Beginnings of the Reformation

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Beginnings of the Reformation

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(No Transcript)
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Reformation basics

• Major reform of Western Christianity
• Limit wealth and power of clergy and bishops
• Educate clergy and laypeople
• Break down division between clergy and laypeople
• Questioned basic doctrines
• Authority of church
• How salvation is mediated through church and
  sacraments?
• Relationship of church and state
• Importance of individual conscience
• Inspired Catholic (counter) Reformation,
  Jesuits
• Established new churches
• Protected by state contributed to rising
  nationalism
• Beginnings of modern critique of religion
• Questioned religious authority promoted
  individual conscience

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Basics, cont.

• When?
• Beginning 1517 (Luthers 95 Theses)
• Where?
• Esp. in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands,
  England
• Why did it catch on?
• Aided by political protectors like Prince
  Frederick
• Aided by printing press (1450), caught publics
  attention
• Types
• Magisterial protected by magistrates/state
  officials Lutheran and Reformed
• Radical broader critique and not protected by
  state Anabaptists
• Catholic reformed practices and clarified
  doctrine Council of Trent

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What needed reform?

• Ground level
• Elaborate sacramental system mediated, obscured
  contact with God
• Eucharist seen, usually not received (bells at
  Mass, hocus pocus)
• Indulgences, relics
• Christ feared as Judge, Mary seen as merciful
• Clergy and religious had much greater spiritual
  status than laity
• Clergy
• Not necessarily educated or studied in scriptures
• Bishops
• Positions connected with land and wealth
• Did not always live in diocese not connected
  with people
• Papacy
• 2, then 3 popes (1378-1415) really infallible?
• Conciliarism never took hold in 1400s
• Fighting with political rulers over ultimate
  power
• Very decadent Renaissance popes opulent wealth,
  kids, mistresses

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Martin Luther (1483-1546)

• Monk, Bible professor
• Key years 1517-1521 (excommunication)
• Personal breakthrough cannot earn salvation
• Theology of the time Do what is in you
• Luther what is in you is never good enough for a
  perfect God
• Therefore, salvation is pure gift from God
• Scripture, grace, faith are central
• Critiques church authority and mediation

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For next time

• Letter to the German Nobility (1520)
• Know the three walls
• How does Luther distinguish political and
  spiritual authority?