Ch. 1.3 Notes
“Instead of saving the souls of the
dead and sending them to heaven, they gorge themselves at banquets after funerals.”
The Protestant Reformation First Took Place in Germany
During the Renaissance, the Christian church came under fire for corruption In the late middle ages, the church became increasingly involved in worldly affair
The Pope competed for political power with Italian Princes
Also maintained a lavish lifestyle Were also patrons of the arts
Paid people to beautify the churches To pay for projects, they increased fees for weddings and baptisms, and sold indulgences Lessening of the time a soul would spend in purgatory
Fought wars to protect the papal states
Many Christians rejected the worldliness of the church, and urged a return to the simple ways of the early Christian church
Luther’s Protest
In 1517 protests turned into full scale revolt These were triggered by Martin Luther, who hated church corruption and worldliness
The Incident
A priest stood on a pulpit in Wittenberg and offered indulgences to anyone who would donate money for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s cathedral in Rome. This would ensure entry into heaven for you and your dead relatives. “Can’t you hear the voices of your dead parents and other relatives crying out?”
This
prompted Luther to write the 95 theses
This
was a list of why indulgences were wrong.
No basis in Bible for indulgences Pope had no authority to release souls from purgatory Christians could be saved only through faith
He
posted these on the door of the Wittenberg church
The
Theses were circulated quickly around Europe The Church wanted Luther to recant, but he would not
Luther
urged Christians to reject authority of Rome
Church
excommunicated Luther
After a meeting with Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor…
Luther
was declared an outlaw
Anyone
who helped Luther would be punished
Many
still hailed Luther as a hero
his beliefs Renounced the authority of the Pope.
Supported
Luther’s Teachings
Rejected that good deeds were necessary for salvation (salvation through faith) Upheld the Bible as the sole source of religious truth Rejected idea that Popes or Priests had more power to communicate with God than the common man Banned 5/7 sacraments of the Catholic Church
Banned indulgences Confession Pilgrimages Prayers to saints Simplified mass and emphasized sermons
Permitted clergy to marry Supporters were called Lutherans, but by 1530 began to be called Protestants because they protested papal authority
Why did They Support?
Because
the clergy saw Lutheranism as an answer to corruption Princes saw it as an opportunity to reduce the power of the Emperor and the Pope Germans were tired of sending money to Italy to support the Church
Peasants revolted in hopes Luther would support their cause Luther favored social order, and denounced their revolt Tens of thousands were killed. Luther likened them to mad dogs (quote, pg. 46
Peace of Augsburg Treaty
Charles
V agreed to let each prince decide which religion would be practiced in his land Most in North were Lutheran, The South was Catholic
John Calvin
Wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion
Told of his religious beliefs
Bible Salvation through faith Predestination
Reformers from all over visited Geneva and then returned home to spread Calvinism
Set off religious wars all over Europe between Calvinists, Lutherans, and Catholics.
Was asked to lead the city of Geneva in Switzerland
City saw themselves as the chosen people