Reformation and Religious Warfare in the 16th Century

Catholicism in Crisis Crises in the 14th and 15th centuries

Babylonian Captivity, Great Schism, Conciliar Movement

Corruption Simony-sale of church offices

Pluralism

Absenteeism

Sale of indulgences

Nepotism

Moral decline of the papacy

Clerical ignorance

Prelude to Reformation

Christian or Northern Renaissance Humanism

Discovered a simple religion distorted by complicated theological arguments of the Middle Ages

Education could bring a reform in the church and society

Supported schools

New editions of the classics

New editions of the Bible and writings of church fathers

Christian or Northern Renaissance Humanism

Erasmus

Most influential Christian humanist

Concept of religion-”The Philosophy of Christ”-Christianity should be a guiding philosophy not dogmatic beliefs and practices

Edited and published the Greek text of the New Testament along with a new Latin translation Annotations-commentary on the Vulgate Bible (Latin edition)

In Praise of Folly-1509-humorous but effective criticism of the church

Eventually disapproved of Luther and reformers-didn’t want to destroy the church-just reform

Christian or Northern Renaissance Humanism

Thomas More

Trained in law. Lord chancellor of England (Henry VIII)

Friends with Erasmus

Utopia-idealistic life, communal vs. private ownership

Ends up resigning from post and beheaded for not supporting the king over the church

Church and Religion on the Eve of the Reformation

Pluralism-Taking more than one church office

The Search for Salvation

Salvation became mechanical

Indulgence-a remission after death of all or part of the punishment of sin

Calls for Reform

Several sources of reform were already at work

Martin Luther and the Reformation in Germany

The Early Luther Augustinian monk

Sacraments were the Church’s way of receiving God’s grace

Studied theology to help overcome difficulties-became professor

Justification-grace though faith alone

The Bible is the chief guide for religious truth

The Early Luther The Indulgence Controversy

Pope Leo X-special indulgences to finance St. Peter’s Basilica

Johann Tetzel-Dominican hawked indulgences in Germany Issued his 95 Theses

The Quickening Rebellion 1519-Leipzig Debate vs. Johann Eck Published pamphlets Excommunicated in Jan. of 1521

Diet (formal assembly) of WormsEdict of Worms-Luther was an outlaw, works were to be burned, and Luther was to be captured and delivered to the emperor (his Prince hid him in Wartburg Castle for almost a year)

The Rise of Lutheranism Translated the New Testament into German, but

sermons spread the Word, pamphlets helped

The Spread of Luther’s Ideas

Started as largely urban/upper classes

Some followers became radical. Older humanists unhappy.

The Peasants’ War (mid-1520s)

Peasants upset when Luther didn’t support the revolt

The state and rulers ordained by God and given the authority to maintain peace

Revolts were suppressed

Organizing the Church Kept two sacraments-baptism and communion

Denied transubstantiation

A hierarchical priesthood was not needed-“priesthood of all believers”

Secular authorities in Germany played a role in church affairs

New service-vernacular liturgy-Bible reading, preaching the word of God, song

Married a former nun- Katherina von Bora

Germany and the Reformation: Religion and Politics

Charles V was HRE-immense empire was overextended. Charles’ problems gave Luther’s movement time to grow.

The French and the Papacy

Spain and France were fighting (24 years off and on)

Pope Clement sided with the French initially

April 1527, Rome was sacked

Clement sided with Charles

Germany and the Reformation: Religion and Politics

The Ottoman Empire

15th century-Controlled Constantinople

16th century-Made it to Vienna before turned back

Politics in Germany

Germany had developed into independent states

Diet of Augsburg All Lutherans must return to Catholicism

Lutheran princes formed the Schmalkaldic League to defend each other in case of an attack

Schmalkaldic Wars

1555 Peace of Augsburg-end of religious warfare-each German prince could determine the state’s religion

The Spread of the Protestant Reformation

Lutheranism in Scandinavia Frederick I encouraged the spread of Lutheran

doctrine in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

The Zwinglian Reformation Ulrich Zwingli-influenced by Christian humanism,

priest, began Reformation in Switzerland

Reforms in Zurich

Looked to the state to supervise the church

No decorations or music

A Futile Search for Unity

Some Swiss areas strongly Catholic

Wanted to join forces with Luther, but they split over the symbolic nature of the Lord’s Supper

1531-Fighting between Catholic and Protestant Swiss

The Radical Reformation: The Anabaptists The Ideas of the Anabaptists

No involvement from the state

Adult baptism

Tried to return to practices of early Christianity

Varieties of Anabaptists Munster (nw Germany near Dutch border) became an

Anabaptist haven

Some-millenarianism – radicals led by John of Leiden

Lutherans and Catholics joined forces vs. Munster

Pacifist again-led by Menno Simons

Long-term Impact Amish, Mennonites, Quakers, Unitarians

The Reformation in England Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife for Anne Boleyn

1533-Didn’t happen-Boleyn is pregnant, marries secretly

1534-Act of Supremacy-completed break with Catholic church, king was the head of the church

Treason Act-cannot deny the king is the head of the church

1539-Statute of Six Articles-Anglican Church maintained most of the Catholic doctrines

The Reformation in England The New Order

Thomas Cromwell-financial rescue by closing about 400 religious houses

Henry had a long string of wives

Edward VI was 9 (and sickly) when his father died, regents moved church in a more Protestant direction

Reaction Under Mary (1553-1558)

VERY Catholic, mistrusted by the people

Burned more than 300 Protestants-created a backlash

John Calvin and Calvinism Had a profound conversion experience, no longer safe in Paris

Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)-Protestant thought, secured his role as a new leader

Calvin’s Ideas

Predestination-Since God is all-knowing, He already knows who is going to Heaven

Calvin’s Geneva

Theocracy, 1540, new center of Reformation in Europe

Protestant work ethic

Impact

Presbyterians (Scotland, John Knox), Huguenots (French Calvinists), Dutch Reformed Church, Puritans in England

Did not spread-Ireland, Spain, Italy

The Social Impact of the Protestant Reformation

The Family Catholicism praised family

Celibacy was ideal (IE: clergy)

Reformation brought more positive side to family relationships for P and C

Traditional female roles-House, children-Few choices

However, more women were literate (the Bible)

Education in the Reformation Humanist methods in Protestant secondary schools

Wider audience

Luther-children should have the opportunity of an education provided by the state

Secondary school with liberal arts and religion

Religious Practices and Popular Culture

Ended customary, dogmatic practices

No veneration of saints=fewer holy days

Some reformers tried to ban customary forms of entertainment

Drinking in taverns, dramatic performances, dancing

Dutch Calvinists-Christmas gift-giving

Not very successful

The Catholic Reformation

Revival of the Old Mid 16th century

Rather than instituting new doctrines, he sought to improve church discipline through existing doctrine

The Catholic Reformation was both a response to the gains of Protestantism and the response to critics within the church that abuses needed to be reformed

Mysticism-Saint Teresa of Avila

Monasticism-reformed and renewed

The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Ignatius of Loyola-Founder, The Spiritual Exercises-

training manual for spiritual development

1540-absolute obedience to the papacy

Activities of the Jesuits

Education (best schools in Europe)

Spread the Gospel to pagans

Fight Protestantism

Oh…and the Spanish and Italian inquisitions (1542)

A Revived Papacy (Pope Paul III) Continued many bad practices but recognized a need

for change

Appointed a reform commission to study condition of the church

Recognized the Jesuits and summoned the Council of Trent

Pope Paul IV (conservative)-increased the power of the inquisition, created the Index of Forbidden Books

The Council of Trent 3 major sessions (1545-1563) established Catholic dogma

for the next four centuries

Equal validity of Scripture, Church traditions, and writings of Church fathers

Salvation by both “good works” and faith

All 7 sacraments valid; transubstantiation reaffirmed

Monasticism, celibacy of clergy, and purgatory reaffirmed

Approved the Index of Forbidden Books

Church reforms: abuses in sale of indulgences curtailed, sale of church offices curtailed, bishops given greater control over clergy, seminaries established to train priests

As part of the Catholic Reformation

Baroque Art

Baroque Art Began in Catholic Reformation to teach in a concrete

and emotional way and demonstrate the glory and power of the Catholic Church

Spread to Protestant countries (N Germany, England)

Sought to overwhelm the viewer-grandure, emotion, movement, spaciousness and unity surrounding a certain theme

Architecture and Sculpture Reflected the image and power of absolute monarchs

and the Catholic Church

Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598-1650) personified baroque architecture and sculpture

Colonnade for piazza in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome was his greatest architectural achievement.

Canopy over the high altar of St. Peter’s Cathedral

Altarpiece sculpture, The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, evokes tremendous emotion

His statue of David shows movement and emotion

Constructed several fountains throughout Rome

Results of the Reformation The unity of Western Christianity was shattered.

Northern Europe (Scandinavia, England, much of Germany, parts of France, Switzerland, & Scotland) adopted Protestantism.

Religious enthusiasm was rekindled – similar enthusiasm not seen since far back into the Middle Ages.

Abuses in the RCC remedied: simony, pluralism, immoral or badly educated clergy were considerably remedied by the 17th century.

Religious wars broke out in Europe for well over a century.