The Protestant Reformation

1. The ProtestantThe Protestant
ReformationReformation
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3. Essential QuestionsEssential Questions
 How did abuses in the Church sparkHow did abuses in the Church spark
widespread criticism?widespread criticism?
 How did Martin Luther challenge CatholicHow did Martin Luther challenge Catholic
authority and teachings?authority and teachings?
 What role did John Calvin play in theWhat role did John Calvin play in the
Reformation?Reformation?

4. The Protestant ReformationThe Protestant Reformation
 In the 1500s, calls for reform unleashed forcesIn the 1500s, calls for reform unleashed forces
that would shatter Christian unity. Thethat would shatter Christian unity. The
movement is known as the Protestantmovement is known as the Protestant
Reformation.Reformation.
 People who joined the movement for reformPeople who joined the movement for reform
called themselves Protestants, for those whocalled themselves Protestants, for those who
“protested” papal authority.“protested” papal authority.

5. Abuses in the Catholic ChurchAbuses in the Catholic Church
 Beginning in the late Middle Ages, the Church had
become increasingly caught up in worldly affairs.
– Popes competed with Italian princes for politicalPopes competed with Italian princes for political
power.power.
– Popes fought long wars to protect the Papal StatesPopes fought long wars to protect the Papal States
against invaders.against invaders.
– Some clergy promoted the sale ofSome clergy promoted the sale of indulgencesindulgences..
– Popes led lavish lifestyles and spent a great deal ofPopes led lavish lifestyles and spent a great deal of
money on the arts.money on the arts.
– The Church increased fees for services such asThe Church increased fees for services such as
weddings and baptisms to finance worldly projects.weddings and baptisms to finance worldly projects.

6. The Teachings of Martin LutherThe Teachings of Martin Luther
 Salvation is achieved through faith alone.Salvation is achieved through faith alone.
 Luther rejected Church doctrine that good deeds wereLuther rejected Church doctrine that good deeds were
necessary for salvation.necessary for salvation.
 The Bible is the sole source of religious truth.The Bible is the sole source of religious truth.
 Luther denied other authorities, such as ChurchLuther denied other authorities, such as Church
councils or the pope.councils or the pope.
 All Christians have equal access to God through faithAll Christians have equal access to God through faith
and the Bible.and the Bible.
 Luther rejected the idea that priests and ChurchLuther rejected the idea that priests and Church
officials had special powers.officials had special powers.
 His “teachings” became known asHis “teachings” became known as Lutheranism.Lutheranism.

7. Why Did Lutheranism Gain Support?Why Did Lutheranism Gain Support?
 Luther’s ideas spread quickly in northern GermanyLuther’s ideas spread quickly in northern Germany
and Scandinavia.and Scandinavia.
 Many clergy saw Luther’s reforms as the answer toMany clergy saw Luther’s reforms as the answer to
Church corruption.Church corruption.
 German princes hoped to throw off the rule of bothGerman princes hoped to throw off the rule of both
the Church and the Holy Roman emperor.the Church and the Holy Roman emperor.
 Germans supported Luther because of feelings ofGermans supported Luther because of feelings of
national loyalty.national loyalty.
 Peasants hoped that Luther would support social andPeasants hoped that Luther would support social and
economic change.economic change.

8. John CalvinJohn Calvin
 The most important Protestant reformer to follow
Martin Luther was John Calvin.
 Calvin followed most of the teachings of Martin Luther.Calvin followed most of the teachings of Martin Luther.
He also preachedHe also preached predestinationpredestination,, the idea that God hadthe idea that God had
long ago determined who would gain salvation.long ago determined who would gain salvation.
 In 1541, Calvin set up a theocracyIn 1541, Calvin set up a theocracy in Geneva. Ain Geneva. A
theocracytheocracy is a government run by Church leaders.is a government run by Church leaders.
 By the late 1500s, Calvinism had taken root inBy the late 1500s, Calvinism had taken root in
Germany, France, the Netherlands, England, andGermany, France, the Netherlands, England, and
Scotland.Scotland.
 In several of these countries, Calvinists faced oppositionIn several of these countries, Calvinists faced opposition
and persecution from other religious groups.and persecution from other religious groups.

9. John CalvinJohn Calvin
 Calvin believed that salvation was gained through faithCalvin believed that salvation was gained through faith
alone.alone.
 He regarded the Bible as the only source of religiousHe regarded the Bible as the only source of religious
truth.truth.
 He preached predestination, the idea that God hadHe preached predestination, the idea that God had
long ago determined who would gain salvation.long ago determined who would gain salvation.
 To Calvinists, the world was divided into two kinds ofTo Calvinists, the world was divided into two kinds of
people – saints and sinners.people – saints and sinners.
 Calvinists tried to live like saints, believing that onlyCalvinists tried to live like saints, believing that only
those who were saved could live truly Christian lives.those who were saved could live truly Christian lives.

10. Calvin’s GenevaCalvin’s Geneva
 In 1541, Protestants in the city-state of Geneva inIn 1541, Protestants in the city-state of Geneva in
Switzerland asked Calvin to lead their community.Switzerland asked Calvin to lead their community.
 In keeping with his teachings, Calvin set up aIn keeping with his teachings, Calvin set up a
theocracy, or government run by church leaders.theocracy, or government run by church leaders.
 Calvin’s followers in Geneva came to see themselves asCalvin’s followers in Geneva came to see themselves as
new “chosen people” entrusted by God to build a trulynew “chosen people” entrusted by God to build a truly
Christian society.Christian society.
 Calvinists stressed hard work, discipline, thrift,Calvinists stressed hard work, discipline, thrift,
honesty, and morality.honesty, and morality.
 Citizens faced fines or other harsher punishments forCitizens faced fines or other harsher punishments for
offenses such as fighting.offenses such as fighting.

11. Spread of CalvinismSpread of Calvinism
 In Germany, Calvinists faced opposition not onlyIn Germany, Calvinists faced opposition not only
from Catholics, but from Lutherans as well.from Catholics, but from Lutherans as well.
 In France, wars raged between French Calvinists calledIn France, wars raged between French Calvinists called
Huguenots, and Catholics.Huguenots, and Catholics.
 Calvinists in the Netherlands organized the DutchCalvinists in the Netherlands organized the Dutch
Reformed Church.Reformed Church.
 To avoid persecution, “field preachers” gave sermonsTo avoid persecution, “field preachers” gave sermons
in the countryside, away from the eyes of townin the countryside, away from the eyes of town
authorities.authorities.
 In Scotland, a Calvinist preacher named John KnoxIn Scotland, a Calvinist preacher named John Knox
led a religious rebellion. Under Knox, Scottishled a religious rebellion. Under Knox, Scottish
Protestants overthrew their Catholic queen and set upProtestants overthrew their Catholic queen and set up
the Scottish Presbyterian Church.the Scottish Presbyterian Church.