Reformation Continues Zwinglism, Calvinism, Anabaptists

Reformation Continues

Zwinglism, Calvinism, Anabaptists

Luther’s Break from Church Teachings

• “by faith alone” – States that salvations comes not from good works but through

personal faith in a merciful God. • “By Scripture Alone”– The true teachings are in the Bible, not in invented Church doctrines.

• “Priesthood of All Believers”– You are your own priest. People can have own relationship with God

without a mediator.

#The movement to break away from the Church spread to Switzerland.– Thirteen cantons (small states) joined under a Diet– Independent– No powerful princes– More urban based

#Why would it spread there?

Zwinglianism

#Ulrich Zwingli• While Luther was gaining influence in northern HRE, Zwingli

was doing same in south.

#Similarities to Luther: Biblical basis, salvation by faith alone, rejection of celibacy, embrace of marriage, education, simplistic worship.

Differences from Luther

• Emphasized independence of individual believer#De-emphasized importance of clergy #Made a tribunal of clergy/officials to enforce discipline. Could excommunicate. Informers.– Little faith in the individual upkeep of morals

• Long church services

Main Difference

#Consubstantiation vs. Transubstantiation– Write down what Luther and Zwingli disagreed on about Communion

• Disagreement set precedent for further splintering of Protestantism

Anabaptists: Radical Reformers

• “rebaptizers”—nickname from enemies

# Believed in adult baptism instead of infant baptism# Believed in separation of church and state. • The “elect” should not participate in government

• Pacifist

• One Anabaptist group—Melchiorites—gained control of the city of Munster, abolished private property, burned all books but Bible, were polygamous and waited for second coming.• Until Lutherans and Catholics massacred them

Calvinism

# Led by John Calvin # Influenced by Martin Luther but developed his own views• France was Catholic• So he fled to Switzerland. Why?• Settled in Geneva, Switzerland in 1536.

Principles of Calvinism

# Predestination: based on the idea that God knew and willed in advance all things that happened, including who would be saved or not. • The Elect—a chosen few• They would know they were the elect because they would be able

to pursue a saintly life• If you did not behave to the community’s expectations you were

cast out.

# EMPHASIS ON PERFECTION made it different from other Protestant movements.

Theocracy

# Geneva was a theocracy because Calvinism believed that religious leaders should be political leaders.# No separation of church and state.• A body of minsters and devout laymen ruled the church (presbyteries)

and a council of ministers and pious laymen (elders) ruled the town.# Rules: No dancing, instruments, cards, alcohol, swearing. Constant self-examination and Bible study. • Required public confession of sins.

• Simple, long church services focused on sermons• No colorful attire for ministers• Images representing saints, Mary, or Christ were prohibited• Persecuted religious dissenters

TULIP

• T—Total depravity• U—Unconditional Election• L—Limited atonement• I—Irresistible grace• P—Perseverance of the saints.

Calvinism Spreads

• European reformers traveled to Geneva to study because it was considered a “model community” of Christians.• Visitors returned to homes with Calvinism.

• Huguenots—French Calvinists. Remained a minority among Catholic majority. Supported by members of the nobility.• Presbyterians—Scotland Calvinists. Leader: John Knox.• 1560—Presbyterianism became official religion

• England—Calvinists called Puritans.