Protestant Reformation: Key Events, Figures, and Impact on Christianity

What years did the Protestant Reformation span?

1517-1648

What was the Holy Roman Empire like in 1500?

A patchwork of independent states, each with its own prince.

Who was the Holy Roman Emperor during the Reformation?

Charles V, who was Catholic.

What was the most powerful institution in Europe in 1500?

The Catholic Church, which held a monopoly on information, education, and property.

What was a significant issue with the Catholic Church in 1500?

The Church and clergy did not pay taxes and were seen as corrupt.

What was an indulgence?

A Papal pardon for sins, reducing the time a soul would spend in purgatory.

Who was Martin Luther?

A German monk born in 1483 who initiated the Reformation to reform the Catholic Church.

What were Martin Luther's main issues with the Catholic Church?

Indulgences, the authority of the Bible over the Pope, and justification through faith alone.

What significant action did Martin Luther take on October 31, 1517?

He posted his 95 Theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg.

How did Martin Luther's ideas spread quickly?

Through Gutenberg's Printing Press, which allowed for the rapid distribution of his writings.

What was the reaction to Luther's 95 Theses?

He gained support from people, including princes, but faced criticism from the Church.

What was the outcome of Luther's confrontation with Pope Leo X?

Luther was excommunicated after refusing to recant his statements.

What happened at the Diet of Worms in April 1521?

Luther was summoned to recant but refused, leading to his declaration as an outlaw.

What was the Peace of Augsburg?

A 1555 agreement recognizing Lutheranism as a legal religion and allowing princes to choose their realm's religion.

Who was John Calvin and what was his contribution to the Reformation?

A reformer who established the Calvinist tradition, emphasizing predestination and a literal interpretation of the Bible.

What was the Act of Supremacy of 1534?

It established the Church of England, declaring Henry VIII as its supreme head.

Who was Elizabeth I and what was her role in the Reformation?

Daughter of Henry VIII who returned England to Protestantism and found a middle ground between Catholics and Protestants.

What was the Council of Trent?

A meeting from 1545 to 1563 aimed at addressing Protestantism and reforming the Catholic Church.

Who were the Jesuits?

A religious order formed by Ignatius of Loyola to defend and spread the Catholic faith.

What was the impact of the Protestant Reformation on Christianity?

It led to the establishment of various non-Catholic traditions, including Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism.

What was the significance of Luther's translation of the Bible into German?

It made the scriptures accessible to the common people, promoting literacy and personal interpretation of the Bible.

What was the main theological dispute that initiated the Protestant Reformation?

The conflict between Martin Luther and the Catholic Church over issues like indulgences and the authority of the Pope.