Protestant Reformation

The causes of the Reformation:

1. Church was more interested in income than saving souls
2. It lost sight of its spiritual mission
3. Popes were too political
4. Some priests engaged in vices and misconduct
a. The Great Schism three popes at one time
5. New emphasis was on personal faith and spirituality
6. 1517, Germany The 95 objections of the Catholic church were stamped on a door of a
church, by a monk named Martin Luther

Who was Martin Luther?

He was from a noble family
He studied theology
He was shocked by the abuses of the church
He began his protest when a Tetzel came to sell indulgences

Timeline:
Protestantism:

Factors that lead to the spread of Protestantism:

I. Many Europeans wanted a simpler and more direct religion
II. German rulers established Lutheran Churches within their states
III. Charles Vs inability to defeat Protestant Princes
IV. Peace of Augsburg (in which each German ruler could choose the religion of its state)
V. Henry VIIIs desire for a divorce and the subsequent creation of the Anglican Church.

All Denominations of Protestantism:

What was Lutheranism?

Leader: Martin Luther
Belief: justification by grace through faith
Significant events:
I. Used the Printing Press It was a new concept at the time
II. He was excommunicated from the Church
 Personal Beliefs of Martin Luther:
Ceremonies and good deeds made no difference in saving sinners
Only inner faith in God would make sinners viable to receive
salvation through the grace of God

What was the Anglican Church?

Leader: King Henry VIII
Belief: England should have a separate religion, with the king being its head
Significant Events:
I. The English Parliament passed a series of Laws such as divorce to create the Anglican
Church. This was after The Catholic Church refused to grant Henry VIII divorce

What was Calvinism?

Leader: John Calvin
Belief: relied on faith and the Bible. Believed in predestination which is the idea that at the
beginning of time God had decided who would be saved.
Significant events:
I. Calvin moved to Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva became a state of theocracy
(dictatorship by the church) because of this. Calvinism spread through Europe

Who were the Huguenots?

Leader: John Calvin / high ranking French nobles
Belief: relied in faith, bible + predestination
Significant Events:
I. After a series of Civil Wars with Catholics, the Huguenots were given freedom of
worship by King Henry IV in the Edict of Nantes

How did Calvinism spread?

French Calvinists (The Huguenots) converted one third of French Nobility
French monarchs considered them to be threats
1562 civil wars break out between Catholics and Huguenots
1598 King Henry IV (France) issued the Edict of Nantes and gave everyone religious rights
Calvinism spread to Poland, Hungary, Scotland, Northern Netherlands, England and America
Scotland It spread here due to the fact that John Knox (A Scottish minister, theologian, and
writer who was a leader of the Reformation ) had returned from his studies in Geneva, to
Scotland where he founded the Presbyterian Church.

It is worth noting that John Knox and John Calvin had become friends whilst in Geneva.

Calvins Church in general Summary:

Carried on the work of Huldrych Zwingli
1536- Institutes of the church Religion
 Emphasised predestination- In the beginning of time, God had decided who would be saved.
This was called the elect
Formed a special community following high moral standards and emphasised self-discipline.
Geneva became a theocracy a dictatorship by the Church
With all this in mind, we can say that Huguenots were a sub-denomination of Calvinism since
they are led by John Calvin and consist of High ranking French nobles

The Religious Wars

Germany Civil wars between the Catholics and Lutherans
Catholics were led by emperor Charles V and the Lutherans were led by King Francis I

1555 Emperor Charles V feared the protestants who signed the Peace of Augsburg. As we know,
this stated that each state had the right to choose its religion. This however did not mean Freedom
of religion and Calvinists were left with no right to practise their religion

1618 The Thirty years war began and lasted till 1648.
Due to Ferdinand II the Peace of Augsburg was abandoned, Protestants declared war on the
catholic league
In 1635 France entered war against the emperor
Peace was made in the Treaty of Westphalia, 1648

What were the results of this war?

Protestantism was saved in Germany
The Emperors power was decreased therefore leading to an increase in the State princes
power
Germany is divided for 200 years
Peace between Catholic Religions.

France 1562, Civil War The Duke of Guise (Catholic) killed 300 Huguenots
1572 24th August St. Bartholomews Day Massacre
Queen Catherine + Duke of Guise vs. Huguenots
Thus, thousands of Huguenots were killed.

The Civil war came to an end when King Henry III was killed by Henry of Bourbon and became king of
France. Henry of Bourbon had to become Catholic to become King.

Finally, Henry produced the Edict of Toleration in 1598 which entailed:

1. Freedom of Worship
2. Equal rights between Huguenots and Catholics
3. Religious toleration amongst citizens
Therefore, Catholics and Protestants could live together in peace.
The Counter Reformation
The Catholic Church tries to reform itself

New Popes that focused on the Religion, not wealth

The Society of Jesuits and its good actions. (Missionaries, and tried to win back the states)
The Roman Inquisition. A churchs court that was used badly and abused of
The Council of Trent. It Prohibited books and remastered the Churchs teachings