The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 when Martin Luther publicly challenged certain Catholic Church doctrines and practices. He was troubled by the Church selling indulgences to lessen time in purgatory and believed salvation came through faith alone, not works. Henry VIII later formed the Church of England in 1534 when the Pope refused to annul his marriage. John Calvin furthered the Reformation by believing in predestination and advocating for a life without sin. The Reformation ultimately led to the formation of new Protestant denominations like Lutherans, Puritans, Baptists, Presbyterians, and others.

1. The Protestant Reformation
Everything you need to know

2. The Catholic Church, short history.
-When it started depends on who you talk to.
-It was legalised by the Roman Empire in 313 and adopted as
the official religion of the Roman Empire in 383. It split
with the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1056.
-In Western Europe, it was the only Church for about 1200
years. From 313 to 1517, anyone
living in Western Europe was
either Catholic or non-Christian.

3. Catholic Beliefs in 1517.
Salvation comes through following Jesus, which means
accepting the authority of the Church and Pope.
Should you sin, you must repent, a process that involves
confession and performing an act of penance, as prescribed
by as priest.
Once the priest forgives you, you are forgiven and can go on
with your life.

4. Indulgences
Catholics believe in Heaven (good), Hell (bad), and Purgatory
(somewhere in between). Purgatory is for those who died with
minor sins on their record to be purified before entering heaven.
To lessen your time (or a loved one's time) in Purgatory, you could
receive an indulgence. These were supposed to be given in return
for some service to the Church or Christianity (feeding the poor,
defending a church from attack, etc.)
The Bishop in Wittenburg, Germany, however, was selling them. A
former monk named Martin Luther had an issue with this.

5. Martin Luther
Believed that salvation comes from God's grace alone, and
not anything you do or that a priest does for you. Also
believed that Catholic practices and teachings contradicted
the Bible. Challenged the Church to a debate in 1517.
The Church didn't debate him, but did give him the
opportunity to confess the sin of criticizing the Church.
So, he broke off from the Catholic Church and formed his
own, which became known as the Lutheran Church.

6. King Henry VIII (The Eighth) of
England.
-Asked the Pope for permission to divorce his first wife
after the only child of hers that survived infancy was a
girl. He needed a boy to ensure the survival of his
dynasty.
-The Pope refused, so in 1534, Parliament made Henry the
head of the Church of England and he promptly gave
himself a divorce. This church is known as the Anglican
or Episcopal Church. In later years, a group called the
Methodists broke off from the Anglican Church.

7. John Calvin (1530s and 1540s)
A Swiss thinker who agreed with Luther about salvation
coming from God's grace alone. But he also believed in
"Predestination" or the idea that God's already decided
who's saved and who's not.
To find out if you were on the "good list," you had to live
a life free of sin, impurity and "earthly pleasures" and
await the “inner calling of the Holy Spirit.”
If it never came……..

9. From John Calvin we get...
Puritans - Church of England members who wanted to "purify" or cleanse the
Church of England of all the Catholic ceremonies and such.
Separatists - What you know as the Thanksgiving “Pilgrims”
Presbyterians - who were predominantly Scottish.
Dutch Reformed - The Netherlands.
Huguenots - France.
Baptists - who separated from the Puritans once they came to America over the
issue of free will and infant baptism.