Protestant Reformation Notes

Context of the Reformation

• The Reformation occurred between 1450 and 1648.
• It began due to problems within the late medieval Catholic Church.
• Corrupt practices included:
  • Simony: Purchasing a church office.
  • Absenteeism: Holding a church office without being present.
• Critics like Erasmus (in "The Praise of Folly") highlighted corruption and wealth of bishops.
• Controversial sale of indulgences (papal pardons for sins) to raise money for the papacy.

Martin Luther's Protest

• In 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, challenged church practices.
• He questioned the Pope's authority to forgive sins, arguing it should be between the believer and God.
• Luther's key doctrines:
  • Sola Scriptura: Only scripture.
  • Salvation through faith and grace, not works.
  • Priesthood of all believers: Individuals can connect with God directly.
• Luther's moderate reform program attracted political support from nobles like Frederick of Saxony in the Holy Roman Empire.

Other Reformers

• John Calvin:

  • More extreme reformer.
  • Wrote "Institutes of the Christian Religion," a systematic theology.
  • Calvinists rejected images and statues.
  • Followers included:
    • Huguenots in France.
    • Puritans and Separatists in England.
    • Presbyterians in Scotland.
    • Dominant in The Netherlands.

• Henry VIII:

  • Less extreme reformer.
  • Reformation was primarily a political secession from the Catholic Church.
  • Sought a divorce, which the Pope denied.
  • Parliament declared Henry the supreme head of the Church.
  • The Anglican Church (Church of England) retained many Catholic doctrines and practices.
  • The Elizabethan settlement further moderated the Church of England.
  • Not fundamentally different like John Calvin's or Martin Luther's churches.