures key, imp. of leading a good, simple life • John Wyclif (c. 1328-1384) & Lollards, England – reading Scriptures = basis; rejected transubstantiation • Peasant revolt of 1381 lessens his impact • Jan Hus (c. 1369-1415) – criticized worldliness, advocated a return to unadorned religion; pope = “anti-Christ”; common man could reform the Church; communion = bread and wine

  4. 3. Conciliarism • The rise in power of councils, due to Avignon Papacy and Great Schism weaken pope’s authority • Council of Pisa (1409) • Election of third pope • Council of Constance (1414-1418) • Hus burned at stake • Election of Pope Martin V = end of Great Schism • Council of Basel (1431-1445) • Debate the unlimited authority of the pope • Pope Pius II (1458-1464) • Execrabilis declares councils heretical – returns absolute authority of the pope

  5. 4. Apparent Corruption • Church’s authority more important than controlling or even appearing concerned about corruption • Selling of indulgences to increase papal treasury – Pope Leo X, Johann Tetzel, Albert of Hohenzollern • “God has given us the papacy – let us enjoy it!” – Poe Leo X • 1/5 of all priests (Trent) kept concubines • Nepotism • Simony • Pluralism & Absenteeism • Estates-General (1484) & Diet of Augsburg (1510) call for reforms

  6. Christian Humanist Reformers • Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) • Christian Humanist from Netherlands • Educated by Brothers of the Common Life • 1503 Handbook of the Christian Knight • “Philosophy of Christ” in daily life • Focus on inner piety (not ritual) • People need to understand the Scriptures and early church fathers = 1516 New Latin translation of Bible • Church must… • Spread teaching of “philosophy of Christ” • Offer enlightened education in early Scriptures • Combat apparent corruption w/in the Church • In Praise of Folly, 1511 • “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.”

  7. Christian Humanist Reformers • Thomas More (1478-1535) • Lawyer, devote Catholic, studied Greek and Latin, friend of Erasmus • Friend and confidant of Henry VIII – eventually Lord Chancellor • 1516 wrote Utopia • Society is highly regulated for the moral welfare of all participants; communal ownership and care of property and community; little to no focus on material wealth, instead on well-being of society • However, More is a realist: “For things will never be perfect, until human beings are perfect – which I don’t expect them to be for quite a number of years.” • 1535 martyred for his faith, as he would not aide Henry VIII in gaining a divorce from Pope Clement VII.

More Related