The Reformation

1517-1650

Protestant Reformation - a religious

movement in the 1500s that split the Christian church (in western Europe) and led to the establishment of a number of new churches

People grew displeased with the churches… Financial Corruption Abuse of Power Immorality

What is the Protestant Reformation?

Breakdown of

Denominations

The Western Schism (1378-1418)

Two Catholic popes questioning the Papal Authority

Renaissance scholar Erasmus The Praise of Folly Criticism of the Catholic Church

Factors Before the Reformation

Factors Before the Reformation

The Printing Press!!!! Books are now

available to the masses not just the rich! (Faster production=cheaper books)

People have access to books whenever they want them How does this relate to

the Reformation? Explain your answer?

Printing Press = 3,600 pages per workdayHand Printing = 40 pages per workday

Factors Before the Reformation Church is selling

indulgences!

Indulgences - pardons issued by the pope that people could buy to reduce a soul’s time in purgatory = (People could buy forgiveness)

Fun FactThe last words of John Hus (early reformer) were:

“In 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be

suppressed”

Almost exactly 100 years later, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed up his famous 95 Theses

Martin Luther Luther was a

German monk and professor of theology (religion) at the University of Wittenberg

One of the many leaders of the Protestant Reformation

In 1517, the 95 Theses were nailed to a church

door - they were written in Latin Luther’s intention: NOT TO BREAK WITH CHURCH,

BUT REFORM IT!

Criticized: 1. Indulgences2. Power of Pope3. Wealth of Church

God’s Grace won by FAITH ALONE! Catholic View: Good Works

Luther’s 95 Theses

In 1520 Pope Leo X

excommunicated Luther

Excommunication- expelled him from the church

Luther went on to form the Lutheran Church (branch of Protestant Church)

Excommunication

Do belief systems divide or unite people?

How did religious reform lead to conflict? To what extent were these conflicts resolved?

How were reformers a reflection of Renaissance ideals?

Today’s Focus: Why did Martin Luther challenge the Catholic

Church?

Reformation Inquiry Questions

Historians often find two opposing accounts of the

same event and sometimes, they are even written by the same person.

To figure out what happened, they use the skill of SOURCING to determine when, where, and why a document was written.

They also use CORROBORATION to compare accounts and look for similarities and differences

Why did Luther challenge the Catholic Church?

Through reading the two documents, you will

try to explain the differences between the documents and decide which one is a more reliable answer to our question:

Why did Martin Luther challenge the Catholic Church?

Your Task

John Calvin in Switzerland

Believed in Predestination God knows who will be saved, even before people

are born, and therefore guides the lives of those destined for salvation

Purified approach to life: No drinking, swearing, gambling etc..

Wanted a simpler church

Other Reformers: Calvinism

King Henry VIII of England

Originally supported the Pope (Fidei Defensor) and criticized Luther

Later, Henry VIII wanted a divorce and split from the Catholic Church when the Pope refused

Declared himself the head of the Church of England (Anglican Church)

English Reformation

Breakdown of

Denominations

A Historical Debate: An internal Catholic

reform or a result of Protestant criticism?

Catholic Church met many times from 1545-1648 Discussed the abuses of the Catholic Church Other debates:

Structure Religious Orders Spiritual Movements Politics

Counter-Reformation