The Protestant Reformation: John Calvin and Henry VIII

John Calvin

• French Protestant theologian of the Reformation.
• Founded Calvinism.
• Calvinism associated with the doctrine of predestination.

Predestination

• Doctrine that God has decided all things beforehand.
• Includes which people will be eternally saved.

Calvinism

• A body of religious teachings based on the ideas of John Calvin.

Henry VIII

• King of England from 1509 to 1547.
• Desire to annul his marriage led to conflict with the Pope.
• Conflict led to England’s break with the Roman Catholic Church.
• Embraced Protestantism.
• Established the Church of England in 1532.

Act of Supremacy

• A law passed by the English Parliament.
• Recognized Henry VIII’s divorce.
• Recognized his position as the head of the Church of England.

Venn Diagram Comparison: John Calvin and Henry VIII

John Calvin

• Background:
  • French theologian
  • Institutes of Christian Religion
• Problem with the Catholic Church:
  • Forced to leave Paris - went against Ideas of the church - stained glass, clothing
  • Didn’t like pope’s authority alter, statues, saint days, festivals.

Both

• Protestantism
• Didn’t like pope’s authority

Henry VIII

• Background:
  • Born 1491, Greenwich London
  • King at 17
  • Wanted a son
• Problem with the Catholic Church:
  • Can’t divorce wife/annul marriage
• New Ideas and Reforms
  • Creates his own church: Church of England