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An Introduction to the (Protestant) ReformationLIFE FELLOWSHIP
OCTOBER 30, 2015
Overview of the ReformationHistorical background, contributing factors
Pre-Reformation reformers: e.g. Wycliffe, HusEvents & Reformers
“Magisterial” Reformers – e.g. Luther“Radical” ReformersThe English Reformation
Theological issues
The Protestant Reformation
Schism from Roman Catholicism in the 1500s Resulted in emergence of Protestant Christianity
in Europe
A process, not a single event Occurred over several decades
Multiple different leaders in multiple geographic locations
Admixture of religious, social, & political factors
Historical Background
The Roman Catholic Church in the late Middle Ages (1200s-1500s) Dominant form of Christianity in western Europe
East-West schism in 1054 Eastern Orthodox Church
Led by the Pope, with church hierarchy Closely interwoven relationships with secular political
powers (kings, emperors, etc.)
Secular powers often meddled in church affairs
Popes exerted power over rulers via excommunication
Historical Background
The Roman Catholic Church in the late Middle Ages (1200s-1500s) Papal power peaked in early 1200s, then
declined due to increasing corruption and schisms
Enforcement of celibacy among clergy immorality
Growing wealth of the papacy via various methods
Growing resentment against the clergy
Power struggles within the church and with secular rulers
Historical Background
Papal wealth & corruption Multiple methods for extracting money
“Annates” – gift by bishop or priest of 1st year income when appointed to a new office
“Collations” – shifting bishops around to get more annates
“Dispensations” – pardons for violations of church law through payment of money
“Indulgences” – reducing the punishment due for sins by payment of money
“Simony” – sale of a church office
Historical Background
Papal wealth & corruption “Babylonian captivity of the church” (1317-
1377) Papal headquarters moved from Rome to
Avignon (France), under control of French kings
Papal schism (1378-1417) Attempts to move papal HQ back to Rome
resulted in establishment of 2 (or 3) rival popes
Undermined confidence in the Roman Catholic church & its leadership
Historical Background
Impact of the Renaissance Renaissance - “rebirth” Crusades introduced many to a new world
Renewed interest in ancient Greek & Roman culture
Growth of humanism Movement aimed at developing the full
potential of the individual education
Interest in studying ancient texts, including Hebrew & Greek texts of the Bible
Historical Background
Impact of the Renaissance Development of the printing press (in
the west) Johannes Gutenberg (~1440s)
Enabled rapid printing & dissemination of Bibles and literature
Early Reform Movements
Various reform movements emerged (1200s-1400s) Multiple movements scattered across Europe
Mostly poorly documented
Existence known largely through RC documents condemning them for heresy
e.g. Waldensians Started by Peter Waldo in France in late 1100s
Many similar beliefs to Reformers
Sole authority of the Bible
Denial of Purgatory, trans-substantiation
Condemned as heretical by the RC church in 1184
Early Reform Movements
John Wycliffe (1320-1384) & the Lollards Had many conflicts with the church
Attacked the church over 6 years (popes, friars, monks, cardinals, and clergies) in writings
In 1381, established doctrine of the Lord’s supper
Passed away in 1384
Early Reform Movements
John Wycliffe (1320-1384) & the Lollards May 4th, 1415, Wycliffe was called a heretic
Body and books were burned years later
Followers did not leave many pictures or writings of him after
Early Reform Movements
John Wycliffe (1320-1384) & the Lollards Holding to scripture being the only authority
Understood the importance of the bible
Paved the road for a reformation
Translating the bible into English for ordinary people to read
Early Reform Movements
John Hus (aka Jan Hus) (~1368-1415) Leader of reform movement in Bohemia Strongly influenced by Wycliffe Preached against papal abuses (e.g. indulgences,
simony) Condemned by the Council of Constance
Burned at the stake in 1415
Death resulted in the Hussite wars (1420-30s)
The Protestant Reformation The Reformation was a diverse movement
Many different leaders in different locations
Diverse theological views
Different views regarding the relationship between Church & State
The Reformers
“Magisterial” reformers Used (secular) governmental authority to reform
doctrine & practices of the church
Examples include Martin Luther
Ullrich Zwingli
John Calvin
John Knox
The Reformers
“Radical” reformers Diverse group with a spectrum of theological views
including some considered heretical by both Roman Catholics and Protestants
Persecuted by both Catholics & Protestants
Sometimes referred to “Anabaptists” (“re-baptizers”) Many rejected infant baptism
The Reformers
“Radical” reformers Rejected the secular governmental authority over the
doctrine & practices of the church
Examples include Menno Simons Mennonites
Jacob Hutter Hutterites
Felix Manz & Conrad Grebel Swiss Brethren Swiss Mennonites
The Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther was born in 1483
His prayer answered cause him to change
Driven by fear of God’s wrath and hell
Luther discovered through studying scripture
The Protestant Reformation October 31, 1517
Martin Luther nails the 95 theses to Wittenberg church door
Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
Disputing
The appropriateness of the sale of indulgences
The effectiveness of indulgences for their supposed purpose (decreasing time in Purgatory)
The Protestant Reformation
Further attacked papacy
Met with the Diet of Worms
Edict of worms
Began a new church, Lutheranism
The Protestant Reformation
Luther was known for: Desiring for people to be closer to God
Translating the bible for ordinary people to interpret
Drastically changed relationship of church leaders and followers
Making a breakthrough in the protestant reformation
Reformation - Germany
1517: 95 theses
1520: Luther excommunicated
1521: Luther’s defense at the Diet of Worms
1546: Luther dies
1546: Schmalkaldic war begins
Pope Paul III declares Crusade against Protestant princes
1555: Peace of Augsburg concedes right of Lutheranism to exist
Reformation - Switzerland Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531)
1519: appointed as cathedral preacher in Zurich
1523: Public debate against RC authorities
67 articles of faith include authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith; rejection of RC view of sacraments, purgatory, etc.
Zwingli’s reforms impact other Swiss & southern German cities
Reformation - Switzerland Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531)
1529: meets with Luther to discuss co-operation Shut down by Luther over issue of the nature of
Communion
1531: dies in battle against Swiss Catholic armies
Reformation - Switzerland John Calvin (1509-1564) 1536: Publishes 1st edition of the Institutes of
the Christian Religion (at age 27!)
1536: arrives in Geneva to help Farel with reforms
Expelled from Geneva in 1538
1541: returns to Geneva & implements reforms
not just in church life, but in governance of the city
1553: Prosecutes Michael Servetus for heresy
1564: Dies in Geneva
Reformation - Switzerland Following Calvin’s death, Calvinism spreads
through various parts of Europe France – Huguenots
Netherlands – Dutch Reformed Church
Scotland – Presbyterianism
The Counter-Reformation
Response of the Roman Catholic church to counteract the Protestant Reformation ~1540-1648
Implemented reforms within the RC church
The Counter-Reformation
The Council of Trent (1545-1564) Recommended various reforms of the RC clergy
Condemned Protestant doctrines & clarified Catholic doctrines on disputed points
particularly re: justification by faith alone
The Counter-Reformation The Council of Trent (1545-
1564) Defended & defined the 7
sacraments
Affirmed that the Bible and Church tradition to be equally authoritative
Affirmed the (RC) Church to be the interpreter of Scripture
Included the Apocrypha in the canon of Scripture
The Counter-Reformation Various religious wars (Catholics vs. Protestants) for
almost 100 years
Peace of Westphalia (1648) Ends Thirty Years War
Recognizes civil & religious rights of Lutherans, Calvinists, and Roman Catholics
Theological Issues
The 5 “solas” Summary of the main theological issues underlying
the Reformation
Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone Sola Fide – Faith alone Sola Gratia – Grace alone Solus Christus – Christ alone Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God alone
Theological Issues Sola scriptura
“Scripture alone” is the supreme authority on all matters on which it speaks
All matters pertaining to salvation & godliness
Scripture interprets itself
The “formal principle” of the Reformation The source from which Reformation theology derives
Implications The authority of Scripture supersedes that of Church
tradition, the Pope, etc.
Theological Issues
Sola scriptura “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason -
I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me.”
Martin Luther, at the Diet of Worms, 1521
Theological Issues
Sola fide “faith alone”
Justification is received through faith alone
Good works are not required for, nor a means of, salvation
The “material principle” of the Reformation The central doctrine of Reformation theology
“The doctrine by which the church stands or falls”
Theological Issues Sola fide
ImplicationsContrary to RC doctrine of justification, which is
based on faith & worksRC doctrine requires faith, but not faith alone
Denies the necessity of the Sacraments (including baptism & Communion) for salvation
RC doctrine: “If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation… and that, without them… men obtain of God, through faith alone, the grace of justification… let him be anathema.” - Council of Trent
Theological Issues
Sola gratia “grace alone”
Justification is received by God’s grace alone
Our good works merit nothing towards salvation
Implications Participation in sacraments, pilgrimages, etc. are not
meritorious towards salvation
We cannot purchase or earn salvation
Theological Issues Solus Christus
“Christ alone” Salvation is in Christ alone
Christ alone is the mediator between God and Man
Implications We trust in Christ alone for salvation, not “Christ +
…”
Denies the effectiveness of penance, indulgences, for securing forgiveness
No need for another mediator (priests, saints, Mary) between us and God
Theological Issues
Soli Deo Gloria “Glory to God alone”
God alone deserves the glory in all things (including our salvation)
Implications Calls into question veneration of the saints, Mary,
popes, etc.
Our lives to be lived to the glory of God
Reformation – Summary
Schism from Roman Catholicism in the 1500s resulting in emergence of Protestantism A process, not a single event
Preceded by various different reform movements e.g. Wycliffe, Hus
Multiple different leaders in multiple locations e.g. Luther – Germany
Zwingli, Calvin - Switzerland
Admixture of religious, social, & political contributing factors
God’s sovereignty over all things
Reformation - Summary
Key theological issues summarized in the “5 solas”
Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone
Sola Fide – Faith alone
Sola Gratia – Grace alone
Solus Christus – Christ alone
Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God alone
The Protestant Reformation
Relevance for today?