The Reformation 1517 1650 Vocabulary Indulgences a document

The Reformation 1517 -1650

Vocabulary Indulgences- a document from the pope that forgives your sins Tithe- 10% of your income goes to the Church Purgatory- a place between heaven and hell, where your soul goes to get cleansed before entering Heaven Predestination- only those chosen by God would get salvation Canonized- to make someone a saint Humanism- The movement for the individual to take control of their lives Reformation-Movement to reform the Catholic Church

Corruption in the Church

Sale of Indulgences • Used as a way for the Church to make $$$ – Church “salesmen” went around Europe basically selling forgiveness of sins! – The individual who bought these though, was supposed to repent their sins however, this rarely happened. – The very first advertising jingle in history was actually developed by a famed 16 th century preacher of indulgences, Johann Tetzel, whose catchy line was: “When the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs. ”

Indulgences

Avignon Papacy • In the Catholic Church most popes were Italian however, Italy had no power • France on the other hand, was becoming powerful and desired a French Pope • Moved to Avignon, France for 100 years.

Avignon Papacy Cont. • Both Rome and Avignon voted for a new pope. – The two popes excommunicated each other – In order to fix the problem, a third pope was elected, but this only further strained the problem. In the end… All three popes quit and a new pope was elected in Rome The entire fiasco really weakened the credibility of the Catholic Church.

Building of St. Peter’s Cathedral • Designed by Michelangelo • The finances for the new cathedral were immense • In order to pay for the cathedral the Church began to push the sale of indulgences hard • Due to that many people within Europe saw this as the final straw. The Pope was even compared to the Anti. Christ! • Calls for church reform went up throughout Europe

The Protestant Reformation

Causes of the Reformation • Humanism – The Renaissance, led people to question the authority of the church and place greater faith in human reason. • The rise of nation-states – led monarchs to resent the power of the Pope (by appointing bishops who controlled vast amounts of land) in their countries.

Causes of the Reformation • Economic restrictions such as the ban on usury, or charging interest on loans – created opposition among members of the new middle class. • People resented the mandatory tithe – (10% tax) • Corruption within the Catholic Church caused a crisis of faith among believers.

Pre- Luther Reformers • John Hus of Czechoslovakia and Savonarola of Florence, Italy called for reform of the Catholic Church in the 1400’s. • They called for an end of corruption, higher moral standards, and simplification of church practices. • Both were executed!

Martin Luther • German born – Luther becomes a monk and studied theology at the University of Wittenberg, earning a Ph. D in Bible Studies. • In 1517, the papal indulgences seller came to Wittenberg, Germany • On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted a list of complaints against the Catholic Church called The Ninety-Five Thesis, or questions for debate.

Aftermath • Taken as an attack on the church, Luther is called to recant his beliefs by the Pope, and later, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. • “Here I Stand” was Luther’s reply, meaning to stay true to his conscience. • The Diet of Worms acknowledges Luther as a heretic and calls for his execution.

Aftermath • Luther’s ideas received support from the Christian Humanists and the German Princes, who see this as a means of getting more power. • Luther, under the protection of a German prince, further develops his new theology.

Luther’s New Theology Catholic 1) Salvation through Faith and Works 2) Theology is based on the Bible and other canonized writings 3) One reaches God through the Priests of the Church, who play a very important in the church. Protestant 1) Salvation through Faith alone 2) Theology is based on the Sole Authority of the Bible 3) One reaches God by serving as their own priest, placing the importance on the individual.

Salvation through Faith Alone • The Catholics thought works, such as the buying of indulgences, lessens your time in Purgatory • The Protestant believes that only by God’s grace are you saved; therefore, you cannot earn your way into heaven. – Eph. 2: 8 -9

Bible is the Sole Authority • Catholics study and believe the Bible and the works of men, such as Saint Thomas Aquinas, are equally important. • The Protestants believe (for the most part) that if is not in the Bible, it is not true theology. – Protestants practice only 2 of the Catholic’s 7 sacraments – No Purgatory, since it is not Biblical – The invention of the printing press allows the Bible to be read by the common people.

Priesthood of the Believer • The Catholic Priest exercises great authority over the individuals of the congregation, by forgiving their sins (Confession) and administering the sacraments of the church. • Protestants believe that each individual is responsible for their own spiritual well-being or relationship with God.

Calvinism

John Calvin • Lawyer from Geneva, Switzerland. • Dedicated to humanist reform of the Church. • Leads a protestant revolt in 1520. – 1535 – Spread of Protestantism throughout Switzerland Geneva.

Beliefs of Calvinism Based on the teachings of John Calvin. 1. Predestination Since God knew the future, humans had no real choice in salvation; God has already preordained who is to obtain salvation. 2. Moral Behavior / Protestant Work Ethic Calvinists were noted for their hard work with a good attitude. Calvinists would not gamble, dance, swear, dress elegantly, etc. (Think Pilgrims) 3. The Church should govern the State With a strong church there no need for separate civil government.

Anglicanism

Politics and Church • Henry VIII of England at first supports the Catholic cause against Luther by writing the Defense of the Seven Sacraments. • Because of his support, the Pope gave the King of England the additional title “Defender of the Faith. ”

Political Expediency • When his older, first wife failed to produce a male heir, Henry sought a divorce. • Since his wife Catherine of Aragon was the niece of the King of Spain, the Pope refused.

The Church of England • In a unique move, Henry breaks away from the Catholic church and created the Church of England or Anglicanism, with himself as the Head of the Church – He keeps the title “Defender of the Faith” • He grants himself a divorce and continues his search for a queen to give him a male heir.

Anglicanism • The Church of England keeps many of the practices and theology of the Catholic Church. • After all, he just wanted a divorce! • The next 100 years will be a struggle between the high church Anglicans and the Calvinistic Puritans. • The American branch of the Church of England is the Episcopalian church.

The Counter-Reformation A series of reforms instituted by the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation.

Society of Jesus • Jesuits founded by Ignatius of Loyola. – Inspired while recovering from being wounded in France. – Reads classic Christianity- impressed by the absolute sacrifice of the saints and martyrs. • Call for a return to the strictest and most uncompromising obedience to the authority of the Church and its hierarchy.

The Jesuits • By 1630, • 15, 000 all over the world. • Their mission: – The elimination of heretics who refused to obey the Church, including Protestants and non. Christians.

Inquisition • The Catholic Church’s system to weed out heretics of the faith. • Used torture as a means of determining guilt or innocence. – Those found guilty were usually burned at the stake, to purify their body in hope to go to heaven. – Witchcraft trials (although Protestants also did this. ) **Really popular in Spain after the Reconquista in order to get rid of Jews and Muslims

Exploration • Many Catholic countries such as Spain and Portugal sought to expand Roman Catholicism in to the New World and the Far East. – God, Gold, and Glory • Roman Catholicism becomes the religion of South America and the Philippines, where Spain was in control.

Council of Trent • 1545 - called by Pope Paul III in an attempt to reform the Catholic Church. • Sale of indulgences – Maintained the practice but reformed the abuses. • Bishops – Must reside in the region they preside over. – May not sell Church offices. • Building of Seminaries – One Seminary (college to study a religions’ theology) should be built in every diocese so that church doctrine could be fully and accurately represented.

Anabaptists

Anabaptists • Refused to wear wedding rings, take oaths, or work for civil government • Radical new thinking about baptism: A person had to be consciously aware of their decision about religion, so only adults could be baptized! Due to this they were universally hated by both the Catholics and Protestants.

Why was the Reformation so successful? 1) Most people were tired of Catholic abuses of power 2) The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V was busy fighting the Ottomans for control over Austria. This prevented him from squashing the Protestants. 3) Humanism and the questioning attitudes of the day. 4) Printing Press- they would never be able to find every copy