Evolution of the Church of England

how do protestants differ from catholics?

they reject papal authority and actions of catholicism like accepting money in return for ‘absolving peoples sins’

how can arminianism be summarised?

1. fundamental principle = rejection of predestination

2. affirms freedom of human will

3. similar to catholicism

how can puritans be defined?

group of reformed protestants who sought to “purify” the church of england from its ‘catholic’ practises

define anglicanism.

another term for the church of england - intended as a middle ground between protestantism and catholicism

define presbytarianism.

puritans who supported the hierarchical system of church government - believed in predestination and elected officials (elders)

what did calvinism emphasise?

preaching to be the most important part of a service and predestination

define transubstantiation.

the belief that at consecration, by a miracle, the bread and wine converts into the body and blood of christ and only the appearances of bread and wine remain

define memorialism.

belief that the bread and wine are only symbolic of the body and blood of christ

define predestination.

the doctrine that god has ordained all that will happen - especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others

what were lutherans opinions on free-will?

humans have free will, but cannot remove another humans sin (as opposed to catholic beliefs)

what is a ‘confessional state’?

a state where a single type of religious practise is enforced and is compulsory - failure to attend its services is treated as a crime

when charles I became king in 1625, was england a confessional state?

fundamentally, england was a confessional state, though charles allowed for some leniency, like practice of catholicism in private

what 3 things constituted the stability CofE?

• centralised church that maintained england as a confessional state

• protestants

• episcopacy (the government of a church by bishops)

how did Arminianism and Laudianism threaten the stability of the Church of England?

• popish threat

• criticism of charles who promotes laud

• divisions between those who agree vs disagree

what 2 things were laud’s overall aims in reforming religion in england?

• To change the appearance of the churches in England​

• To restore the beauty of music (do u mean worship? not music? lol u r so f*cking dumb slag) – feeling churches were not as respected as they should be  ​

give 3 of lauds key policies when he was reforming religion (may coincide with his overall aims).

1. kneeling communion/sign of cross in name of jesus → supports transubstantiation as it suggests jesus is in the room

2. decoration, stained glass windows, statues, and colour returned to churches

3. allowed to engage in sports and leisure after sunday morning service

How does Arminianism chime with the political beliefs of Charles, and the role of established authority in general?​

• Promotion of rituals and ceremony ​

• Charles’ love of art and order – e.g. Charles collector of Van Dyke ​

• Arminians to support royal authority ​

• Dislike of Puritans ​

what are the 2 key reasons for the rise in arminianism?

1. promotion of it by charles

2. removal of opposition

did the church evolve effectively in the face of opposition?

no, because:

• laudianism reinforced fear of catholic plots

• this incited mass opposition to a church with the king as head

• religious dissidents who sought to worship outside of the Church in the 1640-1660s

what did independants believe?

held the belief that religious and church matters should be decided by the congregation and not with any wider geographical consideration

what changes were made to the church between 1640-43 (the long parliament)?

• root and branch (1640)

• bishop exclusion act

what changes were made to the church between 1644-49 (the civil war)?

army posed threat to presbytarian and anglican ideas

what changes were made to the church between 1649-53 (the rump parliament)?

• blasphemy act (1650) → punishes radicals

• adultery act → death penalty for adulterers

• toleration act → no need to attend sunday service

what changes were made to the church between 1653-58 (the protectorate)?

• church placed under control of triers and ejectors (ensured all clergy were orthodox and godly)

• widespread religious toleration