History

The History of Protestant Revolution

Preapared for Dr. Ashfaque Hossain Professor Course Instructor - History Prepared By: Rifat Azim ZR 31 Rahat Khan ZR 33 Saurav Das Deep ZR 34 Ahnaf Zabee ZR 35 Mrinmoy Kanti Das ZR 36 Naimul Khalid Riaz ZR 37 Sabbir Rashid ZR 38 Nabila Jamal ZR 39 Farwah Tasnim ZR 40 BBA 18/A

Institute of Business Administration University of Dhaka

11/7/2012

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Background ................................................................................................................................................... 3 Causes of the Protestant Reformation ......................................................................................................... 4 Effects and Impacts of the Protestant Reformation ..................................................................................... 5 Precursors to the Reformation ..................................................................................................................... 6 John Wycliff(133084) .............................................................................................................................. 6 John Huss (13691415) ............................................................................................................................. 7 A Bohemian priest, excommunicated in 1410, and burned at the stake for heresy in 1415. His death lead to the Hussite Wars in Bohemia.................................................................................................... 7 Prominent figures in the Reformation .......................................................................................................... 7 Martin Luther (1483 - 1546) ..................................................................................................................... 7 Huldreich Zwingli (1484-1531) .................................................................................................................. 7 John Calvin (1509-64)................................................................................................................................ 8 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................................. 9

Figure 1 Europe after Revolution .................................................................................................................. 6

Introduction
Protestant revolution is a revolution which has affected every person in the West, and nearly every country in the world. It is a revolution which has dictated the very fabric of existence- from what people do for a living, to who people vote for, which they go to war with and how they see themselves as individuals and as nations. Its influence has spread from the workshops of the industrial revolution to the gleaming towers of the world, from 24/7 capitalism to current world politics. And it was all a product of an incredible revolutionary figure. Not a general or a philosopher, but a German monk called Martin Luther. It started as an argument over theology nearly over 500 years ago-an argument that would split the Catholic Church and would witness the emergence of a new form of Christianity- Protestantism. Though this was an accidental revolution, but the impact of it went far beyond religion.

Background
The greatest event of the16th century, the most revolutionary movement was the Protestant Reformation. It was the Reformation that forced people to make a choice - to be Catholic or Protestant. This was an important choice, and a choice had to be made. The Reformation was dominated by the figure of Martin Luther. The resulting Protestant Reformation changed the course of Western civilization. The theological and ideological core of Luthers thinking is the freedom of the Christian, that center around which every other aspect of his thoughts rotates. It raises the concept of freedom or liberty. It was a project of liberating people; liberating them from false belief, from false religion, and from arbitrary authority. During that period Popes and bishops were acting more like king and princes than they were the spiritual guides of the European men and women. Popes and other Church officials encouraged the sale of indulgences to raise money for many purposes. Over time, people came to believe that they could literally buy their way into heaven with indulgences. It was even possible to purchase them for the dead. At the same time Popes bought and sold high offices all these led to the increasing wealth of the Church. Some Church officials held several offices at once and lived off their income. Luther was very much disenchanted by this kind of behavior of the Catholic Church officials. The Roman Catholic Church was a major political power in the Western Europe. Popes used this power to defend and expand the churchs influence and wealth. During that period, many Germans started to believe that the church took advantage of them. Due to the fact that so many people were moving into cities, the lavish home and palace of the church were noticed by more and more people from all walks of life. The common people, meanwhile, sought a more personal, spiritual and immediate kind of religion something that would touch them immediately in the heart. The ritual of the Church then meant very little to them. They needed some kind of guarantee that they would indeed be saved. What seemed to be needed then was a general reform of the Christianity itself.

Causes of the Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation is believed to have been sparked by the 1517 posting of Luther's NinetyFive Theses. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to ("protested") the doctrines, rituals, and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led to the creation of new national Protestant churches. (Treu, 2003) The Reformation was catalyzed by earlier events within Europe, such as the Black Death, the mid 15thcentury invention of the printing press, and the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire. All these contributed to the creation of Protestantism. The Reformation began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church, by priests who opposed what they perceived as false doctrines and ecclesiastic malpracticeespecially the teaching and the sale of indulgences or the abuses thereof, and simony (the selling and buying of clerical offices) that the reformers saw as evidence of the systemic corruption of the Church's Roman hierarchy, which included the Pope. The Black Death indirectly led to the Protestant Reformation. The Black Death caused a shortage of clerics who had previously hand-copied books. Gutenberg and his associates invented a new method of copying books that didn't require the hand labor, it was movable type printing. This caused a rapid increase in publishing and spread of books at that time. The newly printed books led to a new interest in reading, more people learned to read, and demanded more books to read. Martin Luther, who had learned to read the Bible in its original languages, recognized mistakes in translation. This led to his belief that the Pope must be able to make mistakes (which was against Roman Catholic teachings (Cameron, 1991)) This along with 94 other issues were on a list Martin Luther nailed to the door of the cathedral in Wittenberg (the 95 thesis) which he proposed to debate over the a representative of the Pope. The furor over Luther's behavior, ideas, and objections (his protests) drew followers and powerful supporters - which eventually became the protestant reformation The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (Latin: Disputatio pro declaratione virtutis indulgentiarum), commonly known as The Ninety-Five Theses, was written by Martin Luther in 1517 and is widely regarded as the initial catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. The disputation protests against clerical abuses, especially the sale of indulgences. The background to Luther's Ninety-Five Theses centers on practices within the Catholic Church regarding baptism and absolution. Significantly, the Theses rejected the validity of indulgences (remissions of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven). They also view with great cynicism the practice of indulgences being sold, and thus the penance for sin representing a financial transaction rather than genuine contrition. Luther's Theses argued that the sale of indulgences was a gross violation of the original intention of confession and penance, and that Christians were being falsely told that they could find absolution through the purchase of indulgences. ( Medieval Life and Times, 2012)

Effects and Impacts of the Protestant Reformation

The protestant reformation had a significant impact over peoples life in all over Europe. The reformation mainly attacked the beliefs and practices of the catholic churches. Because of this reformation instead of changing the catholic practices a new religion was formed. The Lutheran religion was basically reproduction of the Catholic religion with a few key changes. The Protestant Reformation and the creating of the Lutheran Church divided Christians and reshaped political and religious values in all of Europe. Protestantism gave people a new sense of coming to god without the mediation of the church and the priests. The Lutherans did not accept any kind of indulgence or donation in order to become closer to God. The churches began to draw the line on what is acceptable and what is not, people began to live a more holy life in all senses. Because of the vernacular translations made by the Lutheran churches people started to challenge the authority of the Catholic Churches and Popes as people had opportunity to read and interpret the scriptures for themselves. As a result Kings gained absolute control over their kingdoms. Later on it also led to Anti-Authoritarianism resulting in contempt for the Medieval Feudal System and the power of the Feudal Lords and a preference for government by the people. ( Medieval Life and Times, 2012) Because of the reformation the unity of Europe as a Christian society was shattered. Europe became politically fragmented along religious lines. Violent religious wars occurred in France, Germany and Bohemia like the French wars of Religion, the thirty years war and the civil war in England. Since religion had much to do with the government and politics, the respective governments of different countries could no longer rely on paying off the church in order to get their way. After the Reformation, governments have had to address issues in a non-corrupt way, which includes the paying off of churches in order to make the issue they are dealing with socially acceptable. They can no longer say that because the church accepted their ideas that the rest of the community must do the same.

Figure 1 Europe after Revolution

Precursors to the Reformation

John Wycliff(133084)
He attacked what he saw as corruptions within the church, including: 1. 2. 3. 4. The sale of indulgences Pilgrimages The excessive veneration of saints The low moral and intellectual standards of ordained priests.

Wycliffe also repudiated the doctrine of transubstantiation, held that the Bible was the sole standard of Christian doctrine, and argued that the authority of the Pope was not grounded in Scripture.

John Huss (13691415)

A Bohemian priest, excommunicated in 1410, and burned at the stake for heresy in 1415. His death lead to the Hussite Wars in Bohemia. 1. Believed in predestination 2. Regarded the Bible as the ultimate religious authority 3. Argued that Christ, rather than any ecclesiastical official, is the true head of the church.

Prominent figures in the Reformation

Martin Luther (1483 - 1546)
Martin Luther was a German monk and teacher of theology. On October 31, 1517 he nailed his 95 theses onto the door of Castle Church at Wittenberg. These theses were Latin propositions opposing the manner in which indulgences (release from the temporal penalties for sin through the payment of money) were being sold in order to raise money for the building of Saint Peter's in Rome. Diet of Worms: In 1520 Pope Leo X ordered Luther to give up his beliefs. Luther burned the order in front of a cheering crowd and was excommunicated by Leo X. he translated New Testament into German, making it possible for more people to read the Bible. (Plass, 1959)

Huldreich Zwingli (1484-1531)

Swiss theologian and leader of early Reformation movements in Switzerland. In 1518, he vigorously denounced the sale of indulgences. Zwingli believed that: 1. The Bible was the sole source of moral authority. 2. Everything in the Roman Catholic system not specifically prescribed in the Scriptures should be eliminated. Under Zwingli's leadership: 1. 2. 3. 4. Religious relics were burned. Ceremonial processions and the adoration of the saints were abolished. Priests and monks were released from their vows of celibacy. The Mass was replaced by a simpler communion service. (Chadwick, 2001)

John Calvin (1509-64)

Calvin was a French Protestant theologian who fled religious persecution in France and settled in Geneva in 1536. Insisted on reforms including: 1. The congregational singing of the Psalms as part of church worship. 2. The enforcement of a strict moral discipline in the community by the pastors and members of the church. 3. The excommunication of egregious sinners. Geneva was, under Calvin, essentially a theocracy. Dress and behavior were subject to minute details of regulation. Forbidden activities included: Dancing, Card playing, and Dicing. Less innocuous activities such as blasphemy were subjected to the most severe punishments. Nonconformists were persecuted and even put to death. All citizens were provided with at least an elementary education so that they might read and understand the Bible. (Mcgrath, 1990)

Conclusion
The Protestant Reformation has been credited with a powerful influence on many aspects of modern life. Capitalism, the Scientific Revolution, modern democracy, all have been seen as having their roots in the Reformation. The Protestant Reformation was the 16th century European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Its religious aspects were supplemented by ambitious political rulers who wanted to extend their power and control at the expense of the Church. The Reformation ended the unity imposed by medieval Christianity and, in the eyes of many historians, signaled the beginning of the modern era. A weakening of the old order was already under way in Northern Europe, as evidenced by the emergence of thriving new cities and a determined middle class. In Northern and central Europe, reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin challenged the papal authority and questioned the Catholic Churchs ability to define Christian practice. In 1517, Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk, posted 95 theses on the church door in the university town of Wittenberg. That act was common academic practice of the day and served as an invitation to debate. Luthers propositions challenged some portions of Roman Catholic doctrine and a number of specific practices. Luther argued that the Bible, not the pope, was the central means to discern Gods word a view that was certain to raise eyebrows in Rome. Further, Luther maintained that justification (salvation) was granted by faith alone; good works and the sacraments were not necessary in order to be saved. The disruption triggered wars, persecutions and the CounterReformation, the Catholic Churchs delayed but forceful response to the Protestants. The term Protestant was not initially applied to the reformers, but later was used to describe all groups protesting Roman Catholic orthodoxy. Along with the religious consequences came deep and lasting political changes. Despite the wishes and actions of some old church governments and the Pope, Protestantism established itself permanently in Europe. People were affected at both a personal, and spiritual level, finding a new faith, as well as the socio-political one, as an entirely new layer division was added to the established order. The consequences, and troubles, of the Reformation remain to this day.

Bibliography
Medieval Life and Times. (2012, November 5). Retrieved from http://www.medieval-life-andtimes.info/medieval-religion/protestant-reformation.htm Cameron, E. (1991). The European Reformation. Chadwick, O. (2001). The Early Reformation on the Continent. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Mcgrath, A. E. (1990). A Life of John Calvin. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. Plass, E. M. (1959). What Luther Says: An Anthology. St Louis: Concordia Publishing House. Treu, M. (2003). Martin Luther in Wittenberg: a biographical tour. Wittenberg: Saxon-Anhalt Luther Memorial Foundation.