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