Natasha Hnatuk AP Euro Luther vs.

Henry VIII rewrite 09/24/11 While Martin Luther and Henry VIII differed greatly in their lifestyles and statuses, they both believed in bringing about religious changes during the Reformation. Luther and Henry VIII, both important figures in the reformation of the church, had different motives; Henry wanted to insure stability and centralization of England ultimately resulting in England breaking away from the Catholic church, while Luther debated the problems of the Catholic church, resulting in political turmoil. The major difference between Martin Luther and Henry VIII was the reasons they believed change was needed. Luther firmly believed that the Catholic church was using its power inappropriately, stating numerous examples, such as the selling of indulgences and vast amounts of wealth, in his 95 Theses. He was concerned about the spiritual aspects of religion, while King Henry VIII was interested in the temporal and political. When the pope refused to grant him an annulment of the marriage he had previously given him to Henrys brothers widow, Catherine of Aragon, Henry decided to break away from the supremacy of the Pope. Although Catherine had given birth to a daughter, she couldnt bare a male heir, which Henry desperately wanted in order to maintain the stability of the recently unified England and to avoid another War of the Roses. Henry was hoping to marry a different woman who would be able to bare him a male successor. Luther ended up founding Lutheranism and Henry VIII founded the Church of England. The new sects had doctrines very similar to that of the Catholic church, with the difference being the denial of the supremacy of the Pope. Through the Act of Supremacy, Henry made himself the head of both the Church and state in England, taking away the conflict in loyalties English citizens may have had to the Pope in Rome and to their country. This resulted in a more unified England. Lutheran doctrine made it clear that the religion was based on God, a priesthood of all believers in which anybody could have a relationship with God with or without the clergy. Sola Scriptura and sola fides, by the Bible and faith alone, were what led the beliefs of Lutherans. The Church of England also focused far more on the wealth involved with religion than Lutherans did. Luther disapproved of the wealth and luxury associated with the Catholic church, feeling it was more temporal than spiritual, and so did not focus on it. However, Henry, whose main interest was in gaining power and stability for England, had no problem using religion to gain wealth. In fact, when the Church of England was created, he sold the monastic lands to nobles who were willing to pay large amounts of money for it and gained more wealth for England. Both Martin Luther and King Henry VIII were important figure in the Reformation, bringing about religious change in a similar manner, but for very different reasons. Henry VIII was looking for power and unification of England, while Martin Luther was interested in changing the abuse and

corruption of the Catholic church. The consequences of these, ironically, were opposite of what they initially wanted. Luthers changes caused political upheaval throughout Europe including the Peasants revolts in the German states and the Wars of Religion. Henry VIII did receive a male heir, Edward, but he was weak and not the successor Henry had wanted. The major result of his reformation remained the religious changes and the Church of England.