The Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation was the European Christian

reform movement that began in 1517 when a German monk, Martin Luther published The

Ninety-Five Theses.

Why the need to reform?

Can you explain the need to reform?

Why the need to reform?

Others sharply criticized the Church for some of its

practices. Popes seemed more concerned with luxury

and political power than with spiritual matters.

Why the need to reform?

Why the need to reform?

As a result of the Renaissance, a new

perspective on the world, spreading knowledge and

education encouraged people to challenge authority, not

just accept what was told to them.

Biblical Teachings

•The printing press allowed for the publication of the bible in many vernaculars and for the first time in

hundreds of years, average people could read the bible.

To their surprise, much of what had always been taught

to them was not the truth.

•An indulgence was a guarantee of forgiveness. By paying money to the Church,

people thought they could win salvation.

What are Indulgences?

•The selling and buying of Church jobs

What is Simony?

Why do you think people rebelled against the church?

Can you explain ways in which the church was corrupt?

Who was Martin Luther?Martin Luther was a German

Monk who openly challenged the practice of indulgences and was the first to publicly

challenge church wrongdoings. He posted a

written protest called the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral in

Germany, for all to read.

Eventually his words were printed (using the new

printing press) and spread throughout Germany. This was the beginning of the Reformation movement.

Who was Martin Luther?

In 1524, peasants in Germany hoped to use Luther’s ideas about

Christian freedom to change society.

Goal of the Revolution

Goal of the Revolution

Politically, German princes hoped the revolution would

weaken the power of Catholic Church and help them escape

the rule of the Pope. This would make Monarchies

(King’s governments) stronger.

What Happened?A split between members of society saw some join forces with Luther (Protestants…

which came to mean “Christians who belonged to non-Catholic churches”) while others remained loyal to the

Pope. War eventually broke out

between Catholic and Protestant forces in Germany.

Can you explain the importance of what Martin Luther did?

CalvinismIn 1530, the Protestant

movement gave way to the teachings of John Calvin. Calvin wrote an important

book that gave structure to Protestant beliefs. He taught

that people are sinful by nature.

Calvinism which too was a religion for “Christians who

belonged to non-Catholic church”) taught predestination, the idea that God determines

beforehand (He has pre-determined,) who will be

saved..

Calvinism

Do you understand predestination?

The Catholic Church’s Response

As Protestant churches grew all over Europe, the Catholic

Church took steps to change itself. This was called the Catholic Reformation or Counter-Reformation.

The Catholic Church’s Response

One Catholic reformer was Ignatius (later St. Ignatius) who founded a new group in the Catholic Church based on

deep devotion to Jesus. Members of this group, were

called the Jesuits. (Think McQuiad HS…the Jesuits)

The Jesuits…

•started schools across Europe

•they sent missionaries to convert people to Catholicism

•tried to stop the spread of Protestantism

This was called the Counter-Reformation Movement

The Catholic Church’s Response

Do you understand how the counter reformation tried saved the Catholicism?

Legacy of the Reformation

In the wake of the movement, Protestant churches flourished

but…

•the Catholic Church became more unified

•there was an overall decline in the authority of the church.

•individual monarchs/Kings and nations gained greater power.