Protestant Reformation Unit 3 SSWH 9 d Protestant

Protestant Reformation Unit 3, SSWH 9 d

Protestant Reformation = “Religious Reform” • Renaissance: emphasized the secular & individuality (challenged Church authority) • Rulers challenge Church’s political power • Critics claimed leaders in the Church were corrupt (living extravagantly, fathered children, married, drank, gambled, & poorly educated)

• Friar Johann Tetzel sold indulgences (forgiveness for the punishment of their sins) to congregation • Selling indulgences: people could buy their way into heaven • 95 Theses: Martin Luther posted 95 arguments against Johann Tetzel’s actions & the church

Luther’s Ideas • People could win salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness • All church teachings should be clearly based on the words of the Bible • All people with faith are equal

Impact of the Reformation • Followers of Martin Luther called Lutherans • The princes who protected Luther /protested against Pope = “Protestants” • Churches that practiced non-Catholic ways = Protestants • Peace of Augsburg: meeting to stop fighting bet. Catholics & Protestant princes

• Meeting allowed princes to choose the type of church for their state • Protestantism broke into several diff. church branches • Govts. quarreled over what church people should follow

John Calvin’s Ideas • Luther idea influenced Calvin, humans cannot earn a place in heaven • (Calvin) Predestination: Believed that God chooses who will be saved • Believed govt. should be controlled by religious leaders (theocracy)

• Created a self-governing city with strict rules (no bright colors, playing cards) • His teachings influenced the formation of other Protestant branches

Legacy of Reformation • Left Europe culturally divided & ended Christian unity: Protestant & Catholic • Protestant churches flourished & new denominations developed • Role of education was emphasized • Catholic Church power declined • Individual monarchs & state gained power