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Explore the catalysts and key figures that led to the Reformation, including the corruption within the Catholic Church, political conflicts with European monarchs, and the rise of Protestant reformers. Discover how the Reformation brought about significant changes in religious beliefs and practices.
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The Weakening of the Catholic Church • By the 1300s, many Catholics felt that the church had become far too worldly and corrupt. • Many church leaders acted immorally. • Church leaders lived in palaces and wore jeweled robes.
Two Major Problems within the Catholic Church Political conflict between the pope and European monarchs The church’s worldliness and corruption
Corruption in the Church • Indulgences made it seem that people could buy forgiveness of sins. • An indulgence was a release from punishment for sins • People who received indulgences did not have to perform good deeds to make up for their sins • During the Middle Ages, the church traded indulgences for gifts, good works, and $$
Corruption in the Church The Church also sold offices or leadership positions. This practice is called simony. Instead of being chosen for their merit, buyers simply paid for their appointments. In addition, people were charged to see holy relics and had to pay tithes to the church (Rome) as well as taxes to their own governments.
Political Conflict Between the Pope and the European Monarchs • Church claimed to be independent of monarchs’ rule • The groups fought over property, appointments to church offices
The Great Schism • Popes and monarchs fought for political and economic power. • From 1309 to 1377, the French control the papacy (Avignon Captivity) • In 1377, the Great Schism occurs: Romans name one pope, the French another. Eventually, another pope was named. So there were 3 popes!
John Wycliffe (1330-1384) • Challenged the church’s tithe. • Questioned the pope’s authority. • Attacked indulgences and the clergy’s immoral behavior. • Bible (not pope) was the supreme authority. • Translated the Bible into English.
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) • Mystic • Showed that people could lead spiritual lives that went beyond the norms of the church. • Emphasized personal experience of God more than formal observance of church practices.
Jan Hus (1370-1415) • Criticized church’s wealth. • Spoke out against pope’s authority. • Called for end of corruption. • Bible and mass in common language, not Latin.
Council of Constance (1414-1418) • Ended Great Schism. • Had Jan Hus burned for heresy. • Had John Wycliff’s body removed from cemetery and burned.
Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) • Humanist • Priest, and devoted Catholic • The Praise of Folly, satire of society and clergy. • Argued for return to simple Christian goodness. • Wanted to reform church from within. • Attacked church corruption.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) • Reformation begins with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. • Protested indulgences and church corruption. • People could achieve salvation through faith alone. • Church could not grant salvation. • Bible is true authority. • Priesthood of all Christians. • Declared heretic at Diet at Worms.
Huldrych Zwingli (1481-1531) and John Calvin (1509-1564): Protestant reformers founded churches in Switzerland.
William Tyndale (c.1491-1536) • An English priest scholar and writer • Translated the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament into English. • Put to death for heresy.
Henry VIII of England (1491-1547) • Started Church of England (Anglican) because he wanted a divorce, and he did not want to share power or wealth with the Catholic Church.
The Spread of the Reformation • People were attracted to new forms of Christian faith. • Printing press • Rulers learned from Luther’s experience that they could win independence from the Catholic Church.
