The Protestant Reformati

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What was the Protestant Reformation?

• A protest (get it?) against the Church that led to the split of Christianity.

• It’s why we have Presbyterians, Methodists, Mennonites, Baptists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Brethren, Quakers, etc. etc. etc.

What Caused the Reformation?

•People said the Church was too corrupt.

•The Church was not focused on spiritual or moral issues, just money and power.

•People wanted religion to pay attention to faith and spiritual matters.

Where did the Reformation Start?

•Germany•Not unified- hard to control

people who believed different things.

•This made it easier for “bad” ideas to spread.

What were Indulgences?

•Sold so you could buy forgiveness for your sins.

•Church was raising money for art and St. Peter’s Basilica.

•Ironic: a Renaissance Pope helps to start the Reformation.

Who was Martin Luther?

•Was a priest, became angry about indulgences.

•Started the Protestant Reformation.

•Did it by posting his “95 Theses” on the door of church to challenge Church teachings.

What were Luther’s Beliefs?

•Salvation is individual – you just need faith, not good deeds.

•“Faith vs. Works” • Indulgences are very bad.•Bible only authority- priests not

needed. •“Every man a priest.”

How did the printing press help?

•Printing press spread the Reformation.

•Faster, easier, cheaper to make copies.

•Ideas could spread. •A few people copying by hand can

be controlled- many printing presses can’t.

Who was Calvin? What did he believe?

•He was Swiss, wanted to reform Christianity.

•He’s different because he believed in predestination.

•What’s that? A belief that God decided you were saved or damned before the world began.

•Otherwise, beliefs similar to Luther.

Who was Henry VIII?

•King of England.•Wanted divorce from first wife,

not allowed by Church, so he starts his own.

• It’s called the Church of England. •The King (or Queen) is the head,

not Pope.

What was the Counter-Reformation?

•Attempt by Catholic Church to reform.

•Response to Protestant Reformation.

•Wanted to refocus on true beliefs.•Wanted to stop Protestantism

from spreading.

Counter-Reformation Continued

•Council of Trent clarifies beliefs, makes new rules for priests, ends indulgences.

• Jesuits are an order of priests that use Counter-Reformation to spread a mix of Renaissance and Catholic beliefs- education and humanism.

What are the results of the Reformation?

•Many religious wars.•Many different churches in

Europe.• Increase in power of national

governments.•Decrease in power of all the

churches.