The Protestant Reformation

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Protestant Reformation

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It is the name given to the religious reform movement that devided the western church in catholic and protestant groups

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Setting the stage

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By the tenth century the church in Rome had come to dominate the religious life in northern and western Europe. However, the Roman catholic church didn't have universal approval. Over the centuries, rulers, scholars, and the members of the clergy critizized the church practices. Even though the chirch leaders made several reforms during the Middle Ages the problems continued

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Causes

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1. Wisespread changes in the intelectual though; the Renaissance and the Christian Humanism emphasis on the individual challenged the church authority

2. The printing press spread these new ideas

3. They claimed that the leaders of the Catholic church were corrupted. They said that they were too busy persuing worlds affairs rather than spiritual duties

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Reformation

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Humanists began to reform the church, they believed that higher standards of conduct were expected from the church leaders. They specially believed that the Pope failed to meet the spiritual needs. Meanwhile ordinary people were concern about their salvation and how to get indulgences (release from their punishment)

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Important contributors to reformation

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1. Desiderius Erasmus: He believed that the church should show people how to live good lives on a daily basis. He did'nt want to separate from the Catholic church

2. Mantin Luther:He was a monk who taught scripture. He concluded that humans were saved through their faith in God (which became the main thesis of the Protestant Church). The Bible became he only source of religious truth.

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The 95 Theses

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In 1517, Luther who wasn’t on agreement with the Catholic Church’s practices sent a list of 95 thesis to the local church superiors.
1. Attacks on the abuses in the sale of indulgences.
2. The Pope’s and Church’s traditions were false authorities.
3. All people with faith were equal.
Thousands of copies were printed and spread through Germany. He also attacked the sacraments, except for communion and baptism.
• This was Luther’s official break up with the catholic Church.

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Luther and the edict of worms

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• Initially the Church’s official viewed Luther as a rebellious monk, but soon he became a threat.
• In 1521, the church under Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther.
• Charles V, leader of the Holy Roman Empire, held a meeting with Luther in the city of Worms, where he declared that Luther was wrong and by the Edict of Worms, he was an outlaw to the empire.
• His books were burnt and nobody was supposed to shelter him Luther’s ruler, Frederick of Saxony gave him shelter for a year and allowed him to translate the Bible into German.

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Rise of Lutherism

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• In 1522, in Wittenberg, Luther realized that his ideas were put into practice.
• He gained the support of many German rulers among the states of the Holy Roman Empire, these rulers took control of the Catholic Churches forming new ones, that were led by the government.
• Lutherism Ideas:
 Sacrament replacement.
 Priests work ordinary clothes, were called ministers, could marry.
 Services were in German.
 New religious services were created to replace the Catholic mass.

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Politics in German reformation

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• Luther’s movement was tied to political affairs.
• King Charles V didn’t want to lose control over the Empire, but the political situation of it wasn’t in favor to him, and with time several sates freed from the king’s authority.
• In 1555, the Peace of Augsberg was on agreement that formally accepted he division of the church.
• The German states were free to choose between Catholicism and Lutherism, having the same rights.
• Individually were not able o choose the religion they wanted to follow.