Chapter 3 The Protestant Reformation
THINK/PAIR/SHARE
What was the Protestant Reformation?
What inspired it?
Who were key individuals that were a part of it?
What were the lasting effects?
Humanism: Christian Humanism-product of Renaissance
-spread north
-different approach than secular/individual Italian humanism
*Concerned with reform of the Catholic Church* /
What’s wrong with the Church?
- Many clergy were immoral
- Many clergy bought church positions and neglected their duties
- Popes entangled in Italian politics and patronizing artists
- AMASSING TREMENDOUS WEALTH
The Church Business
“SALVATION IS OUR BUSINESS AND BUSINESS IS GOOD”
1. Relics
-Church issued licenses to merchants
-Sold “relics”: fake bones of Saints
-Claiming forgiveness, fortune, and salvation
2. Expensive Pilgrimages
-Pilgrimage?
3. Selling Indulgences
-Parchment signed by church official that forgave sin and released soul from purgatory
-John Tetzel Quote:
“Don't you hear the voices of your dead parents and other relatives crying out, "Have mercy on us, for we suffer great punishment and pain. From this, you could release us with a few alms . . . We have created you, fed you, cared for you and left you our temporal goods. Why do you treat us so cruelly and leave us to suffer in the flames, when it takes only a little to save us? “
Early Christian Humanists:
-John Wycliffe-Questioned extravagant wealth of church
-Questioned indulgences /
-Jan Huss
-Questioned clergy behavior
-Stressed Bible over Church
-Burned at the Stake /
-Desiderius Erasmus
-church should slow people how to live
good Christian lives
-Emphasized more simple and internal
faith
NOT: pilgrimages, fasts, relics
-LAID EGG OF REFORMATION THAT LUTHER WILL COME HATCH /
REFORMS DIDN’T TAKE OFF UNTIL MARTIN LUTHER
Martin Luther-Monk in Catholic Monastery
-Disgusted with life
-disgusted with church practices
-disgusted with himself the
sinner
-fasts, prays, confesses
-still feels he’s condemned /
-Determined to find the answer to salvation!
The Epiphany of Martin Luther…..READING
Studied Bible intensely-especially letters from St. Paul
-THE ANSWER: “The Justice of God”
-Salvation is a gift from God
-cannot be earned
through good
works/traditions
-Only By FAITH (Internal)
-Faith can only be achieved by
studying the Bible /
INDULGENECES: THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION
-Albert of Mainz
-large debt from buying church offices
-idea: sell indulgences to raise money
-split fifty/fifty with Pope-St. Peter’s Basilica
-Hires John Tetzel
-Sells indulgences like a salesman
“As soon as coin in coffer rings, soul from purgatory springs”
-Not to create a new religion
-Stir discussion
-new theory on salvation
-church reform /
-IDEAS UNEXPECTEDLY CIRCULATE RAPIDLY THROUGHOUT GERMANY, WHY?????
TENSION RISES
-Luther continues writing and speaking about reform
1. Church’s 7 sacraments?
-keep only two Baptism and Eucharist
2. Clergy Celibate?
-Catholic Church- priests must be celibate
-Luther- God made Eve for Adam
- Clergy is allowed to marry
- Avoid sin and lust
- Luther actually marries former nun Katharina von Bora
3. Papal Infallibility and Authority
-Pope sends letter to Luther to recant writings and words
-Luther publicly burns letter
-Luther also publicly denounces Pope’s infallibility (perfection)
Catholic Church
-Luther is ex-communicated by Pope
-Pope pressures Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V to put down Luther and his
message
Q Why?
-German people are loving Luther’s
message
-Creates religious and political conflict in
Holy Roman Empire /
DIET OF WORMS
-assembly of German nobility, emperor, and Luther
-Luther is tried for heresy
-Luther is ordered to change his views and restore order
-In the face of possibly being burned at the stake as punishment Luther Refuses
-Luther is banned from the empire!
How then does Lutheranism Rise and Spread?
KEY- Luther’s ideas are supported by German Nobility (local landowning rulers)
-Frederick of Saxony even kidnaps, hides, and protects Luther
-Like his ideas
-especially take the rich and wealthy Catholic Church lands in Germany
-Replace Catholic Church with state run Lutheran Churches
-Luther translates Bible into German vernacular
-Luther develops new mass based solely on Bible
- Luther writes hymns and songs
-Lutheranism is not officially recognized until Charles V signs the Peace of Augsburg
Peace of Augsburg
-German Nobility force Charles V to sign
-ACCEPTS DIVISION OF CHRISTIANITY IN GERMANY
-Allows German rulers to choose between Catholic or Lutheranism in their territory
“Who’s the region, His the religion”
Reason for Luther’s success in starting the Reformation is the support he received from the German Nobility!