Protestant Reformation Review

  • Overview of the Protestant Reformation

    • Date: 16th Century
    • Significant religious movement that challenged the Catholic Church's practices and beliefs.

  • Catholic Church Before the Reformation

    • Dominance:
    • Majority of Europeans were Roman Catholics.
    • The Church unified Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, wielding vast influence.

  • Initiation of the Reformation

    • Key Figure:
    • Martin Luther: A German monk whose actions sparked the Reformation.
    • Motivated by a near-death experience during a thunderstorm in 1505.

  • Concerns in Rome (1505)

    • Observed the moral corruption and sale of indulgences which troubled him.

  • Luther's Journey to Wittenberg

    • Sent to the University of Wittenberg as part of his order's mission.

  • Theological Revelation

    • Sola Fide: Luther's belief that faith alone is necessary for salvation, conflicting with Catholic doctrine that includes good works.

  • 95 Theses

    • In response to indulgences, Luther published his 95 Theses outlining his critiques of the Church.

  • Debates and Influence

    • Denied the legitimacy of the papacy and asserted the Bible as the sole source of knowledge.
    • Influential due to the introduction of the printing press, enabling mass circulation of his ideas.

  • Translation of the Bible

    • Luther translated the Bible into German, making it accessible to the common people and fostering individual interpretations.

  • New Protestant Beliefs

    • Protestants emphasized Biblical authority, salvation through faith, and direct access to God while rejecting papal authority.

  • Social Revolt

    • The Reformation sparked social revolts challenging both religious and political authority, exemplified by the Twelve Articles demanding reform.
    • Martin Luther did not approve of the violent upheaval despite advocating for spiritual freedom.

  • German Peasants' Revolt

    • Outcome: The revolt failed politically but weakened the nobility's power and strengthened social divisions.

  • Lutheran State Church

    • Sweden established the first Lutheran state church in 1522 as political leaders sought to gain power and wealth by breaking from the Catholic Church.

  • Spread of Reformation

    • Switzerland: Early reformers like Zwingli led to the rejection of Catholic rituals but faced conflict.
    • England: The Reformation spread when King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church in 1534, leading to the establishment of Anglicanism.

  • Elizabeth I's Reforms

    • Made the Church of England moderate, reaffirming royal supremacy.

  • Catholic Church's Response

    • Countered the Reformation with doctrinal reforms in the Council of Trent and the establishment of the Jesuits to promote Catholicism.

  • Cost of the Reformation

    • Led to wars in Northern Europe as the struggle between Protestant and Catholic factions intensified.