CHAPTER 16.1

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

Prelude to Reformation

• Christian humanism: Study of

humanities with the goal being Church

(not societal) reform

• Desiderius Erasmus: best-known

Christian humanist; wanted a return to

simpler days of early Christianity

– Criticized abuses in the Catholic Church to

encourage reform

– “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther

hatched”

Erasmus • “[They] attribute strange virtues to the

shrines and images of saints and martyrs,

and so would make their credulous

proselytes believe, that if they pay their

devotion to St. Christopher in the

morning, they shall be guarded and

secured the day following from all dangers

and misfortunes: if soldiers, when they

first take arms, shall come and mumble

over such a set prayer before the picture

of St. Barbara, they shall return safe from

all engagements.”

Need for Reform

• Various peoples also criticized the

Church; saw Renaissance popes,

officials as greedy and too political

– People felt ignored by priests

• To secure salvation, many made

pilgrimages to view relics

– Viewing relics gained someone an

indulgence (document sold by the

Church that released someone from all

or part of the punishment for sin;

reduced time in purgatory after death)

Need for Reform

• Veneration of relics was

hugely popular

– Frederick III held >5,000 relics

– Church sold relics and

indulgences

Martin Luther and the Ninety-five Theses

• Martin Luther was a Catholic monk and teacher of the Bible

– Questioned the idea that faith and good works were needed to gain salvation

– Believed salvation was found through faith alone; Bible is the only source of religious truth

• Core of Protestant Reformation

• Luther frustrated by sale of indulgences and Church corruption

• October 31, 1517: Luther nailed his “Ninety-five Theses” to door of the Church in Wittenberg, Germany

– Ninety-five Theses: A written attack on the abuses and corruption of the Church and indulgences

A Break With the Church

• Luther became more “radical” over time

– Called for German princes to overthrow papacy

– Attacked Catholic sacraments (except baptism

and Eucharist)

– Called for clergy to marry

• Luther was excommunicated and then

summoned to appear before the Holy

Roman Emperor, Charles V

– Charles V tried changing Luther’s mind; Luther

refused

• Luther made an outlaw; protected by Frederick III of

Saxony

DiscussionWith your table partner, read this quotation:

“A single friar who goes counter to all Christianity for a thousand years must be wrong.” – Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

Now discuss:

1. Do you agree with this statement?

2. Dozens of other priests and important people had criticized the Church before, why was Martin Luther special? Why did his criticism lead to reform and not anyone before him?

The printing press allowed Luther’s ideas to spread across all Europe; among rich AND poor

Rise of Lutheranism

• Luther’s movement becomes revolution

– Many German rulers supported Luther and took control of Catholic churches in their territories; churches now supervised by gov’t

• Luther replaced mass with Bible readings

– Married a nun; model for married family life

• Luther’s doctrine known as Lutheranism

– First Protestant faith

Politics in the German

Reformation

• Luther faced challenges

– Peasants’ War: German peasants inspired by Luther’s reformation, seek end to serfdom and revolt against lords

• Luther sides with lords; relied on gov’t leaders to spread Lutheranism

• Lords crush revolt; 100,000 killed

– Charles V wanted to crush Lutheranism; preoccupied with multiple lengthy wars

• Many German lords sided with Luther, not Charles

• Peace of Augsburg: Charles V formally accepted division of Christianity in Germany