The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 when Martin Luther wrote his 95 Theses criticizing the Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences. Luther studied the Bible and concluded that faith alone, not good works or sacraments like confession, were necessary for salvation. When the pope excommunicated Luther in 1521, many German princes adopted Lutheranism, seeing it as a way to assert independence from the Catholic Church and Holy Roman Empire. Luther's writings spread his message of reform and Protestantism took hold across Germany and Scandinavia, though Luther himself struggled with the Peasants' War and maintaining control over the growing movement.

1. The Protestant ReformationThe Protestant Reformation

2. The Church before the ReformationThe Church before the Reformation
 Heavily criticized by Northern HumanistsHeavily criticized by Northern Humanists
and Mystics for its worldliness, wealth, andand Mystics for its worldliness, wealth, and
political powerpolitical power
 See ErasmusSee Erasmus

3. Early LutherEarly Luther
 As a law student, Luther wasAs a law student, Luther was
once caught outside in aonce caught outside in a
horrible storm. He prayedhorrible storm. He prayed
that if he would only survive,that if he would only survive,
he’d dedicate the rest of hishe’d dedicate the rest of his
life to the service of God.life to the service of God.

4. Early LutherEarly Luther
 Luther struggled with the sacraments,Luther struggled with the sacraments,
especially penance and confession.especially penance and confession.
 He was constantly worried that he wasn’tHe was constantly worried that he wasn’t
confessing all of his sinsconfessing all of his sins
 ““The more I tried to remedy the anThe more I tried to remedy the an
uncertain, weak and troubled conscienceuncertain, weak and troubled conscience
with human traditions, the more daily Iwith human traditions, the more daily I
found it more uncertain, weak and morefound it more uncertain, weak and more
troubled.”troubled.”

5. Early LutherEarly Luther
 Luther studied the Bible to find a solutionLuther studied the Bible to find a solution
to his problemsto his problems
 He decided the Bible, which makes noHe decided the Bible, which makes no
mention of confession was the ultimatemention of confession was the ultimate
authority in all religious mattersauthority in all religious matters
 All that is needed for salvation is faithAll that is needed for salvation is faith

6. IndulgencesIndulgences
 In 1517 Pope Leo X sent Johann Tetzel toIn 1517 Pope Leo X sent Johann Tetzel to
Bavaria to sell indulgencesBavaria to sell indulgences
“As soon as the
coin in the coffer
rings, the soul
from purgatory
springs.” ~Tetzel’s
sales pitch

7. IndulgencesIndulgences
 Luther becomes veryLuther becomes very
distraught that peopledistraught that people
believed a piece of paperbelieved a piece of paper
could guarantee salvationcould guarantee salvation
 Luther writes 95 ThesesLuther writes 95 Theses
(1517)(1517)
 Pope Leo X isn’t worriedPope Leo X isn’t worried

9. IndulgencesIndulgences
 July, 1519: Johann Eck challenges LutherJuly, 1519: Johann Eck challenges Luther
to a debateto a debate
 Gets Luther to publicly deny the power ofGets Luther to publicly deny the power of
the pope and church councilsthe pope and church councils

10. Luther’s Other publicationsLuther’s Other publications
 1520:1520:
Address to the nobility of the German NationAddress to the nobility of the German Nation
Calls on German princes to overthrow theCalls on German princes to overthrow the
papacy in Germanypapacy in Germany
 The Babylonian Captivity of the ChurchThe Babylonian Captivity of the Church
Attacked the sacramental system that theAttacked the sacramental system that the
pope used to hold Catholics prisonerpope used to hold Catholics prisoner
 On The Freedom of Christian ManOn The Freedom of Christian Man
Faith is more important than good worksFaith is more important than good works

11. ““Good works do not make aGood works do not make a
good man, but a good mangood man, but a good man
does good works.”does good works.”

12. Trouble for LutherTrouble for Luther
 Charles V calls Luther before the Diet ofCharles V calls Luther before the Diet of
WormsWorms

13. Luther says,Luther says, “ Unless I am convicted by“ Unless I am convicted by
Scripture and plain reason – I do not acceptScripture and plain reason – I do not accept
the authority of popes or councils, for theythe authority of popes or councils, for they
have contradicted each other- my conscience ishave contradicted each other- my conscience is
captive to the will of God. I cannot and Icaptive to the will of God. I cannot and I
will not recant anything, for to go againstwill not recant anything, for to go against
conscience is neither right nor safe. Here Iconscience is neither right nor safe. Here I
stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me.stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me.
Amen.”Amen.”

14.  Charles V retorts, “…aCharles V retorts, “…a
single friar who goessingle friar who goes
counter to all Christianitycounter to all Christianity
for a thousand years mustfor a thousand years must
be wrong.”be wrong.”
 Charles V has Luther’sCharles V has Luther’s
books burned, exiles himbooks burned, exiles him
and declares him anand declares him an
outlawoutlaw

15. The Spread of LutheranismThe Spread of Lutheranism
 Luther returns to Electoral Saxony in 1522Luther returns to Electoral Saxony in 1522
and begins creating a reformed churchand begins creating a reformed church
 Preached evangelical sermons based onPreached evangelical sermons based on
a return to the original ideas of the Biblea return to the original ideas of the Bible
 Spread pamphlets that portrayed the popeSpread pamphlets that portrayed the pope
as a hideous Antichristas a hideous Antichrist
 One was titled, “I wonder why there is noOne was titled, “I wonder why there is no
money in the Land.”money in the Land.”

16. Lutheranism SpreadsLutheranism Spreads
Germanic princes champion Luther’sGermanic princes champion Luther’s
cause.cause.
Luther believes the church should beLuther believes the church should be
under state controlunder state control
Princes are happy to break away fromPrinces are happy to break away from
the Papacy and the controlling grasp ofthe Papacy and the controlling grasp of
the Holy Roman Empirethe Holy Roman Empire

17. Challenges to LutheranismChallenges to Lutheranism
At first many reformers support LutherAt first many reformers support Luther
When it becomes evident that hisWhen it becomes evident that his
reforms may split the Christian world,reforms may split the Christian world,
even Erasmus break with himeven Erasmus break with him

18. Challenges to LutheranismChallenges to Lutheranism
The Peasants WarThe Peasants War
Peasants figures that if LutheranismPeasants figures that if Lutheranism
supported princes breaking free fromsupported princes breaking free from
papal control, it would also support theirpapal control, it would also support their
efforts to free themselves from theefforts to free themselves from the
princes.princes.
Revolt erupts in 1524 and quicklyRevolt erupts in 1524 and quickly
spreads through Germanyspreads through Germany

19. Challenges to LutheranismChallenges to Lutheranism
 Luther loses “street cred”Luther loses “street cred”
He writes,He writes,
Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of PeaAgainst the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Pea
Urges princes to “smite, slay, and stab” theUrges princes to “smite, slay, and stab” the
revolting peasantsrevolting peasants
Believes princes get the power to rule fromBelieves princes get the power to rule from
God, and therefore had to put down rebellionsGod, and therefore had to put down rebellions
Luther finds himself dependent on protectionLuther finds himself dependent on protection
from Protestant princesfrom Protestant princes

20. Luther’s main ideasLuther’s main ideas
 Faith, not good works is key to salvationFaith, not good works is key to salvation
 Only sacraments listed in the Bible areOnly sacraments listed in the Bible are
legit (Baptism and communion)legit (Baptism and communion)
 Argues against transubstantiation in favorArgues against transubstantiation in favor
of consubstantiationof consubstantiation
 Bible is ultimate religious authority, ergoBible is ultimate religious authority, ergo
should be printed in vernacularshould be printed in vernacular

21. If Christians could read the BibleIf Christians could read the Bible
themselves, they could be their ownthemselves, they could be their own
priests. (priesthood of all believers)priests. (priesthood of all believers)
Looked to political leaders to organizeLooked to political leaders to organize
worship in their statesworship in their states
Worship servicesWorship services
Lutheran churches in Germany andLutheran churches in Germany and
Scandinavia quickly became territorialScandinavia quickly became territorial
or state churches in which the stateor state churches in which the state
disciplined church membersdisciplined church members

22.  Masses were replaced by worshipMasses were replaced by worship
services focusing on Bible readings in theservices focusing on Bible readings in the
vernacularvernacular
 Priests were allowed to marry, and LutherPriests were allowed to marry, and Luther
married a former nun, Katherina von Boramarried a former nun, Katherina von Bora
in 1525in 1525
His marriage became a model forHis marriage became a model for
Protestant ministersProtestant ministers

23. Religion and PoliticsReligion and Politics
 Charles V struggles to maintain control overCharles V struggles to maintain control over
his empire and preserve the unity of thehis empire and preserve the unity of the
Catholic faithCatholic faith
 Problems (We’ll come back to this later!)Problems (We’ll come back to this later!)
The French (hope to gain territory andThe French (hope to gain territory and
power)power)
The papacy (weak and corrupt)The papacy (weak and corrupt)
The Turks (growing in power to his south)The Turks (growing in power to his south)
Lutheranism (fragmenting his empire)Lutheranism (fragmenting his empire)

24. Other forms of ProtestantismOther forms of Protestantism
 The Zwinglian ReformationThe Zwinglian Reformation
 The AnabaptistsThe Anabaptists
 Reformation in EnglandReformation in England
 CalvinismCalvinism

25. Ulrich ZwingliUlrich Zwingli
 Also looked to the state to supervise theAlso looked to the state to supervise the
church, “A church without a magistrate ischurch, “A church without a magistrate is
mutilated and incomplete.”mutilated and incomplete.”
 Relics and images were abolishedRelics and images were abolished
 All paintings and decorations removedAll paintings and decorations removed
from the church, walls painted whitefrom the church, walls painted white
 Monasticism, pilgrimages, veneration ofMonasticism, pilgrimages, veneration of
saints and clerical celibacy all bannedsaints and clerical celibacy all banned

26.  Looked at the scripture depicting the LastLooked at the scripture depicting the Last
Supper, “This is my body. This is mySupper, “This is my body. This is my
blood” as being purely symbolicblood” as being purely symbolic
 Communion taken as a meal ofCommunion taken as a meal of
remembrance onlyremembrance only

27. The end of ZwingliThe end of Zwingli
 War erupts in Zurich in 1531, a prelude toWar erupts in Zurich in 1531, a prelude to
the religious wars of the late 16the religious wars of the late 16thth
centurycentury
 Zwingli found dead on the battle fieldZwingli found dead on the battle field
 Luther angry about earlier confrontationsLuther angry about earlier confrontations
about faith remarked that he, “got what heabout faith remarked that he, “got what he
deserved.”deserved.”

28. Anabaptists: Radical ReformersAnabaptists: Radical Reformers
 IdeasIdeas
Christian Church = voluntary association ofChristian Church = voluntary association of
believers who have been reborn throughbelievers who have been reborn through
baptismbaptism
Baptism is for adults, not infantsBaptism is for adults, not infants
Elected ministersElected ministers
Communion = remembrance, held in privateCommunion = remembrance, held in private
homeshomes
Complete separation of Church and stateComplete separation of Church and state
Refused to hold political office or bear armsRefused to hold political office or bear arms

29. Anabaptists: Radical ReformersAnabaptists: Radical Reformers
 Different BranchesDifferent Branches
Swiss Brethren: Zurich SwitzerlandSwiss Brethren: Zurich Switzerland
Expelled for religious practicesExpelled for religious practices
Process of rebaptizing adults broke RomanProcess of rebaptizing adults broke Roman
LawLaw
Severe persecution in Germany, Austria,Severe persecution in Germany, Austria,
Switzerland, and Poland, especially afterSwitzerland, and Poland, especially after
the Peasants War of 1524the Peasants War of 1524

30. Anabaptists: Radical ReformersAnabaptists: Radical Reformers
 Munster: became a safe havenMunster: became a safe haven
 Melochiorites practicedMelochiorites practiced millenarianismmillenarianism
Gained control of Munster by 1534Gained control of Munster by 1534
under John Leidenunder John Leiden
Began to prepare for the second comingBegan to prepare for the second coming
Drove out godless and unbelieversDrove out godless and unbelievers
Burned all books except the BibleBurned all books except the Bible
proclaimed all property communalproclaimed all property communal

31. Anabaptists: Radical ReformersAnabaptists: Radical Reformers
City recapturedCity recaptured
by Catholics andby Catholics and
Lutherans inLutherans in
1535, executed1535, executed
AnabaptistAnabaptist
leadersleaders

32. Anabaptists: Radical ReformersAnabaptists: Radical Reformers
 Mennonites: FollowersMennonites: Followers
of Menno Simonsof Menno Simons
Strict pacifismStrict pacifism
Strict literal adherence toStrict literal adherence to
the Biblethe Bible
Relocated to NorthRelocated to North
America where manyAmerica where many
Mennonite societies,Mennonite societies,
including the Amish liveincluding the Amish live
todaytoday

33. England: Political ReformEngland: Political Reform
 Henry VIIIHenry VIII
Wants to divorce Catherine of Aragon to wedWants to divorce Catherine of Aragon to wed
Anne BoleynAnne Boleyn
Asks Cardinal Wolsey to obtain annulmentAsks Cardinal Wolsey to obtain annulment
from Pope Clement IIfrom Pope Clement II
Pope, beholden to Charles V, Catherine'sPope, beholden to Charles V, Catherine's
cousin, refusescousin, refuses
Henry dismisses WolseyHenry dismisses Wolsey

34. England: Political ReformEngland: Political Reform
Thomas Cramner advised Henry VIII to seekThomas Cramner advised Henry VIII to seek
annulment in England’s ecclesiastical courtsannulment in England’s ecclesiastical courts
1534: passes1534: passes Act of SupremacyAct of Supremacy king head ofking head of
ChurchChurch
Treason ActTreason Act made it treason to question themade it treason to question the
king’s role as head of Churchking’s role as head of Church
New Church= Catholic LightNew Church= Catholic Light

35. England: Political ReformEngland: Political Reform
 The New Order: The Anglican ChurchThe New Order: The Anglican Church
Dissolved monasteries, Crown sold land = $Dissolved monasteries, Crown sold land = $
Church services and structure very RomanChurch services and structure very Roman
Some priests married in secretSome priests married in secret

36. The many wives…The many wives…
Catherine of Aragon:
Divorced
Anne Boelyn:
Beheaded
Jane Seymour:
Died in childbirth
Anne of Cleves:
Divorced
Catherine Howard:
Beheaded
Catherine Parr:
Mother of Edward VI,
outlives Henry VIII

37. England: Political ReformEngland: Political Reform
 Edward VI (1547-1553)Edward VI (1547-1553)
Inherits throne at 9Inherits throne at 9
Heavily influenced byHeavily influenced by
ProtestantsProtestants
Clergy gain right to marryClergy gain right to marry
Icons removed fromIcons removed from
churchchurch
New prayer bookNew prayer book Book ofBook of
Common PrayerCommon Prayer

38. England: Political ReformEngland: Political Reform
 Bloody Mary: ReactionaryBloody Mary: Reactionary
Catholicism (1553-1558)Catholicism (1553-1558)
Intended to restore CatholicIntended to restore Catholic
ChurchChurch
Unfortunate marriage to Philip IIUnfortunate marriage to Philip II
of Spainof Spain
Burned 300 Protestants at theBurned 300 Protestants at the
stakestake
If anything, made England moreIf anything, made England more
protestantprotestant

40. England: Political ReformEngland: Political Reform
 Elizabeth I: ModerationElizabeth I: Moderation
and Compromiseand Compromise
Reinstituted Act ofReinstituted Act of
SupremacySupremacy
Act of UniformityAct of Uniformity
restored therestored the Book ofBook of
Common PrayerCommon Prayer
Tried to maintainTried to maintain
balance betweenbalance between
religious groupsreligious groups

41. John Calvin and CalvinismJohn Calvin and Calvinism
 Heavily influenced by LutherHeavily influenced by Luther
 Most zealous of all reformersMost zealous of all reformers
He has at once for all
determined, both whom he would
admit to salvation, and whom he
would denounce for destruction.

42. Calvin’s IdeasCalvin’s Ideas
 Very similar to LutherVery similar to Luther
 Absolute sovereignty of God ~ everAbsolute sovereignty of God ~ ever
vigilant and engaged in continual ordervigilant and engaged in continual order
 PredestinationPredestination
 ConsubstantiationConsubstantiation
 Church is a divine institutionChurch is a divine institution

43. PredestinationPredestination
 A person belongs to the elect if…A person belongs to the elect if…
They make open proclamations of faithThey make open proclamations of faith
They lead a decent and godly lifeThey lead a decent and godly life
They participate in baptism and communionThey participate in baptism and communion
Of course, even Calvin said there are noOf course, even Calvin said there are no
guarantees!guarantees!
Some have the unshakeable conviction they’reSome have the unshakeable conviction they’re
always right. Hubris?always right. Hubris?

44. Geneva, the model societyGeneva, the model society
 Calvin governs from 1536-1564Calvin governs from 1536-1564
 1541 new church constitution1541 new church constitution
“Ecclesiastical Ordinances” create“Ecclesiastical Ordinances” create
TheocracyTheocracy
 ConsistoryConsistory moral police very strict lawsmoral police very strict laws
againstagainst

45. Geneva, the model societyGeneva, the model society
 Becomes center of theBecomes center of the
Protestant worldProtestant world
 John Knox calls it “TheJohn Knox calls it “The
most perfect school ofmost perfect school of
Christ on Earth.”Christ on Earth.”
 Trained missionaries toTrained missionaries to
spread Calvinismspread Calvinism 
Calvinism becomesCalvinism becomes
dominant Protestantdominant Protestant
religionreligion

46. Social ImpactSocial Impact
 Family and marriageFamily and marriage
Luther argued that people should “makeLuther argued that people should “make
sex in marriage to avoid sin”sex in marriage to avoid sin”
Calvin said men should “abstain fromCalvin said men should “abstain from
marriage only as long as he is fit tomarriage only as long as he is fit to
observe celibacyobserve celibacy
Greater emphasis on love in marriageGreater emphasis on love in marriage
Women’s roles limited to obeyingWomen’s roles limited to obeying
husband and bearing childrenhusband and bearing children

47. Social ImpactSocial Impact
 EducationEducation
Formal schools, mostly for wealthy boysFormal schools, mostly for wealthy boys
Increased literacyIncreased literacy
Introduced physical and art educationIntroduced physical and art education

48. Social ImpactSocial Impact
 Religious practiceReligious practice
Did away with saints days and carnivalDid away with saints days and carnival
Banned drinking, dancing, and otherBanned drinking, dancing, and other
forms of entertainmentforms of entertainment

49. Thoughts…Thoughts…
 How does the Reformation change life inHow does the Reformation change life in
Europe?Europe?
 How are the different forms ofHow are the different forms of
Protestantism similar?Protestantism similar?
 How do the Protestant faiths differ?How do the Protestant faiths differ?
 Who do you think benefited most from theWho do you think benefited most from the
Reformation?Reformation?