The Protestant Reformation

1
The Protestant Reformation

• SS.A.3.4.2 SS.B.1.4.4 SS.B.2.4.3

2
Christian Humanism

• As the new classical learning and humanism spread
  north from Italy
• In the north, it is known as Christian Humanism
  the belief that humans have the ability to reason
  and improve themselves.
• Through study of classics and basic writings of
  Christianity, inner piety would reform the Church
• To change society, you must first change the
  people who make society

3
Desiderius Erasmus

• Believed Christianity should show people how to
  live, rather than provide a system of beliefs to
  achieve salvation
• Philosophy of Christ
• He wanted to change the Catholic Church from
  within
• Criticized the abuses of the church

4
Trouble In The Church

• Renaissance popes fail to meet churchs spiritual
  needs
• Too involved in Italian politics
• Many church officials used office to advance
  their own agenda and fortune
• Sale of Indulgences

5
Martin Luther The Protestant Reformation

• Martin Luther, a German monk and professor, has
  idea about salvation from studying the Bible
• Good works are not needed, salvation comes from
  faith in Christ alone.
• Justification by faith alone
• The Bible becomes the only authority to Luther
  and his followers (Protestants)

6
The Ninety-Five Theses

• Luther did not consider himself a rebel
• Upset by selling of indulgences
• 1517 Luther writes 95 problems he sees in the
  church Ninety-Five Theses printed
• Spreads throughout Germany, Europe
• Pope Leo X ignores problem
• 1520 Luther begins to ask German princes to
  break with Catholic Church and establish a
  reformed German Church

7
Break-Away Church

• Luther attacks Church sacraments
• Sees them a destroying the true meaning of the
  gospels to him, only baptism and Communion
  (Eucharist) were meaningful
• Also wanted priests to be able to marry
• Luther is excommunicated in 1521
• Holy Roman Emperor Charles V also not happy with
  Luther, M.L. is outlawed
• Protected by his prince in Wittenberg

8
Rise of Lutheranism

• Luthers movement becomes a revolution
• Princes who agreed with Luther broke with the
  emperor, took control of the Catholic churches in
  their areas, and put them under government
  control (Lutheran)
• Luther changes the Catholic mass, with more
  emphasis on The Bible, preaching and songs
• Lutheranism becomes the first Protestant faith

9
Political Unrest in Germany

• Peasants rise up against lords
• Luther sides with lords
• Many lords have sway on Luthers thinking
• Luther is dependent on German lords for the
  growth of his church
• The faith of Luthers movement is closely based
  on politics

10
German Politics Reform

• Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, was also Charles
  IKing of Spain
• Controlled an empire including Spain and its
  colonies, Germany, Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, the
  Italian Duchy of Milan, the Kingdom of Naples
  and the Low Countries (Flanders)
• Hoped to keep control of his empire by keeping it
  Catholic

11
Problems In Germany

• Charles goes to war with France for 20 yrs
• Pope sides with France
• Turks expand empire into Charles lands
• Charles fights the Turks on the eastern front
• German lords/princes who agree with Luther, break
  away from H.R. Empire
• Lutherans have time to organize while Charles is
  fighting his wars, ready for war
• Peace of Augsburg Luther and Catholic states are
  equal within the empire