Download The Reformation

The Reformation
For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church had little competition in religious thought and
action. The resistance of the church to change led to the Protestant
Reformation, which resulted in the birth of new political and
economic institutions. The Protestant Reformation was the
challenge to Roman Catholic thought and action that
dominated religious belief in Europe.
Conflicts that Challenged the Authority of the Church
in Rome:
- Merchant wealth challenged Church’s view of usury.
Usury is lending out money and charging high interest in
return. The Church was against usury, so banks were
formed.
- German and English nobility disliked Italian domination of
the Church.
- The Church’s great wealth and political power caused conflict.
- Church corruption and sale of indulgences were wide spread and caused conflict. An
indulgence is a pardon sold by the Catholic Church to reduce a person’s punishment for
sins. Also, simony took place. Simony is the selling of official positions in the Medieval
Roman Catholic Church.
Key Players in the Reformation
Martin Luther, a German monk, began the Reformation around 1517. Upset about the
selling of indulgences, he wrote about it and spoke out against the church. After he was
excommunicated (kicked out), his ideas spread.
Martin Luther (The Lutheran Tradition):
- Views: Salvation by faith alone, Bible as the ultimate authority, all
humans equal before God.
- Actions: Luther wrote 95 theses, birth of the Protestant Church.
John Calvin, another important Protestant reformer, expanded the
Protestant Reformation.
John Calvin (Calvinist Tradition):
- Views: Predestination is faith revealed by living a righteous life, work
ethic. God decides in advance who will be saved.
- Actions: Expansion of the Protestant Movement.
Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were political leaders who brought about
the Protestant Reformation.
King Henry VIII:
- Views: Dismissed the authority of the Pope in Rome.
- Actions: Divorced; broke with Rome; headed the national church
in England (Anglican Church); appropriated lands and wealth of the
Roman Catholic Church in England.
Queen Elizabeth I:
- View: Supported the Anglican Church.
- View: Tolerated dissenters or people with different beliefs.
- Action: Supported English expansion and colonialism.
- Action: Defeated the Spanish Armada (fleet of ships) in 1588, further
driving off the Catholic Church and showing England’s power.
Salvation
Sacraments
Head of Church
Importance of Bible
How Belief is Revealed
Catholicism
Salvation is achieved through
faith and good works.
Priests perform seven
sacraments or rituals – baptism,
confirmation, marriage,
ordination, communion,
annointing the sick, and
repentance
Pope
Bible is one source of truth;
Church tradition is another
Priests interpret the Bible and
Church teachings for the people
Lutheranism
Salvation is achieved though
faith
Accepts some of the sacraments,
but rejects others because rituals
cannot erase sins – only God
can.
Calvinsm
God alone predetermines who
will be saved
Accepts some of the sacraments,
but rejects others because rituals
cannot erase sin – only God can.
Elected councils
Bible alone is source of truth
Council of elders
Bible alone is the source of truth
People read and interpret the
Bible for themselves
People read and interpret the
Bible for themselves
Political, Economic, and Social Effects of the Reformation
The Reformation had its roots in theology, but it led to
important economic and political changes. Religious
differences and hatreds caused war and destruction.
Reformation in Germany:
- Princes in Northern Germany converted to Protestantism,
ending authority of the Pope in their states.
- The Hapsburg family and the authority of the Holy Roman
Empire continued to support the Roman Catholic Church.
- Conflict between Protestants and Catholics resulted in
devastating wars (e.g., Thirty Years War). Thirty Years’ War
began in 1618 as a conflict between Protestant and Catholic
forces in Europe and ended in 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia.
Reformation in France:
- in 1598, the Catholic monarchy (King Henry of France) granted
Protestant Huguenots (French Protestants) freedom of worship by the
Edict of Nantes (later revoked).
Cardinal Richelieu was given complete control of the government of
France by King Louis XIII in the 1620’s. Cardinal Richelieu took away
the rights of French nobility in order to create an absolute monarchy.
Cardinal Richelieu changed the focus of the Thirty Years’ War from a
religious to a political conflict.
Catholic Reformation:
- Dissenters prior to Luther: Huss, Wycliffe. John Wycliffe
and Jan Huss were reformers who called for changes in the
Catholic Church.
- Counter Reformation: The Council of Trent reaffirmed most
doctrine and practices. The Council of Trent issued
condemnations on what is defined as Protestant heresies and
defined Church teachings in the areas of Scripture and Tradition, Original Sin,
Justification, Sacraments, the Eucharist in Holy Mass and the veneration of saints.
- The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) was founded to spread Catholic doctrine around the
world. Jesuits were organized by Loyola of Spain in 1540 and pledged absolute
obedience to the Pope.
- Inquisition was used to reinforce Catholic doctrine.
At first the Reformation divided the countries of Europe on
religious principles, leading to religious intolerance. Power
in most European states was concentrated in the Monarch.
Gradually religious toleration emerged.
Changing Cultural Values, Traditions, and Philosophies:
- Growth of secularism: Secularism is having to do with events and actions in the
present world rather than spiritual ideas and concepts; seeking fulfillment in daily life.
- Growth of individualism (individual liberty, going against the establishment).
- Eventual growth in religious tolerance.
The Gutenberg printing press developed in 1440 by a German metalworker. The press
had movable metal type so books were produced more quickly and less expensive.
Role of the Printing Press:
- Growth of literacy was stimulated by the Gutenberg printing press.
- The Bible was printed in English, French, and German.
- These factors had an important impact on spreading the ideas of the
Reformation and Renaissance.