2. Reformation and Counter-Reformation

TOWARD A MODERN EUROPE

OVERVIEW

  • The Renaissance initiated significant changes in Europe.

  • It spread from Italy to northern Europe, adopting a more religious focus.

  • This shift contributed to the Reformation, which prompted large-scale reforms within the Catholic Church.

  • The Reformation challenged the church's power, prominent in the early modern period.

THE FEUDAL SOCIETY IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE

  • Social Hierarchy: Feudal society structured with kings, nobles, tenants, and peasants.

    • Kings: Top of the hierarchy; ruled over the land.

    • Nobles: Included lords, barons, and bishops.

    • Tenant Vassals: Knights and abbots who serve lords.

    • Freemen: Independent peasants with more freedom.

    • Serfs: Tied to the land and worked for nobles.

    • Towns: Included merchants and craftsmen who also played a role in society.

THE REFORMATION (PROTESTANT REFORMATION)

  • Historical Context: A 16th-century movement in Europe that opposed the Catholic Church.

  • Key Figures: Martin Luther, a German priest and theologian, was central to the movement.

WHAT CAUSED THE REFORMATION?

  • Examination of the Catholic Church in the 14th and 15th centuries reveals extensive control over Europe but also notable issues.

FIRST ISSUE: THE WESTERN/PAPAL SCHISM

  • Timeline of Events:

    • 1309: Pope Clement V relocates papacy to Avignon, France.

    • 1377: Pope Gregory XI returns the papacy to Rome.

    • 1378: Election of Urban VI by Italian Cardinals, opposed by French Cardinals who elect Clement VII.

    • 1409: Council of Pisa attempts to resolve chaos, resulting in three competing popes.

    • 1414-1418: Council of Constance ultimately resolves the schism.

  • Impact: The schism fragmented church authority and diminished faith in the institution.

SECOND ISSUE: GREEDY CHURCH

  • Many clergy took advantage of their positions for personal gain.

  • Simony: The practice of selling church offices or roles for profit.

THE SELLING OF INDULGENCES

  • Originally meant to offer Crusaders relief from sins.

  • Became a means for the Church to fund lavish projects like St. Peter's Basilica.

THE CHURCH GOT DRY

  • The church's spiritual emphasis shifted to formality, prioritizing rituals over sincerity and genuine faith.

SOME HELP?

  • John Wycliffe: An English theologian who promoted a direct relationship with God, bypassing corrupt clergy.

  • His student, John Hus, spread these ideas in Bohemia.

NINETY-FIVE THESES

  • Date: October 31, 1517

  • Johann Tetzel: A Dominican Friar selling indulgences in Wittenburg.

  • Luther's theses challenged the church's intermediary role between God and believers.

HOW DID WORD SPREAD?

  • The Printing Press: Invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440, drastically changed the dissemination of information in Europe.

    • Before Gutenberg: Thousands of books.

    • By 1500: Over 9,000,000 copies circulated.

THE FIVE SOLAS

  • Core Teachings of Martin Luther:

    • Sola scriptura: Scripture Alone.

    • Solus Christus: Christ Alone.

    • Sola gratia: Grace Alone.

    • Sola fide: Faith Alone.

    • Soli Deo gloria: Glory to God Alone.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE REFORMATION

  • 1519: Luther questioned; he denies wrongdoing.

  • 1520: Excommunicated from the Catholic Church; Papal Bull "Exsurge Domine" issued.

  • 1521: Luther defies the Holy Roman Emperor at the Diet of Worms.

  • He is hidden by the Duke of Saxony, during which he translates the Bible into German.

OTHER CRACKS IN THE CHURCH DAM

  • Ulrich Zwingli: Led a reformation movement in Switzerland.

  • John Calvin (1509): Developed the idea of Predestination and influenced Protestant thought widely.

  • Calvin's teachings spread and influenced nations, including Scotland (Presbyterianism) and England (Puritanism).

PROTESTANT REFORMATION IN ENGLAND

  • King Henry VIII requested an annulment from Pope Clement VII and, upon denial, established the Church of England.

  • The church gradually adopted more Protestant principles.

COUNTER-REFORMATION

  • The Catholic Church recognized issues needing redress such as indulgences and corruption.

  • Aims: Halt Protestantism's spread and reclaim lost authority.

COUNCIL OF TRENT

  • Convened from 1545 to 1563 with major outcomes:

    • Ended simony and the selling of indulgences.

    • Prohibited clerical marriages.

    • Established the Index of Prohibited Books.

    • Promoted the Jesuit Order to spread Catholic teachings.

    • Established the Roman Inquisition to combat heresy.

BAROQUE ART

  • Emphasized grandeur as a means to reaffirm the Catholic Church's intermediary role on earth through art and architecture.