Martin Luther

• German Monk (1483-1546)

• Ordained in 1507, became a doctor of theology in 1512

• Deeply concerned about the corruption in the Catholic Church

• Does not approve indulgences

• Publishes 95 Theses on October 31, 1517

• Pope Leo X excommunicated him in 1521

• Summoned to Diet of Worms, refuses to recant

• Deemed outlaw and heretic

• goes into hiding at Wartburg Castle with help of noble protector

• Marries former nun Katharina von Bora in 1525, 6 children

• Publishes complete translation Bible into German in 1534

• Writes angrily against Jews, Catholics, and Anabaptists (adult Baptism) in final years of his life

• Dies in February 1546

John Calvin

• Born in France

• Law student at the University of Orleans, then involved in the Reformation

• Publishes Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536

• Emphasized the sovereignty of the scriptures and divine predestination (God has foreordained who is saved and who isn’t)

• Becomes an important political leader in Geneva, Switzerland

• Establishes religious government based on Protestant principles

• Executres 58 people for impiety and dissent (Michean Servetus, Spanish theologian who is burned at stake for heresy)

• Calin’s beliefs spread to Scotland (Presbyterian movement) England (Puritans), and the Netherlands (Reformed)

• Strict version of Protestantism informs much of New England’s colonies

• Dies in May 1564

5 Solas of Reformation

• Sola Gratia - by grace alone (salvation is by the grace of God and cannot be earned through merit)

• Sola Fide - By faith alone (Redemption can only be achieved by faith

• Sola Scriptura - By Scripture Alone (scripture is the only inerrant and final authority)

• Solus Christus - By Christ alone (only the sacrifice of Christ on the cross can justify the ungodly)

• Soli Deo Gloria - Glory only to God (glory for salvation should be given to God only, not humans)

• Directed at Catholic teachings

The Puritans

• Come out of the English Reformation under Henry VIII

• Puritans believed that the Chruch of England still had too much Catholic liturgy and ritual

• Puritans are delighted by Edward Vi and the stripping of the altars

• Some of them are martyred under the reign of Mary I (some go into exile)

• Puritan beliefs became popular among professional classes like lawyers and merchants

• Puritans are accused as hypocrites and overly rigid about religion

• By the early 17th century, some Puritans pulled away from local churches and established their congregations with their win preachers who espoused reform theology

• Some of these worshipers fear for their safety and leave for the Netherlands, then move to Plymouth (Pilgrims)

• Puritans hope that James I will be open to their concerns—he Is not. Refuses to change the government, The Book of Common Prayer

• Does not agree to the new translation

Massachusetts Bay Colony

• MBC gets a charter from Charles I; can trade and colonize in New England; joint stock company

• Puritans are successful

• arrived in family groups

• found towns of independent landholders

• New England's climate and soil do not lend themselves to large-scale agriculture

• Most Puritans are modestly prosperous

• Climate does not lend itself to widescale spread of disease

• Smallpox does wipe out 90% of te regions Native American population

• New England’s population grows from original immigrant (21,000 in the early years) to 91,000 by 1700

• Puritan government is very structured

• Town governments handle day to day matters

• General Court handled larger affairs

• John Winthrop has good deal of power as governer, encourages compromise

• General Court has assistants and deputies that must get each other’s consent for the law to pass (checks & balances)

• Nonchurch members: allowed to live in Massachusetts, could petition the government, participate in town meetings, vote for town officers

• Charles II imposes roual rule in 16600s; Puritans strongly resist

• Massachusetts gets a compromise charter 1698, elected town deputies to the General Court are allowed, but governor has veto power over laws passed by General Court

• Crown insists that non-chruch members get full political participations

• Crown demands on property ownership now

• Crown also demands religious toleration of previously persecuted forups

• Never full City on a Hill

The Puritans

• Goal to create “a city set upon a hill”

• Heavily emphasize literacy

• Communities are formed by groups of men who apply to the colony’s General Court for Land Grants; the land is divided for immediate use with some set apart as “commons’

• Town governments have broad involvement— all male property owners could vote in town meetings and choose local officials

• Towns wrote covenants, reflecting Puritan beliefs in covenant theology

• Towns also arbitrated disputes and sought to correct “wayward
  town members