The Protestant Reformation

Religion in America

Martin Luther

            Protest against abuses of the Church

            1517: the 95 Theses

            Basic principles of Protestantism

            Sola fide: by faith alone (Paul’s Epistle to the Romans)

            Sola scriptura: Bible alone

             Need for translation into common languages

            Priesthood of all believers

            End of celibate priesthood

            Sacraments reduced from seven to two

Reformation spreads

            Church reaction: excommunication, 1521

            Luther’s support spreads throughout Europe, esp. Germany and Scandinavia

The English Reformation

            Henry VIII of England: “defensor fide”

            Catherine of Aragon and Mary

            Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth, 1533

            Monastic orders abolished, lands seized, 1535-1539

            Edward VI, 1547-1553

            Protestantism firmly established

            Mary: Making England Catholic again

            Repression and “martyrdom”

 

In Geneva

            English Protestants to Continent

            John Calvin & the goal of a “godly society”

            Calvinism

            Sovereignty of God & rigorous obedience to Bible

            Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion

             Predestination: “TULIP

            Army of the saints: activism in this world

            Suppression of evil and vice a duty to God

            Disobedience to ungodly ruler a duty to God

            Iconoclasm: Destroy “idols,” favor Word & worship

 

 

 

 

Catholic Counterreformation

            Counterattack on Protestant defections

            St. Ignatius Loyola: Society of Jesus (Jesuits), 1534

            Council of Trent, 1545-1563

            Defining Catholic belief

             Faith and works cooperate in salvation

             Religious truth in both the Bible and tradition

            Reining in excess, abuses, images, etc.

            Anti-Calvinism: Optimistic view of human abilities

            Anti-Calvinism: Emphasis on religious art & music

 

 

The “Five Points” of Calvinism

            Total depravity

            Adam and Original Sin

            Unconditional election

            Grace saves without any preconditions

            Limited atonement

            Christ died for the “elect”

            Irresistible grace

            Perseverance of the saints