Christianity and the Scientific Revolution

Peace of Augsburg (1555)

Treaty signed between the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the Schmalkaldic League; stated princes could adopt either Lutheranism or Catholicism for their lands

Huguenots

French protestants

High Church

English church characterized by a hierarchical structure, formal liturgy, and catherdral art

Puritans

English Protestants who sought to simplify worship along Calvinist lines

Congregationalists

follows the idea of the “priesthood of all believers,” gives authority to congregations

Presbyterians

follows the rule by lay elders (presbyters)

Anglicans

follows the practices of the Church of England, follows the rule of bishops

Scientific Revolution

period of transformation in science and natural philosophy from the 16th to 18th centuries

Heliocentric Model

Theory proposed by Copernicus that the Sun is the center of the solar system, with the Earth and other planets orbiting around it 

Inquisition

ecclesiastic court that decided heresy

Witch Trials

Accusations that individuals (overwhelmingly women) made pacts with the Devil

Mechanism

belief that nature consists of machines that operate according to physical laws

Cartesian Dualism

mind and body are fundamentally distinct

Materialism

belief that all beings and processes can be explained as manifestation of matter

Natural Theology

efforts to understand God not from scripture but also reason and observation of nature

Theodicy

“Vindication of God;” attempt to resolve the problem of evil in a world created by an omnipotent God

Biblical Chronology

efforts to date Biblical events like the creation and flood