Theology Test: Church in the Renaissance

How did the Papal States influence art and culture during the Italian Renaissance?

They ensured that religious themes dominated Renaissance art, merging faith with humanistic ideals. Popes like Julius II and Leo X funded major artistic projects

Evaluate the role of popes as both spiritual leaders and political rulers within the context of the Papal States during the Renaissance

Popes wielded great power over Italian politics. This dual role strengthened their influence over other Italian city-states and shaped political dynamics across Italy during a time when power was often contested among local rulers

What were the influential city-state families?

Medici and Borgia

What were the centers of politics and culture?

Florence (Banking), Milan (Metal and Armor), Venice (imported Asian goods), Naples (51 guilds), and Papal States (Tourism)

What is nepotism?

Granting church jobs or privileges to relatives, regardless of their merit or qualifications

What is simony?

The buying or selling of church positions and spiritual benefits in exchange for money

How did nepotism and simony impact the church?

Both were viewed as unjust and sparked widespread criticism and demands for church reform

Who was Martin Luther?

Monk who unknowingly started the Protestant Reformation

What did Martin Luther challenge?

He challenged the Catholic Church's corrupt acts, especially selling forgiveness, demanding honesty and fairness

How did Luther's actions inspire reformation?

His actions motivated people across Europe to reconsider religious practices and seek positive change within the church

What were the 95 Theses?

October 1517- Luther posted these to protest the sale of indulgences

How did Julius II use his leadership?

He used it to increase political influence of the papacy during the Renaissance

Did Julius II's leadership transform the Catholic Church?

Yes!

Who was the most infamous seller of indulgences?

A Dominican friar named John Tetzel

What is an indulgence?

They were originally intended to offer the Christians a faithful way to do something good as penance for sins-this later turned into a moneymaking business

What were the four factors that contributed to Europe as a tinderbox?

1. Decline in population

2. Emergence of middle class

3. Exploration

4. Rise of nationalism

What did the Ecumenical Council do?

Sought to affirm church teaching, answer Protestant heresies, and end abusive practices within the church

What was the council's task?

Make distinctions between what was heretical and what was orthodox

What are the 5 things that the council says?

1. The mass is a true sacrifice

2. Christ is truly present in the Eucharist in accordance with the definition of transubstantiation

3. Sacred Tradition also has authority in the Church-not just scripture

4. Grace is a gift from God and we are justified by His grace, but we must cooperate with God's grace

5. We receive God's grace in and through the sacraments of the Church, which are necessary for salvation. They confer the grace they signify and are not dependent on our faith in them to do so

What was the problem the council had to fix?

Protestants rejected transubstantiation. They said Jesus's words "This is my body" were symbolic or spiritual, not literal

What were the stakes of the council?

If the Church was wrong about the Eucharist what else was it wrong about

What was the response of the council?

The council formally defined a Catholic doctrine to clarify what the Church actually taught

What was the best defense of the Catholic faith?

Better educated priest and laity

What did the Church learn from the Protestants?

To reach the people, the people's language must be spoken

What did a bishop need to be?

A man of good morals and reputation so that all rumors of scandals could be put to rest

What did the printing press help with?

It helped Luther spread his 95 Theses everywhere

What year was Luther excommunicated and why?

1521 and because Luther refused to recant his proposals

What are the three Sola's and what do they mean?

1. Sola Fide: Faith Alone

2. Sola Gratia: Grace Alone

3. Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone

Compare and contrast Sola Fide and how it differs from the Church's view

The Church taught that you need faith and works to earn salvation, but Luther argued that faith is enough and that your relationship with God doesn't depend on what you do

Compare and contrast Sola Gratia and how it differs from the Church's view

The Church taught that only specific Churchmen can sell indulgences, but Luther argued that God's grace is free and that you can't buy it

Compare and contrast Sola Scriptura and how it differs from the Church's view

The Church taught that both Scripture and Church Tradition held equal authority and that the Pope was the final interpreter of Scripture, but Luther argued to go directly to the Bible and that anyone can read and interpret Scripture for themselves

What were Luther's 4 Theological Issues?

1. Took issue with transubstantiation and believed in consubstantiation

2. Took issue with viewing mass as the sacrifice of Christ

3. Did not believe in 7 Sacraments, but believed in only 2: Eucharist and Baptism

4. Did not believe in priestly celibacy

What year did Protestantism occur?

1530

What did John Calvin do?

He took Luther's ideas even further and created Calvinism. He denied Christ's presence in the Eucharistic elements and advocated for very simple worship. He wrote the Institutes of Christian Religion

Was Calvin an extreme fundamentalist or had the same beliefs as Luther?

Extreme fundamentalist

What year to Calvin flee from France and arrive in Switzerland?

1536

What is theocracy?

A form of government in which God is understood to be the head of state, ruling by divine guidance granted to its clergy

How long was King Henry VIII's reign?

1509-1547

In 1521 what name did Pope Leo X give to King Henry?

Defender of the Faith for his defense of the faith against Luther

How did St. Thomas More die and who killed him and who was he?

He was executed by King Henry and was his most trusted advisor

What year was the Act of Supremacy passed and what did it do?

1534- declared the English monarch the head of the Church in England

What was the Counter Reformation?

The response of the Roman Catholic church to the Protestant Reformation from 1522-1648

What were the 3 main stages of the Counter Reformation?

1. Council of Trent

2. Renewal of religious orders

3. Cooperation with civil authorities

What did St. Charles Borromeo do?

Supervised the Roman Catholic Catechism. Organized the third session of the Council of Trent

Who was St. Ignatius of Loyola and what did he do?

In 1521 he was wounded as a soldier which left him bedridden for a year. In 1522 after he recovered he still wanted to be a knight but only in the service of Christ. He studied at a university and met friends to help create the Society of Jesus

Who was St. Teresa of Avila and what did she do?

She was a Carmelite nun who reformed the Carmelite order

Who was St. Francis Xavier and what did he do?

He was a friend of St. Ignatius' and helped create the Society of Jesus

What did Pope St. Pius V do?

He despised nepotism and reformed Rome, as well as sitting at the Council of Trent and defending the faith

Who was St. Charles Borromeo and what did he do?

He was a Cardinal Archbishop who led the Council of Trent and formed the Humiliati

Who was St. Robert Bellarmine?

He was a Jesuit cardinal and is renowned for defending the Catholic doctrine against Protestantism