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CALVINISM
The reformation gained ground in Switzerland where the independent cantons joined to form
a republic. (Independence officially recognised by the Peace Treaty of Westphalia, 1648)
Economically strong middle classes – receptive to new ideas
First religious reformer: Ulrich Zwingli 1523
- against Catholic hierarchy, Catholic mass and coelibacy
- demanded the use of the vernacular, secularisation, communion under two substances
- regarded the Bible as the final authority in disputed questions
Zwingli and his followers spread their ideas by the sword, but he was killed in the fight and
his followers agreed with Calvin to act against Catholicism together
JOHN CALVIN - a French theologian, who had to escape from France  Geneva, where he
published his ideas on religion: “Institutes of the Christian Religion” in 1536
1. Predestination : some people are predestined to be sinful, some others might be saved,
God had chosen those who could be saved  “the elect”
The person could be sure that he was one of them by living a rightous life
2. The Elect: their duty was to rule society to glorify god and serve the benefit of the
people
3. Theocracy: a government ruled by the clergy claiming God’s authority, they regulated
the lives and conduct of citizens; prohibited dancing, card playing, showy dresses,
profane language
-violation of these led to severe punishment Calvinist Geneva was not a happy place
4. Revolt: Calvin thought that the power of the ruler came from God (divine right to rule)
but if the ruler broke God’s command it was the right of the community to revolt
against him and free themselves from despotism (major difference from Lutheranism:
Luther preached obedience to rulers!!)
5. Work as virtue: all kinds of work were appealing to God. Laziness was a sin, success
of merchants and businessmen could be the sign that the person was elected by God
6. Church organisation: no central authority like the Pope, no hierarchy
Congregations: basic units of the church
- ecclesiastical members: pastors or ministers (elected)
- presbyters(elders): laymen (elected)
- superintendents: to supervise ministers (appointed)
But church government maintained a strict discipline, required loyalty from its members,
and resisted control by the state
Calvin was very intolerant and convinced of his own truth. He induced the Genevan
authorities to burn Miguel Servetus for his heretical views on the Trinity: Servetus denied
the Holy Trinity, that is the divine nature of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Antitrinitarianism : spread in Poland and Transylvania where it was later on called
Unitarianism.
Calvinism spread mainly in Switzerland, France (Huguenots), the Netherlands, Scotland
(John Knox, Presbyterians)), England (Puritans) and Hungary (Debrecen, Pápa), Poland,
Bohemia, Bavaria.
Cultural significance of the reformation: development of schooling from primary to
tertiary level, of the vernacular and learning in general. Its spread was helped by printing
COUNTER REFORMATION
----- CATHOLIC REVIVAL
1. Order of the Jesuits - Society of Jesus founded by Ignatius Loyola (Spanish soldier)
in 1540 and approved by Paul III monastic vows, promised to obey the pope and do
any missionary work he asked of them, quasi-military organisation, travelled through
Europe preaching, founding schools, advising Catholic monarchs.
2. Pope Paul III -- summoned the Council/Synod of Trent, Italy, 1545-1563: purpose
was to stop reformation, twofold activity: restrictions and concessions
Concessions: banned the sale of indulgencies, prohibited simony and pluralism, tried to
achieve that members of the clergy be better educated and care about the spiritual life of
people, established schools for the clergy and printing houses to spread their ideas,
Catholic liturgy became more spectacular
Restrictions: reaffirmed the belief in the seven sacraments and in the pope as the
supreme head of the Catholic church; restated the doctrines of the church on
transubstantiation, on the veneration of saints, on monasticism; prepared the Index of
Prohibited Books (1559)(Copernicus, Galilei, Giordano Bruno); strengthened the
inquisition (Sanctum Officium/ Holy Office) in 1542
3. Catholic rulers supported the new artistic style called Baroque (El Greco)
Result: France, Bohemia, Austria and partly Hungary : Catholicism regained its strength