Chapter 12:Chapter 12:

The Renaissance & The Renaissance & ReformationReformation

The Reformation

• The major goal of humanism in northern Europe was to reform Christendom.

Main Ideas

The Protestant ReformationThe Protestant Reformation

• Martin Luther’sMartin Luther’s religious reforms led to the emergence of Protestantism.

““I do not accept the authority of popes and councils… my I do not accept the authority of popes and councils… my conscience is captive to the word of God. …Here I stand and conscience is captive to the word of God. …Here I stand and I can not do otherwise. God help me. Amen.I can not do otherwise. God help me. Amen.””

– – Martin Luther April 18Martin Luther April 18thth, 1521, 1521

The Protestant ReformationThe Protestant Reformation

• Christian humanistsChristian humanists believed in the ability of human beings to reason and reason and improve themselvesimprove themselves.

• They wanted to reformreform the Catholic Church.

• This reform would occur through developing inner pietyinner piety, or religious feeling, based on studying the works of Christianity – not rules & ritualsnot rules & rituals.

Erasmus and Christian HumanismErasmus and Christian Humanism

• The best known Christian humanist was Desiderius Erasmus.Desiderius Erasmus.

• He developed what he called “the philosophy of Christ,”“the philosophy of Christ,” meant to show people how to live good lives on a daily basis rather than how to achieve salvation.

““Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.”Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.”

•In his 1509 work The Praise of FollyThe Praise of Folly, he especially criticized the monks.

He did not wish to break from the church, He did not wish to break from the church, just reform it.just reform it.

Background to the Reformation

• Between 1450 and 1520 a series of popes failed to meet the Church’s spiritual needs.

• They were more concerned with the political interests of the Papal States.

• Julius IIJulius II, the “warrior-pope,” even led armies against his enemies.

• Many people were disgusted with him and the Catholic Church.

Religion on the Eve of the ReformationReligion on the Eve of the Reformation

Church CorruptionChurch Corruption

• Church officials seemed ignorant of their spiritual duties, especially instructing the faithful on achieving: salvationsalvation –acceptance into Heaven.acceptance into Heaven.

• As a result, obtaining salvation became almost mechanical; by collecting relics, for example.

• Venerating a saint could gain an indulgenceindulgence–release from all or part of punishment for sin–according to the Church of the time.

Religion on the Eve of the ReformationReligion on the Eve of the Reformation

IndulgencesIndulgences

Johann Tetzel’s Slogan:Johann Tetzel’s Slogan:

““As soon as the coin in As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory soul from purgatory springs!”springs!”

Martin Martin Luther Luther

- - GermanyGermany

95 Theses:95 Theses:Posted them to

the doorReform topics

for debate