Reformation and Religious Warfare in the 16th

Century
02/09/2013
Chapter 13-1 Prelude to Reformation
Christian or Northern Renaissance Humanism
o Martin Luthers reform movement was not the first.
o Second half of the 15th century, the new Classical learning was part of the
Italian Renaissance humanism spread to northern Europe and spawned a
movement called Christian or northern Renaissance humanism.
o Northern humanist cultivated a knowledge of the classics, the
bond that united all humanists into a kind of international
fellowships.
o Focused on the sources of early Christianity, the Holy Scriptures
and the writings of such church as Augustine, Ambrose, and
Jerome.
DERSIDERIUS ERASMUS (1466-1536)
Formulated and popularized the reform program of Christian
humanism
Born in Holland
Spoke classical Latin
The Handbook of the Christian Knight printed in 1503, reflected
the preoccupation with religion.
Reform in the church meant spreading an understanding of the
philosophy of Jesus, providing education in the sources of early
Christianity.
Emphasized inner piety and de-emphasized the external forms of
religions fasting, sacraments, pilgrimages, veneration of saints
and relics
Understand the original meaning of the Scriptures and the writing
of the early church fathers.
The Praise of Folly written in 1509.
THOMAS MORE (1478-1535)
Trained in law
Took interest in classical learning
Proficient in both Latin and Greek
Utopia written in 1516

Church and Religion on the Eve of the Reformation

Corruption in the Catholic Church
Pluralism the practice of holding several church offices
simultaneously; a problem of the late medieval church.
The Search for Salvation
Indulgences remission, after death, of all or part of the
punishment for sin.
Modern devotion religious dogma and stressed the need to follow
the teaching of Jesus
Thomas a Kempis author of The Imitation of Christ
Calls for Reform
The Oratory of Divine Love, organized in Italy in 1497
o Was not a religious order but an informal group of clergy and
laymen who worked to foster reform by emphasizing personal
spiritual development and outward acts of charity.
13-2 The Early Luther

Martin Luther was born in Germany on November 10 th, 1483

Wanted to become to lawyer, enrolled at the University of Erfurt
Received his bachelors degree in 1502
After he survived a thunderstorm he kept his promise and became a
monk
Entered the monastic order of Augustinian Hermits in Erfurt
Struggled with the tradition of penance or confession
Hated indulgences
The Ninety-Five Theses
Excommunicated by the church Jan. 1521

The Quickening Rebellion

Leipzig Debate in July 1519

Luthers Catholic theologian opponent Johann Eck told Luther to
move beyond indulgences and deny the authority of popes and
councils

Lutheranism vs. Zwinglianism

Abolished indulgence
and the veneration of
Jesus Christ
Believed in the Lords
supper contained the
spiritual presence of
Jesus
No music during the
Lords Supper
celebrations
Believed the Lords
Supper was only
symbolic, no divine
presence
Rejected the authority
of the pope

Lutheranism
Yes

Zwnglianism
Yes

Yes to believe

Did not believe

Yes to music

No to music

Did not believe

Believe

Rejected

Rejected