Download Lecture Reformation

By Mrs. Hoff
Christianity Breakdown

Christianity
Catholic
Orthodox
Protestant
What was the
Reformation?

 The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split
within Western Christianity initiated by Martin
Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants.
 These reformers were “protesting” certain practices
of the Church; therefore, their followers are called
“Protestants”.
Causes of the
Reformation

 The spread of Renaissance ideas, such as
individualism.
 Claims of corruption among the clergy undermined
the Church’s authority.
 Plague had weakened the Church’s authority.
 Criticism of church practices by earlier religious
leaders.
 People wanted their beliefs to be more personal, to
read the Bible for themselves and have more control
over their salvation.
Luther Challenges the
Church

 Martin Luther, a German monk, protested the sale of
indulgences, how one received salvation, teachings
that didn’t come from the Bible, and the
interpretation of communion, among others.
 He posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church in
Wittenberg, hoping to spark discussion and reform.
 Luther begins to teach his views on salvation and his
own interpretation of the Bible to others.
 The breakup of the churches is called a schism.
The Response to Luther

 The Pope excommunicates Luther.
 The Holy Roman emperor declares Luther a heretic
and outlaw.
 Luther’s followers grow; other kingdoms and
principalities adopt his teachings.
 Sparks a peasant revolt in 1524 and religious wars
within present-day Germany.
Calvin Begins another
Protestant Church

 John Calvin creates his own system of Protestant
theology which spreads quickly.
 The city of Geneva becomes a theocracy based on his
teachings.
 Scottish, Swiss, Dutch, and French reformers adopt
Calvinist doctrine, which leads to many more
religious wars.
England becomes
Protestant

 The pope refuses to annul King Henry VIII’s
marriage.
 Henry resolves the problem by asking Parliament to
end the pope’s power in England.
 Parliament passes an act making the English King,
not the pope, the head of the Church of England.
 Clashes over religious reform grow when Henry’s
heirs take the throne.
Effects of the Protestant
Reformation

 Stimulated the education of women
 Promoted literacy for the masses – printing press
 Justified independence from the church for both the
aristocracy and the common people.
 Religious wars throughout Europe.
 Caused the Counter-Reformation.
Protestantism vs.
Catholicism

Protestant
Catholic
Pope is not the authority of the
church
Pope is the authority of the church
Salvation is by faith alone
Faith and good works needed for
salvation
Bible is the source for teachings
Bible and other church teachings are
the basis for teachings
Individuals interpret the Bible
Priest and Pope interpret the Bible
Communion – Jesus’ presence
Communion – Jesus’ body
Catholic Reformation

 Catholic Church wanted to reform and stop the
spread of Protestantism.
Catholic Reformation
Goals:

 Eliminate the abuse of power
 Rebirth of faith among followers
 Reassess the Church’s beliefs
 Restore the authority of the pope
 Halt the spread of Protestantism
Catholic Reformation
Methods:

 Inquisition:
 Get rid of non-Catholics
 Restore the pope’s authority
 Curtail Humanist thinking – created the first banned
book list in the West
Catholic Reformation
Methods:

 Council of Trent:
 Clearly defined Church doctrine, made it uniform for
all Catholics
 Forbids the sale of indulgences, sets up clergy
behavior, makes the rituals of the Church uniform.
Results:

 Strengthens the church, helps them regain some
members.
 Encourages the missionary spirit of the church to
foreign countries.
 Doesn’t stop the spread of Protestantism.
Why doesn’t it stop the
spread of Protestantism?

 Protestant belief is strong
 The printing press is cranking out Protestant ideas,
so they are spreading far and wide.
 Became the state religion in many areas because it
benefits the rulers of that area (able to seize Catholic
lands, don’t have to pay taxes to the church, don’t
have to listen to the pope).
 For common people, it’s a form of protest against
authority (the nobility and the Pope).