REF - Luther and the Protestant Reformation (Lesson)
Luther and the Protestant Reformation
Erasmus plants the seed... that Luther sows
It is said that the ideas expressed by Erasmus laid the groundwork for Luther's eventual split with the Church. In fact, Erasmus often was erroneously blamed for Luther's actions. The reality is the Reformation was based on many factors and Luther's actions were often a direct result of actions on the part of the Pope. As for Erasmus, he remained loyal to the Catholic Church and he and Luther debated about the role of man’s will when it came to following the will of God. However, Erasmus was not blind to the shortcomings of the Catholic Church.
What does this excerpt from Erasmus’s In Praise of Folly tell you about his attitude toward the piety of monks?
"Those who are the closest to these [the theologians] in happiness are generally called “the religious” or “monks”, both of which are deceiving names, since for the most part they stay as far away from religion as possible and frequent every sort of place. I cannot, however, see how any life could be more gloomy than the life of these monks if I [Folly] did not assist them in many ways. Though most people detest these men so much that accidentally meeting one is considered to be bad luck, the months themselves believe they are magnificent creatures. One of their chief beliefs is that to be illiterate is to be of a high state of sanctity, and so they make sure that they are not able to read. Another is that when braying out their gospels in church they are making themselves very pleasing and satisfying to God, when in fact they are uttering these psalms as a matter o repetition rather than from their hearts." - Erasmus, In Praise of Folly
Please watch the video for information on the origins of the Reformation as well as Martin Luther and the establishment of Protestantism.
The video is 37 minutes in total but includes all of the information you need for this major component of the course. It has been divided into 2 sections for easier access and you can download a transcript from below (it includes the notes from the video as well as the time of each of the sections.) You can also check the chart below each video for timing information if you are unable to watch them in one sitting. Videos may take a few minutes to load.
You can access a transcript here. Links to an external site.
Part One
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Origins of the Reformation - Part 1 |
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Slide |
Time |
Key Topics Discussed |
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1 - Origins of Reformation |
Duration - 8 minutes, 59 seconds |
Simony, Pluralism, Relics, John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, Transubstantiation, Indulgences |
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2 - Martin Luther |
Start - 8:59 Duration - 3 minutes, 22 seconds |
Early Life, joining the Church, Religious beliefs, Justification by Faith alone |
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3 - Johann Tetzel |
Start - 12: 23 Duration - 1 minute, 40 seconds |
Pardon Merchants sell indulgences |
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4 - 95 Theses |
Start - 14:03 Duration - 2 minutes, 24 seconds |
Issues addressed in the 95 Theses |
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5 - Why Can't the Pope Act? |
Start - 16:27 Duration - 3 minutes, 9 seconds |
Pope's response to 95 Theses Role of Frederick the Elector Pope & Luther's interactions |
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6 - Writ of Excommunication |
Start - 19:36 Duration - 1 minute, 11 seconds |
Writ of Excommunication issued Luther burns Charles V responds |
Luther’s 95 theses were intended to initiate a dialogue but they had a much greater effect. Review the excerpt from the 95 Theses and consider why these ideals were so attractive to the common man.
Read Luther's 95 Theses here. Links to an external site.
Part Two
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Origins of the Reformation - Part 2 |
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Slide |
Time |
Key Topics Discussed |
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Slide 7 - Diet of Worms |
Duration - 3 minutes, 18 seconds |
Luther's trial for heresy "Here I Stand" |
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Slide 8 - Augsburg Confession |
Start - 3:18 Duration - 3 minutes, 34 seconds |
Edict of Worms Establishment of the Lutheran Religion Justification by Faith Alone Priesthood of all believers |
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Slide 9 - Peasants Revolt |
Start - 6:50 Duration - 2 minutes, 59 seconds |
Religious vs Social Reform Luther's need of the Princes' support Against the Murdering, Thieving Hordes |
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Slide 10 - Revolt |
Start - 9:49 Duration - 2 minutes, 49 seconds |
Lutheranism as political protest PROTEST-ant Civil Dispute Peace of Augsburg |
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Slide 11 - Peace of Augsburg |
Start - 12:39 Duration - 3 minutes, 30 seconds |
Peace of Augsburg Lutheranism and Catholicism recognized cuius regio, eius religio |
Calvin
Martin Luther was not the only religious reformer to have an impact on the Protestant Reformation. John Calvin established his own church based on the tenets of Calvinism. While Calvin believed that faith was the path to salvation, he also believed in predestination, that an all knowing God knows from birth who will be one of the "elect" or chosen for salvation. He expresses his beliefs in The Institutes of Christian Religion, a book that is considered one of the most significant works on Christianity ever written.
Calvin was invited to establish a theocracy in Geneva ("a city that was a church") and only those committed to Calvin's principles of the omnipotence of God, the insignificance of humanity, and predestination were allowed to live in the city. Life in Geneva was austere with no tolerance for dissenters or individualism. Activities such as dancing, singing, gambling/playing cards, and drinking were expressly forbidden. Calvin believed that church and state should combine in order to regulate behavior. The Consistory was a judiciary body composed of lay elders, or presbyters, who had the power to impose harsh penalties for those who did not follow God's law.
Those chosen for salvation were called the "Elect." Good works were unnecessary because God had already made the decision. Those who were chosen would be revealed through a "conversion experience." Those who had the experience should lead a model Christian life, being "visible saints." However, Calvinists also sanctioned the idea that a person’s ability to gather wealth was a sign of God’s favor and a reward for hard work.
Though it originally centered mostly in Switzerland, Calvinism spread out more than Lutheranism and, long term, became much more influential than Lutheranism. It moved into Scotland, the Netherlands, and later into England as the Puritans gained a stronger voice. By the mid-16th century, it spread to France, with the French Calvinists being known as Huguenots
Both Luther and Calvin inspired religious radicals, such as the Anabaptists, as well as other groups such as German peasants. This will be discussed in the next lesson.
Further Review:
You can also view the Crash Course videos over the Reformation. They discuss Luther, Charles V, the political and religious changes at the time, and have a wealth of information for your notes.
You can access the videos from the link below, you will need access to YouTube to view.
- Crash Course European History - The Protestant Reformation Links to an external site.
- Crash Course World History - Luther and the Protestant Reformation Links to an external site.
- Crash Course World History - Charles V and the Holy Roman Empire Links to an external site.
Review what you've learned in the activity below.
In your notes, respond to the following questions.
- What problems existed within the Church that thinkers such as Erasmus and Luther wished to address? Why?
[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION
ERASMUS PORTRAIT BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
JOHN CALVIN PORTRAIT COURTESY OF MUSEUM CATHARIJNE CONVENT, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS