Protestant Reformation Basics

1. Protestant Reformation Basics

2. The Roots of Change • Rise of middle class • Printing press • Humanism of the Renaissance

3. Hints from the past… John Wycliffe (c. 1330-1384) - Professorial English monk who spoke out against the tithe and was excommunicated. Jan Hus (c. 1370-1415) - Professorial Czech monk who spoke out in agreement with Wycliffe and was burned at the stake Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498) – Florentine monk who preached against the abuses of the Medici family and the pope. Eventually his enemies (there were many) hung him and then burned him at the stake. Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) - Professorial English monk who encouraged reform from within. Wrote a satirical novel criticizing the church called In Praise of Folly. Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) – English monk and statesmen who lost his head for not allowing Henry VIII to get divorced. Wrote a famous novel about a perfect society called Utopia.

4. 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

5. 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 Younger 1527

6. 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

7. What started it all? • Early church protests – Jan Hus (1369), John Wycliffe (1320-1384) – Both Englishmen who attacked bishops involvement in church politics • Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) – Devoted life to restoring direction connection between individual Christian and textual basis of church doctrine • On the surface, church seemed stronger than ever by 15th Cent – Paintings, buildings, church attendance, spreading of values all prevalent

8. Father of Christian Humanism: Desiderius Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus Hans 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

9. “Issues” within the church • Sac religious priests abuse power • “So soon as coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs” • Simony: Parish livings sold to highest bidder • Pluralism: Numerous positions given to people who could not fulfill responsibility • Confessions lead to unfair indulgences • Nepotism commonplace • Bishops involved in local political affairs

10. Demand for Reform Overall, 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

11. It started with an Indulgence - 1517: Pope Leo offering an indulgence sale to finance rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica - Hired Johan Tetzel to preach about benefits • Commissioned by pope to preach about Jubilee (Commissioned by Pope Bonafice in 1300s • Tetzel to become commissioner of indulgences for all of Germany

12. Martin Luther: • Doctorate of theology • Pious man – beat his flesh to purify soul • “I was one who terribly feared the last judgement and who nevertheless with all my heart wished to be saved”

13. 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

14. 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)

15. Protestant Overview: Basics of Protestantism

16. On the crucial issue of SALVATION Roman Catholic Protestant Faith Faith Alone Good Works (spiritual “extra credit”)

17. Catholic: priest interprets Bible Protestant: Indiv. Interp. Of Bible

18. Roman Catholic Protestant “Priesthood of all believers”; everyone serves God equally; priests no different from anyone else. Priests “special & different”; closer to God; greater service to God and Church.

19. Roman Catholic Protestant No “middleman” between God & indiv. believer Clergy as “middleman”

20. The KISS principle (keep it simple, sweetie) applies to Protestant attitudes toward church ceremonies and buildings

21. John Calvin / Calvinism Calvinists: predestination (idea there was an “elect” that was already chosen by God for salvation)

22. Calvinism: Protestant Work Ethic Despite predestination, followers are still commanded to live in a God-pleasing way. Constant labor for personal salvation

23. Anabaptists Northeastern German states Adult Baptism - being “born again” into a life of Christ

24. The Protestant Reformation - England Last phase of the Protestant Reformation came in England King Henry VIII

25. The Protestant Reformation Henry fretted about not having a male heir Their only daughter Mary was born in 1516 Consequently, he wanted a divorce He already had a mistress who was pregnant Catherine of Aragon Henry VIII

26. The Protestant Reformation BUT Catherine of Aragon is the daughter of the very powerful (and still Catholic) King Ferdinand of Spain SO Pope Clement turns down Henry’s request for an annulment.

27. The Protestant Reformation After five years of bickering, Henry marries Anne Boleyn in 1533, proclaiming his marriage to Catherine of Aragon “invalid.” Act of Supremacy (1534), Henry declares himself, head of the Church of England (Anglican Church)

28. The Protestant Reformation Thomas More (Henry’s Chancellor) opposed the Act of Supremacy Was beheaded in 1535 (Catholic Church made him into a saint)

29. The Protestant Reformation Anne Boleyn gave birth a daughter Elizabeth 1533 Anne was beheaded in 1536 (accused of adultery) Two weeks after Anne’s execution, Henry married Jane Seymour, who gave Henry his long-awaited son, Edward, in 1537.

30. The Protestant Reformation Henry died in 1547; he was succeeded by his only son (by Jane Seymour), Edward VI.

31. The Protestant Reformation Queen Mary (the daughter of Catherine of Aragon) was a staunch Catholic, and she was determined to restore papal authority in England. Aka Bloody Mary Mary - Catholic

32. The Protestant Reformation She was especially anxious to crush the growing Puritan minority. Died in 1558, having reigned for only 5 years

33. The Protestant Reformation Mary was succeeded by Henry’s other daughter (by Anne Boleyn), Elizabeth I. Elizabeth (r. 1558-1603) reversed her half-sister’s pro-Catholic policies, instead restoring the Anglican Church to power. Elizabeth – Protestant (Anglican)

34. What is the Catholic or Counter-Reformation? • Roman Catholic revival in the wake of Protestant Reformation • Reform effort WITHIN the Catholic Church

35. New Rules for Clergy • Live in parish • Attend confession • Preach/Teach every Sunday • Give up “wives” • Improve knowledge of Church writing

36. The Inquisition Originally established by Ferdinand & Isabella (Spain)

37. The Inquisition ended in 1808. 323,362 Jews, Muslims & Protestants were burned. Thousands more were imprisoned, tortured or exiled.