The Protestant Reformation

Modern World History 102011-2012Androstic

Martin Luther

• Catholic monk in Wittenberg, Germany

• Studied the bible, and developed his own theory on salvation

• His theory was called justification by faith

Justification by faith…

Salvation comes from faith alone, because no person can perform enough good works to earn salvation.

This idea conflicted with Catholic teachings, but Luther read it in the Bible. He therefore saw the Bible as the source of absolute truth, not what religious leaders (like the pope) said.

Major complaints that Martin Luther had with the Catholic Church.

Luther’s biggest complaint was over the sale of indulgences.

Indulgences were documents sold by the church. Purchasing one was advertised as a way to have your sins forgiven.

Luther believed these indulgences were simply a way for the church to earn money, and more likely hurt your chances for salvation by buying them.

What did Luther do?

He posted a list of his complaints on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg (1517).

These are now known as the “95 Theses.”

The church’s reaction to Martin Luther’s protests:

1517-1521: Requiring Luther to recant (go back on) his criticisms of the church.

1521: Luther was excommunicated from the church.

1521: The Edict of Worms declared Luther an outlaw, ordered his writings burned, and called for his capture and execution.

Catholicism Protestantism

Salvation by faith and works

Seven sacraments

Justification by faith

Two sacraments

Christian beliefs in Jesus as savior

Sale of indulgences accepted

Truth in Bible and papal decrees

Indulgences not respected

Truth only from the Bible

As Martin Luther’s message was spread and

adopted throughout Germany and beyond,

Lutheranism became the first Protestant faith.

But many more Protestant faiths would develop

throughout Europe, all representing a

version of Christianity.

Ulrich Zwingli, Zwinglists

• Christians should be free from papal control

• No religious symbols and figures – borderline Pagan worshipping of idols

• Simplified mass to replace Catholic mass

• Eucharist is symbolic of the Last Supper

The growth and ideology of Calvinism in Switzerland.

• Led by John Calvin

• Calvin preached predestination

• Calvinists should lead a moral life regardless

• Strict enforcement of religious beliefs

Anabaptists

• Derived from Zwinglists

• Followed only the bible for rules in faith and life, rather than gov’ts

• “anabaptists” meaning “one who baptizes again” – believers in adult baptism (no baptizing infants)

Anabaptist descendants include the Amish and

Mennonites.

The causes of the English Reformation of the church.

King Henry VIII was a strong supporter of Catholicism

Henry asked the Pope for an annulment from his wife, Catherine of Aragon, because he needed a male heir.

The causes of the English Reformation of the church.

• The pope refused, and Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy in 1534

• The Act of Supremacy named Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England, later called the Anglican Church

The policies of the Anglican Church.

• Under Henry’s leadership, the king had control over religious doctrine, but Henry mostly followed Catholic teachings

• Under heir Edward VI, the Anglican Church gave clergy the right to marry and developed a Protestant church service

Identify the three pillars of the Catholic Reformation.

Explain the role of the Jesuits in the Catholic Reformation.

Describe reforms to the papacy.

Identify the role of the Council of Trent in the Catholic Reformation.