REF - Reformation Module Overview

The Reformation

Introduction

The Protestant Reformation rocked Europe to its foundation. With the increased secularization of the Italian Renaissance, and the calls for reform from the Christian Humanists in the Northern Renaissance, the break from the Catholic Church seemed almost inevitable. And yet it was a surprise in many ways. It came fast and furious - once the initial split with Luther happened, everything else moved at lightening speed with various factions breaking away. Reasons were varied, but ultimately, regardless of the rationale, each split served to usher in a new era for European History; the ramifications of which will be felt for centuries after. Understanding this module will be of vital importance in understanding the relationships and tensions that develop over the next few centuries.

 

Look at the painting to the right. It is The Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio. Note the light that seems to appear out of nowhere - there is no discernible light source. This is a characteristic of the Baroque movement and known as chiaroscuro.

 

Essential Questions

• What were the long term circumstances which served to weaken the Catholic Church?
• What were the abuses within the Catholic Church which contributed to the criticisms of the Church?
• What role did John Wycliffe and Jan Hus play in the new ideas of the reformers?
• What circumstances prompted Martin Luther to challenge the Church?
• What were Luther's responses as noted in the Confessions of Augsburg, to the four basic theological issues?
• Martin Luther was considered a "reformer". Does that label apply to all aspects of German life? Why? Why not?
• What reasons, other than religious, would the German Princes have had to follow Luther?
• Calvin's Geneva has been called "the city that was a church". Is this depiction accurate? Why? Why not?
• Who were the Anabaptists? Why were they persecuted even by other Protestants?
• What were the causes and effects of the English Reformation?
• What was the Elizabethan Settlement?
• What were the goals and methods of the Society of Jesus?
• What decisions were made at the Council of Trent to help counter the Reformation?
• Identify the major doctrinal beliefs of: Lutheranism, Calvinism, Catholicism, and the Anabaptists.

 

Textbook Assignment and Unit Review Form

As you work through this module, be certain to read the Reformation chapter in your textbook. As you are reading you may wish to jot down notes in the unit review form. This is for your notes, not to submit.

Click here to download a copy of the unit review form. Links to an external site.

 

Key Terms and People

There are several people and items you need to look over for this module. Be sure to download the ID list (linked below) - EVEN if you do not plan on defining them for your notes. This is for your notes, not to submit. You need to look over the list of terms to see what you will need to pay particular attention to in this module.

Click here to download a copy of the ID List for this module. Links to an external site.

The presentation below is helpful in seeing some of the more important people and terms, but is by no means a definitive list.

 

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.