The Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther’s protest over abuses in the Catholic church
led to the founding of Protestant churches.
Causes of the Reformation
● 100 Years War and Black Death
● Scientific Advances which contradicted the Church
● The Corruption within the Catholic Church
What was the Protestant Reformation?
● Prior to the Reformation all Christians were Roman Catholic
● The [REFORM]ation was an attempt to REFORM the Catholic Church
● People like Martin Luther wanted to get rid of the corruption and
restore the people's’ faith in the church.
What was the Protestant Reformation?
● In the end the reformers, like Luther, established their own religions.
● The Reformation caused a split in Christianity with the formation of
these new Protestant religions.
What was the Protestant Reformation?
Christianity
Catholic Protestant
The Reformers
● Martin Luther
● John Calvin
● Henry VIII
Martin Luther
● Lived from 1483-1546 in Germany
● Father encouraged him to study law
● A sudden religious experience inspired him to become a monk
Martin Luther
● He became troubled over the possibility of not going to heaven
● He turned to the Bible, and confessin for comfort
● In the Bible he found the answer he was looking for
Romans 1:17
“The righteous shall by his faith”
Luther realized that only faith (in the ultimate goodness of Jesus), not good deeds,
could save a person. No good works, rituals, etc. would save a person if they did
not believe.
Luther’s 95 Theses
● A list of things he thought were wrong with the
Catholic Church (95 Complaints)
● He criticized:
○ The Power of the Pope
○ The Extreme Wealth of the Church
○ Indulgences (Catholic concept of Salvation)
Luther’s 95 Theses
● Gutenberg’s Printing Press made it
possible for Luther to spread his beliefs.
● Posted his 95 Theses on Church doors
in Germany
● Gained support from people and
criticism from Church
The first thing printed on Gutenberg’s press
was the Bible.
This is a picture of a page from one of
Gutenberg’s Bibles.
Acceptance of Reforms
● Some local German churches accepted Luther’s ideas
● Supported by German Princes who issued a formal “protest” against
the Church for suppressing the reforms.
● The reformers came to be known as [PROTEST]ants - Protestants
Church’s Reaction
● Want Martin Luther to recant (take back) what he said @ Diet of Worms
● Diet - group/assembly
● Worms is a place in Germany
Luther says NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen." ("Here I stand. I
can do nothing else. God help me. Amen.")
He is excommunicated from church and forced into hiding for the rest of
his life
What is the result of Luther’s actions?
Opened people’s eyes to corruption of the church
● soon others began to create new churches away from the Roman
Catholic Church based on own beliefs– ex John Calvin-- Calvinism
○ Ex. Protestant, Lutheran, Baptists, Puritans, Methodists, Calvinists,
and so on.
Calvinism
● Started in Switzerland - Calvinists
● England - Puritans
● Scotland - Presbyterians
● Holland - Dutch Reform
● France - Huguenots
● Germany - Reform Church
Christianity
Catholic Protestant
Lutheran Calvinism
Huguenots Puritan Presbyterian
John Calvin - Calvinism
● French lawyer - moved to religious community
in Geneva, Switzerland
● “Faith Alone” saves you
● The Bible holds the truth
● Religious Education
● PREDESTINATION - God has already decided
who is saved/condemned.
Calvinism
● Spreads to France, Germany,
Netherlands, Scandinavia,
Scotland
● Dutch Reformed
● Scottish Presbyterians,
American Baptists, Puritans,
from this branch.
Henry VIII of England
● Wished to divorce Catherine of Aragon and
marry Anne Boleyn
● Pope refused to grant it
● Henry declared himself head of the Church of
England in the “Act of Supremacy” 1534
● In America we call this the Anglican Church
Act of Supremacy - 1534
The King is head of the church in
England, not the Pope!!
