Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther

a German monk who became one of the most famous critics of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1517, he wrote 95 theses, or statements of belief attacking the church practices.

Christian Humanism

a movement that developed in northern Europe during the Renaissance combining classical learning with the goal of reforming the Catholic Church

Desiderius Erasmus

Dutch humanist and theologian who was the leading Renaissance scholar of northern Europe although his criticisms of the Church led to the Reformation.

salvation

acceptance into heaven

indulgence

a pardon releasing a person from punishments due for a sin

95 Theses

Martin Luther's ideas that he posted on the church door at Wittenburg which questioned the Roman Catholic Church. This act began the Reformation

Pope Leo X

The pope who used the sale of indulgences to rebuild St. Peter's Basilica and he was also the pope who excommunicated Martin Luther

Edict of Worms

Declared Martin Luther an outlaw within the Holy Roman Empire and his works were to be burned and Luther went into hiding.

Lutheranism

A Protestant denomination of Christian faith founded by Martin Luther

Charles V

This was the Holy Roman Emperor that called for the Diet of Worms. He was a supporter of Catholicism and tried to crush the Reformation by use of the Counter-Reformation

Peace of Augsburg

1555 agreement declaring that the religion of each German state would be decided by its ruler

Ulrich Zwingli

(1484-1531) Swiss reformer, influenced by Christian humanism. He looked to the state to supervise the church. Banned music and relics from services. Killed in a civil war.

Zurich, Switzerland

Home of Zwingli's reformation. Example of: The tight relationship between governments and all types of churches.

John Calvin

1509-1564. French theologian. Developed the Christian theology known as Calvinism. He preached predestination and a strict morality. (No dancing, no drinking, no playing cards)

Predestination

Calvinist belief that God long ago determined who would gain salvation

King Henry VIII of England

King of England from 1509 to 1547 and founder of the Church of England; he broke with the Catholic Church because the pope would not grant him a divorce.

Annulment

The declaration by the Church that a marriage is null and void, that is, it never existed as a sacramental union. Catholics who divorce must have the marriage annulled by the Church to be free to marry once again in the Church.

Act of Supremacy (1534)

A law enacted by the English Parliament, making the monarch the head of the Church of England.

Mary I (Bloody Mary)

1553-1558 AD. Catholic queen of England married to Philip II of Spain. Daughter of Catherine of Aragorn. Executed hundred of Protestants when they refused to convert.

Anabaptists

A Protestant sect that believed only adults could make a free choice regarding religion; they also advocated pacifism, separation of church and state, and democratic church organization.

Ignatius of Loyola

(1491-1556) Spanish churchman and founder of the Jesuits (1534); this order of Roman Catholic priests proved an effective force for reviving Catholicism during the Catholic Reformation.

Council of Trent

A meeting of Roman Catholic leaders, called by Pope Paul III to rule on doctrines criticized by the Protestant reformers. The final decrees of the Council of Trent reaffirmed traditional Catholic teachings in opposition to Protestant beliefs. Both faith and good works were declared necessary for salvation.