Reform and Renewal in the Christian Church: Impact and Evolution

1. Chapter 14 “Reform and Renewal in the Christian Church”1400-1600 AP EUROPEAN HISTORY MR. RICK PURRINGTON MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL

2. The Condition of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) A. Signs of RCC Disorder 1. clergy immorality – priests violated celibacy, drunkenness, gambling, luxurious living 2. clergy ignorance – few priests were literate 3. clergy absenteeism 4. corruption – buying/selling of offices 5. church hierarchy dominated by the rich B. Signs of RCC Strength 1. The power of sacraments 2. church attendance remained high 3. cash flow was high a) tithe tax – 1/10 of income was collected by the RCC

3. St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican

4. Martin Luther and the Birth of Protestantism • Luther’s Early Years 1. conscientious monk but uncertain 2. his conclusion: only faith in Christ can bring salvation • Luther Challenges the Church 1. 1517 – RCC building St. Peter’s Basilica, $ needed 2. selling of indulgences = forgiveness of sins “When the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” 3. 1519 - Luther rejects indulgences a) “good works” do not = salvation b) writes 95 Theses, challenging papal authority 4. Luther is excommunicated

6. 5. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V calls Luther to “The Diet of Worms” for questioning “Unless I am convinced by the evidence of Scripture or by plain reason….I cannot and will not recant anything, for it is neither safe nor right to go against my conscience.” ~Martin Luther at The Diet of Worms 6. Charles V declares Luther an “outlaw” 6. Duke Frederick of Saxony shelters Luther until his death 7. Other German princes don’t support Charles V 8. Other Protestant faiths develop in Germany (see map on p.478)

7. C. Protestant Thought 1. God’s grace + faith, not good works or $ =salvation 2. Religious authority comes from scripture only 3. Church = community of believers not just clergy superiors 4. 3 Holy Sacraments, not 7 - Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist 5. Rejection of celibacy 6. Translation of Bible from Latin to German 7. Transubstantiation: RCC bread + wine = Christ’s body and blood - Luther says no to transub. - consubstantiation: Christ is present in spirit, there is no real transformation - Calvin agrees w/Luther on consub. - Zwingli says no to consub. and transub.

8. D. Social Impact of Luther’s Beliefs 1. Printing press helped Luther spread his ideas 2. 1523 peasant unrest and rebellion – “rebellion springs rebellion” “You lords and princes have brought on this rebellion. In your government you do nothing but rob your subjects in order that you may lead a life of splendor, until the common folk can bear it no longer.” ~ Martin Luther in support of the peasant revolts 3. Luther supports the peasants initially, later the lords as he opposes armed force 4. Improved Circumstances for Women a) recognition of “valuable work” b) insisted that all should read Bible

10. The Growth of the Protestant Reformation A. The Peace of Augsburg – signed by Charles V recognizing Lutheranism in Holy Roman Empire B. Calvinism 1. God is all powerful, humans are insignificant 2.Predestination-humans cannot save themselves 3. God decides who to save 4. Even minor ‘evil’ deserves harsh punishment – stoning, burning at the stake, etc. 5. Dissenters were called “dogs and swine” “The false prophet is to be stoned without mercy.” ~ John Calvin 6. John Knox – takes Calvin’s ideas and creates Presbyterian Church of Scotland 7. Church/service pageantry is limited John Calvin

11. C. The Anabaptists 1. Believed in: religious tolerance, separation of church and state, women ministers 2. Were criticized by Luther, Zwingli, Calvin - accused of being too secular 3. Today - Quakers, Baptists

12. The English Reformation (1527-1603) 1. King Henry VIII of England – Tudor dynasty a) seeks annulment, pope Clement VII distracted b) seeing RCC vulnerability, decides to secede “The Reformation in England was an act of the state initiated by the king’s emotional life.” 2. The Church of England a) 1534 - The Supremacy Act b) king is the head of the Church c) dissenters were executed d) monasteries confiscated, sold to nobles d) blends both RCC and Protestant practices, Book of Common Prayer e) 1547 - Queen Mary seeks return of RCC in England Henry VIII had 6 wives!

13. f) 1558 -Queen Elizabeth formalizes the Church of England - Puritans – wanted to eliminate all RCC elements - Elizabeth compromises with: Elizabethan Settlement – outlaws other churches, but maintains RCC traditions g) today – Anglicans, Episcopalians

14. The Catholic Reformation A. 1542 - The Inquisition - the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office 1. Some in the RCC were resistant to change 2. Last effort to stamp out heresy but ineffective B. 1545-1563 -- The Council of Trent 1. The RCC Reaffirmed: - religious authority = Scripture + tradition - 7 sacraments - transubstantiation 2. The RCC Reformed: - indulgences - strengthened discipline w/in clergy - emphasis on education - reconciliation w/Protestants

15. The Reformations: Revolution or Continuity? A. Protestant Historian POV: 1. the Reformations were the result of a radical revolution, a fragmentation of the church B. Catholic Historian POV: 1. the Catholic Reformation was underway internally before Luther