Reformation: Splitting of the Church into Catholic and Protestant

Reformation: Splitting of the Church into Catholic and Protestant 16th Century – New ideas, land, inventions, ways of thinking

Inventions to fuel the fire Johannes Gutenberg – printing press (movable type) – Why such a big deal? Cheap paper Culture of Mercantilism – government sponsoring of large scale economic ventures Govt. and private ventures into research and expansion

Christian Humanism Erasmus and other followers believed in ethical piety of Christ NOT the ceremonial, abstract religion of the Middle Ages His ideas became the swords the Protestants used to smite Catholicism

Ethics of Christ Truth Profess the faith Care for one as you would care for yourself Give Use teachings of Christ to make wise decisions Agape love – service Inspiration to Thomas More’s Utopia – slam on society

Problems with the Church Lacked full personal or intellectual satisfaction Taught people they had to achieve the righteousness of God (why is this ludicrous?) Rigid in thought and change even when results are not detrimental, i.e. Galileo

Reaction by Church to problems Crusades – wars mostly against Muslim invaders, but grasp for more power/attention Against new religious movements even if they agree Excommunication if disagree with church for any reason

John Wycliffe

John Huss "You are now going to burn a goose, (the name of Huss signifying goose in the Bohemian language), but in a century you will have a swan whom you can neither roast nor boil."

A Hussite? Martin Luther Beliefs of Huss Justification by faith alone Religious works and ceremonies did not have to carried out – evident in those that believe Wine and bread not blood and flesh – no transfiguration Attacked indulgences Personal merit – basis of religious authority – implications?

Indulgences When guilty of sin under an eternal penalty After confession – temporal penalty – wiped clean with work performed here Received for going on a Crusade – later $ Eventually could purchase for the dead Played on emotions

John Tetzel – professional indulgence conniver Don’t you hear the voices of your dead parents and other relatives crying out, ‘Have mercy on us, for we suffer great punishment and pain. From this you could release us with a few alms…. We have created you, fed you, cared for you, and left you our temporal goods. Why do you treat us so cruelly and leave us to suffer in the flames, when it takes only a little to save us?

What was going on in German provinces? • People were angry over indulgences and abuses by church abuses • Humanism was growing • Time was ripe in Germany for Luther’s voice to be heard

Martin Luther

Who is Martin Luther? • Comes from a well to do family • Master of Arts degree • Signed up to go to law school, but angered his parents by choosing to enter the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine instead. • How would your parents feel if you were going to join an Order of Hermits? • During a lightning storm he promised God if he were safe he would join a monastery. Be careful what you wish for or pray for – you just might get it.

Luther’s reactions to the indulgences/problems Began to grapple with ineptitude of church for personal/intellectual satisfaction – same problems today? “Church is boring” Pounds 95 theses on door of church Oct. 31, 1517 – explaining all problems of the church

Leipzig Debate Luther and John Eck Infallibility of the Pope Inerrancy of church councils Scripture alone is sovereign Hussite – Eucharist is not really Christ Only 2 sacraments were legit (2 legit 2 quit) Salvation by faith alone

Edict of Worms • Forced to recant or be excommunicated • Given 60 days to decide • Refused against scripture and conscience

Outlaw • Outlaw in church and secular society • Hid for about a year in the Wartburg Castle

Peace of Augsburg Holy roman Empire – distracted by attacks of the Turks Holy roman Emperor died and Pope was concerned with whom he would choose as successor German princes were given sovereignty in religious matter – granted “Lutherans” religious freedom 1555 – ‘ruler of the land shall determine the religion of the land’

Other Reformers • Zwingli – Swiss reformers • “Whatever lacked literal support in Scripture was to be neither believed nor practiced” • Broke Lenten fast • Anabaptists • Ancestors of Mennonites and Amish – rejected infant baptism • Spiritualists – only religious authority was the Holy Ghost or God’s Spirit • Calvinist – original sin, predestination

Reformation: Splitting of the Church into Catholic and Protestant