2.1: Dissent in the Church

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2.1: Dissent in the Church

How did criticism of the Roman-Catholic Church lead to the Reformation and ultimately to a split within the Christian Church?

What do you already know about the Christian Church in the 16th century/ Middle Ages?

Arrogant Priests

Bishops neglect the mass, the blessings and all the religious rituals and act like secular monarchs. They even believe it cowardly and below their dignity to die anywhere else than on the battlefield, fighting the battles of the Lord. Not to be outdone by their bishops, ordinary priests dvoutly fight like soldiers for their right tot the tenth [church taxes] with swords, sticks, stones or anything else. And when they read their learned books, how cleverly they spy out sentences with which to prove that they are due not only to the tenth, but much more. How greatly this frightens the poor people!

(from: Desiderius Erasmus, In Praise of Folly, 1511)

What is Erasmus' opinion about the clergy/ church?

Erasmus

Erasmus was a humanist.

Humanists: idolized the culture and literature of classical Antiquity, believe men is a critical thinking human being. 

Western European humanists also studied the bible.

Erasmus was critical of the clergy of his day, but remained loyal to the Catholic Church.

Abuses in the Catholic Church

• Pope and bishops within the Catholic Church lived in great luxury and were hungry for power.
• Some lower clergyman had appointments within several parishes at once and recieved multiple incomes but didn't do the duties expected of them.
• Despite the oath of celibacy, priests had wives and children. As long as the priest paid a yearly fine, the bishop turned a blind eye.

Outcome: Many people believed that the clergy were more concerned with money and income than their priestly duties.

Luther 

Luther: German monk, struggled to answer the question: How people can attain salvation.

Criticized the way money was being collected to fund construction of the St. Peter in Rome.

1517: Wrote 95 theses (statements): a list of his criticism towards the church

Charles V demanded that Luther would retract his criticism, Luther refused....

Luthers speech

"Since Your Imperial Majesty and Your Lordships demand a simple reply, I will answer you plainly. Only the testimony of the Bible or clear avidence could convict me", "I can only be convinced by the bible. And as my conscience is captive tot the Word of God I cannot and I will not recant anything, for it is dangerous to go against conscience. God help me. Amen". 

- Luther's speech at the imperial Diet of Worms (18 April, 1521)

Indulgences = proof that your sins or some of your sins were forgiven: You paid for a place in heaven!

 letters of indulgence = proof that your sins or some of your sins were forgiven, you paid for a place in heaven!

With what did Luther struggled?

Why did Luther criticized the Catholic church?

Why was Luther excommunicated by the Catholic leaders?

Explain in your own words what indulgences are.

Luther(2) and the Protestant Churches

Emperor Charles V declared Luther an outlaw. A German elector stepped in and gave Luther his protection.

Catholic monarchs & Charles V  vs. Protestant rulers 

1555: Treaty of Ausburg: Each ruler had the right to choose the religion of his province. The Reformation sparked off and led to the foundation of the Protestant church

Protestant Churches

• centred on the Bible and personal faith, therefor had no priests but preachers.
• Translated bible so everyone could read it. 
• Where the protestants were not protected they had to meet in secret.

Calvinism

Founded by John Calvin (1509 - 1564)

Calvinist believe in Predesitnation: idea that god already determined in advance who will go to heaven or not.

Worshipping god through prayer

Although monarchs were chosen by god to rule, you needn't always obey the monarch.

What is the main difference on religon believes between followers of Luther and Calvin?

1. Luther's followers believe in predestination
2. Calvin's followers believe in predestination
3. According to calvin all monarchs were chosen by god and so you should obey them.
4. According to luther there were exception were you shouldn't obey the monarch

Explain predestination

How did criticism of the Roman-Catholic Church lead to the Reformation and ultimately to a split within the Christian Church?