The Reformation

Secularism from the Renaissance created tension between princely kingdoms and the authority of the Church.

-Church started to question its worldly rather than spiritual interest in acquiring power and wealth.

-Internal struggle led to a rift in the church, rise of protestant faiths, and more than a century of religious warfare.

• The Protestant Reformation and the development of western civilizations

  • Reasons for the reformation

    • Dissatisfaction with church ritual and Latin overtones

    • Humanism emphasized mans needs and concerns

    • Printing press allowed for mass communication

  • Martin Luther (1483-1546) questioning the rights of the pope to grant indulgences was a primary cause

    • Ninety-five Theses → catalyst in starting the Reformation

    • Lutheranism allowed for a state church system controlled by individual German princes

  • Calvinism became a revolutionary anti-Catholic movement

  • The Act of Supremacy (1534) marked the beginning of the English Reformation

    • King of England became the head of the church

    • Popes refusal to annul the marriage of King Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon initiated the break

    • Elizabeth I (1558-1603) established protestantism in england, also established the Anglican church

• The Counter Reformation (Catholic Reformation) attempted to halt the spread of Protestantism

  • Jesuits (society of Jesus) became the official Catholic response to the reformation

    • initiated missionary and educational endeavors

  • The Council of Trent (1545-1563) defined the doctrines of Catholicism and reinforced papal authority

• Effects of the Reformation

  • Medieval political unity of Europe was replaced by the spirit of modern nationalism

  • Authority of the state was strengthened

  • Middle class was strengthened

  • Calvinism gave capitalism its psychological base

  • Religious wars reflected the fervor of the times

Reformation in Different Areas

Northern Germany—Martin Luther

-Salvation through faith rather than sacraments.

-Rejection of hierarchical priesthood and papal authority

-Luthers excommunication initiated the Reformation. Lutheranism developed its own following

-Decentralization religious authority in favor of local German princes

Geneva (Switzerland)—John Calvin

-Doctrine of predestination

-Rejection of all forms of worship and practice not traced to biblical tradition

-Bases of reformed churches, which spread throughout Europe

England—King Henry VIII

-Political rather than religious break with the church

-act of supremacy removed authority of the pope

-created the Anglican church of England