Reformacion

Study Guide

The Reformations 1500–1600
Calls for church reform to end abuses and give lay authorities more power set the stage for Reformations
* Sale of indulgences (in which anxiousindividuals pay church money in hopes of spending less time in purgatory after death) comes under attack
* Corrupt, immoral popes, bishops, priests tarnish church image
Protestant Reformation:German priest Martin Luther challenges church doctrine, rejects pope as head of Christian Church
* Argues against monastic life; believes that faith alone leads to salvation (not good works, notindulgences)
* Acknowledges two holy sacraments rather than seven
* Promotes personal religion, individual Bible study, Bible and Mass in vernacular (not Latin)
* 1517: Luther posts hisninety-five theses (complaints about church’s sale of indulgences) on door of church at Wittenberg
* 1521: Pope excommunicates Luther; H.R.E. Charles V signs Edict of Worms condemning Luther’sideas; church reform becomes political issue that divides German princes
* 1530:Augsburg Confession makes Luther’s break with church permanent, founds Lutheran Church
Protestant movement spreadspiecemeal through Holy Roman Empire’s individual states and cities
* Urban reformers, pamphlets, preachers spread Luther’s ideas
* Crowds attack churches; wars distract Charles V fromresisting Reformation actively
* Radical reformers in the Holy Roman Empire splinter into Anabaptists, Mennonites, Anti-Trinitarians

1522:Ulrich Zwingli leads Reformation in Switzerland based onliteral reading of scripture
John Calvin (French, 1509–1564) believes salvation comes only through predestination but also that living a strictly godly life is a sign of being chosen to be saved* 1540s: Calvin leads moral reform in Geneva, Switzerland, haven for persecuted Protestants
* Calvinism spreads to Netherlands, France

1555:Peace of Augsburg lets German princes decide...