Class 8: Anabaptists and English Reformation

1 February 2006

Introduction

Anabaptists and English Reformation are really ‘bookends’ of reformation

Anabaptists known as ‘Radical Reformers’ English Reformation leads to Anglicanism,

most like Catholicism

Beginnings of Anabaptists

Actually, a collection of many splinter small groups in Switzerland and Germany Started in Zurich first as supporters of Zwingli and then

moved beyond him Initial issue was infant baptism

Luther, Zwinlgi and Calvin accepted it The rejection of infant Baptism also included

rejection of Church as a society into which one is born Reject notion of one Church, creed

Posed a radical threat to all other Churches

Separation of Christian from State Individual Christian in relation to God with only

Scripture as a guide Rejection of liturgy, images

Formed a ‘state within a state’; rejected normal obligations of citizenship: taxes, military service Separation of small communities of true Church and State Exclusivists communities

As a result, persecuted by all: Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinists

Anabaptists ‘beliefs’

Rejected infant baptism; sacraments in general Rejected true presence in Eucharist Iconoclasts

Sometimes described as Spiritualists God does not work through material signs Only radical in-breaking of Spirit into a person’s soul leads

to salvation “me and Jesus”

Anticlerical; radical belief in priesthood of all believers Recall Luther required training for Pastors Calvin wrote massive Institutes

Schleitheim Articles 1527

Written at a meeting of non-Lutheran, non-Zwingli Protestants in town of Schleitheim

Only two classes of people: good and bad Shepherd is anyone who is godly Radical separation of believers from world Some groups today that trace to Anabaptists:

Baptists, Mennonites

Reformation in England: opposition to Luther and Calvin Henry VIII initially opposes Luther, remains

faithful to Rome Cardinal Wolsey excommunicates Luther and

burns his books, 1521 Thomas More leads intellectual attack against

Luther in England

The King’s Great Matter

Henry married Catherine of Spain in 1509 (daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, aunt of HRE Charles V) marriage yields no male heir; only Mary Tudor survives

childhood Pope Clement VII refuses to annul marriage Note the request comes just after Charles V had sacked

Rome and Clement not eager to further provoke Charles Angry that Wolsey could not convince Pope to allow an annulment;

Henry replaces Wolsey with More as Chancellor of England Henry secretly married Anne Bolyn in 1533 Henry declares himself head of Church in England 1534 with Act of

Supremacy; Thomas More and others executed 1535 for refusing to give

allegiance to Henry as head of Church

Anglican Doctrine

Very little doctrinal disagreement between Henry VIII and Rome

Seven Sacraments, infant baptism accepted Real Presence in Eucharist Retain much of Catholic liturgical elements Retain notion of apostolic succession, but now

through bishop of Canterbury Priestly celibacy continued until Henry VIII’s

successor, Edward VI

After Henry VIII and Edward VI: Mary Tudor Mary was the only child of Henry VIII and Catherine

of Aragon Because no male heir after Edward, Mary becomes

queen as eldest daughter in 1553 Mary devoutly Catholic Marries Phillip II of Spain, son of Charles V

English Protestants were persecuted, many executed; “Bloody Mary”

Mary died 1558; her half sister Elizabeth becomes queen Protestantism restored

Elizabeth

Re-establishes Protestantism as official religion of England Act of Supremacy of 1559 recognized Elizabeth as head of

Church in England But does not execute Catholics

Statement of beliefs in Thirty Nine Articles Tried to be a middle way between Catholic doctrine, liturgy and

evangelical Protestantism Example: denied transubstantiation; accepted real presence

Some Protestants did not accept this; Known as puritans who wanted a pure church Also, wanted radical acceptance of priesthood of all believers,

known as Presbyterians; led by John Knox who had studied in Geneva while Mary Tudor reigned

Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542-1587)Not to be confused with Mary Tudor

Only child of James V of Scotland; As great-grand daughter of Henry VII, also had strong claims to English

throne after Mary Tudor’s death (Elizabeth being considered illegitimate, at least in Catholic circles)

Succeeded her father to throne at a very young age Raised in France; married Francois II (son of Henry II) While in France, England seizes Scotland

Elizabeth encourages growing puritan movement ot go to Scotland and evangelize Catholics there

Mary returns to Scotland after the death of Francois II; is captured and imprisoned by Elizabeth

After 19 years, executed when Catholic plots to overthrow Elizabeth become severe.

However, Mary’s son (by a second marriage), James, succeeds Elizabeth in 1603 James brought up as a Presbyterian in Scotland while his mother is in prison Strong belief in divine right of kings

Models of Church-State Development Catholic: Two powers, but Pope over civil

rulers Lutheran: Civil rulers over Church (Romans

13) Calvinists: Combined into one ruling body to

form a holy community Anglican: King head of Church and State Anabaptists: Perfect congregation within

broader evil society; witness to, but does not try to change broader society