TheProtestant

Reformation

TheProtestant

Reformation

R. H. Bainton The Reformation of the 16c

Thus, the papacy emerged as something between an Italian city-state and European power, without forgetting at the same time the claim to be the vice-regent of Christ. The Pope often could not make up his mind whether he was the successor of Peter or of Caesar. Such vacillation had much to do with the rise and success of the Protestant Reformation.

Caricature of Pope Alexander VI by Martin Luther, 1545

Caricature of Pope Alexander VI by Martin Luther, 1545

Causes of the Reformation? Crises of the 14th & 15th centuries

Corruption in the Catholic Church Simony Pluralism Absenteeism Sale of indulgences Nepotism Moral decline of the Papacy Clerical ignorance

Criticism John Wycliff (1329-84) Jan Hus (1369-1415) Thomas a’ Kempis (1380-1471) Erasmus

The Spread of the Printing PressThe Spread of the Printing Press

The Holy Roman

Empire in the 16c

The Holy Roman

Empire in the 16c

Martin Luther

• At father’s urgings began to study law at the University of Erfurt.

• Epiphany• Augustinian Monk and later Professor

at University of Wittenberg, Saxony• Philosophical problem- How could

good works ensure salvation?

Tetzel and Indulgences

• Crusades• Cathedral of Saint Peter • Leo X commissioned Tetzel to sell

indulgences to finance this venture• “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings,

a soul from purgatory springs.”

95 Theses

• October 31, 1517• Nailed or delivered????• Criticism of Church authority

– Questioned scriptural authority– Initial indifference from Leo X– Defiance & protection– Debate– 1520 Published theology of reform– Excommunication- 1520 Exurge Domine

The Spread of LutheranismThe Spread of Lutheranism

Diet of Wurms (Worms) 1521

• Mandated for excommunications by Charles V

• Luther refused to recant– “Here I stand, I can do no other”

• “Edict of Wurms”• Protected by Frederick III• Confessions of Augsburg 1530• Many German states turn to Lutheranism

– Seizure of Catholic Church lands

Charles V, HRE (Hapsburg)

• STOP the spread of Protestantism

• Tried to maintain religious unity in fragmented Empire

• Focused on war with Ottomans and dynastic struggle in France (really sought to unify Europe)

The Peasant Revolt – 1524-1525The Peasant Revolt – 1524-1525

aka Peasant’s War, German Peasant’s Revolt, Swabian Peasant’s Uprising

• Twelve Articles: – Demanded end to serfdom, tithes, hunting rights,

& other feudal practices

• Peasants resort to extreme violence• Luther

– People should obey worldly authorities– Sympathetic but abhors their violence– Urges German princes to meet violence with

violence.– BOTH Catholic and Lutheran forces will take part

in smashing the revolt- est 100k dead

Taking Sides

• Schmalkalden League– Formed by Lutheran princes to defend against

Charles V– Francis I of France allies with

• Habsburg-Valois Wars (5X—1521-55)– Catholic France supports Lutherans to keep Germany

divided– Charles wins but at what cost?

• Lutheranism spread everywhere• Charles gives up on restoring Catholicism to the HRE

1555 Peace of Augsburg

• Cuius regio, eius religio• Voluntary(?) resettlement by religion• Results in permanent religious division• Reaffirms the independence of many

German states• This division stunted German nationalism;

Germany will not be unified as a state until 1871

MORE PROTESTANTS

• Anabaptists: – Rejected secular agreements– No childhood baptism– Rejected the Trinity

• Longterm– Mennonites– Quakers– Unitarians

Calvin’s World in the 16cCalvin’s World in the 16c

calvinism

• John Calvin 1509-1564• Studies as a priest and then a….

– LAWYER• Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

– “Predestination”– Theocracy in Zurich 1540– Consistory– Presbyterianism (Scotland)– Puritans

ProtestantChurches

inFrance

(Late 16c)

ProtestantChurches

inFrance

(Late 16c)

ReformationEurope

(Late 16c)

ReformationEurope

(Late 16c)