The Protestant Reformation

Gutenberg’s Printing Press

The Gutenberg Printing Press led to a rise in literacy throughout Europe and the mass printing of the Bible

More European Christians could then read the bible to have a greater understanding of their religion.

Corruption in the Catholic Church

Many had entered the clergy to gain power and wealth rather than because of faith.

They sometimes held more church positions than they could properly fulfill, or had secret spouses or children.

The Pope and members of the Church hierarchy acted more like secular princes than spiritual leaders.

The spirit of inquiry of the Renaissance, as well as knowledge of the widespread corruption of the Church, led to new challenges to the Pope’s authority

Early Reformers

People like Erasmus in Holland and Sir Thomas Moore in England sought reform within the Catholic Church. Church leaders were slow to respond

Indulgences

In the early sixteenth century, the Catholic Church had fallen into the practice of selling indulgences – pardons from punishment for committing a sin, allowing a sinner to enter heaven

The Pope was using money from the sale of indulgences to construct St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Johann Tetzel

One priest particularly embodied the corruption of the Church, Johann Tetzel

Tetzel championed practices like selling indulgences for future sins

Tetzel created rhymes describing the practice of selling indulgences: "As soon a coin in the bowl rings, a soul

from purgatory springs."

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a monk, who decided to make clear his objections with Catholic corruption, namely, the practice of selling indulgences

In 1517, Luther posted Ninety-Five Theses on a church door in Germany.

His theses challenged the Pope’s right to sell indulgences 6. “The Pope cannot forgive any guilt, except by declaring

and showing that it has been forgiven by God. If his right to grant forgiveness in these cases were disregarded, the guilt would certainly remain unforgiven”

28. “It is certainly possible that when the money clinks in the bottom of the chest, avarice and greed increase…”

Martin Luther

“Those who believe that they can be certain of their salvation because they have indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers”

Luther believed that neither priests nor the Pope had special powers to provide salvation to individuals.

Luther concluded that only through faith in God could a person be saved and go to Heaven.

Luther believed each individual must read and understand the Bible for himself to achieve this faith

Luther’s ideas spread very quickly as his 95 theses were mass produced and he continued to write, challenging the Church’s authority

The Church's Response to Luther

Because of his writings, the Pope excommunicated Luther – expelling him from the Church.

Luther was then summoned to appear before Charles V (the Holy Roman Emperor) and representatives of the German states at the city of Worms.

When Luther refused to recant at this Diet (assembly) of Worms, Charles V banned him as an outlaw.

Despite, the Church’s efforts, Luther’s message became very popular

It spread quickly, meaning different things to different people

Lutheran Church

Luther received protection from many German princes, who helped him spread his message

Luther established the Lutheran Church, which would encourage each person to read and understand the bible for themselves

To assist with this, Luther translated the New Testament into German and wrote many pamphlets to persuade others

The reformers became known as ProtestantsMany German princes adopted Protestantism,

using this as an opportunity to seize Church lands and close monasteries

Gutenberg's printing press helped Luther spread his ideas throughout Europe

Other reformers followed Luther’s lead, but had different interpretations of Christianity.

This gave rise to many later reformers creating many different protestant churches

John Calvin

John Calvin started a new Protestant Church in Geneva.Calvin argued that since God was all-knowing, it was

predestined (already decided by God) who would be saved and who would be damned.

Only the “Elect” would be savedCalvinists encouraged hard work and a strict moral code.They saw worldly success as a sign of God’s favor.

The Anglican Church

In England, King Henry VIII fell in love with Anne Boleyn.

However, Henry VIII was married to Catherine of Aragon.

Henry VIII asked the Pope for a divorce, but the Pope refused.

Henry VIII responded by seizing all Church lands, closing English monasteries, and declaring himself the head of the English Church with the Act of Supremacy in 1534

With himself as the head of the Anglican Church, he divorced Catherine of Aragon

Effects of the Reformation

End of Religious Unity The religious unity of Western Europe, which had lasted for

a thousand year, was shattered forever. Europe’s religious differences led to a century of warfare

between Protestants & CatholicsGrowth of Royal Power

Without a powerful central church, the power of European kings began to grow. For example, in England, Henry VIII felt empowered to start his own church

Persecution Rulers tried to ensure that their subjects were all of one

faith. This often led to the persecution of religious minorities

Most Important effect of Protestant Reformation

More power to the individual

If people could be entrusted with the responsibility of their own salvation, then what other things might individuals be trusted with

Political power for individuals

Economic independence and power to the individual

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