Critics/Reformers of the Catholic Church and Christian Religion: Because some malcontents actually think

they can help people

Peter Waldo

Went through a mid life crisis

- Gave away possessions to the poor Preached about a life of poverty and simplicity Condemned the wealth and luxury of church

leaders Condemned ideas of purgatory and

transubstantiation

Peter Waldo

Responsible for the first vernacular translation of the bible

Lay preaching was an important aspect of the movement

In 1184 he was excommunicated

- in the early 13th century many Waldensians were hunted down and killed

Francis of Assisi

Received a vision in which God told him to “rebuild my church”

- He did not believe it meant a physical church Founded an order of wandering monks that

lived in poverty (mendicant order)

- Asked for official authorization from the Pope in 1210

- How is that different from Waldensians? Never ordained a priest Tried to revise the Catholic church from within

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury,pardon;where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

John Wycliffe

University teacher of theology at Oxford Preached against the clergy

- Did not like the limiting of theological knowledge Focused on the importance of biblical scripture

rather than church teaching

- Translated his own vernacular version of the bible (into English)

Did not believe the Church should have political power

John Wycliffe

Believed in predestination Had a number of supporters among the English

nobility He was imprisoned for a time In 1415 he was declared a heretic (post-

mortem)

- Body was dug up and burned

Jan Hus

Agreed with many of Wycliffe's ideas First “Defenestration of Prague” “Hussite Wars” Promised safe conduct to the Council of

Constance to defend ideas

- Burned at the stake anyway Many areas of Czechoslovakia continued to

follow his teachings after he died (90% non-Catholic)

Jan Hus Video

Martin Luther

Grew up in a poor German peasant family

- Father worked to get him an education Became a Lawyer Later became a Monk

- Liked beating and whipping himself (he was into some weird stuff)

Opinion of the Church changed after a visit to Rome

Oct. 29 1517 he posted his “95 Theses” on the door of a Catholic Church

The 95 Theses reading

Martin Luther

In 1520 the Pope issues a papal bull outlining his arguments against Luther

Defended his ideas at the “Diet of Worms” in 1521

- Confronted the Holy Roman Emperor (Charles V) and Church leaders

- Promised safe conduct (like that helped Hus) Excommunicated and declared an outlaw

Luther Movie

(8-14: Luther sees the corruption in Rome, 31-40: Johann Tetzel/Indulgences/ The 95 Theses, 1:00-1:28: Luther's works burnt, Papal Bull

Exsurge Domine, Diet of Worms, “Kidnapped” by Frederick of Saxony, Rebellion in Luther's

name)

Edict of Worms

For this reason we forbid anyone from this time forward to dare, either by words or by deeds, to receive, defend,

sustain, or favour the said Martin Luther. On the contrary, we want him to be apprehended and punished as a

notorious heretic, as he deserves, to be brought personally before us, or to be securely guarded until those who have

captured him inform us, where upon we will order the appropriate manner of proceeding against the said Luther.

Those who will help in his capture will be rewarded generously for their good work.

Aftermath of Worms

Luther was not arrested Edict was not enforced in Germany

- Many Junkers (German Nobles) supported Luther

- He took the identity of “Junker Jorge” for a while Many arrests of his supporters in the “Low

Countries” (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemborge, etc.)

Peasant Rebellions

Martin Luther's Ideas

Only god has the authority to grant forgiveness for sins

- Indulgences are BS Salvation through faith alone

- Church preached the importance of “good works”

Bible as the only source of religious authority

- Popes and other church traditions were false

Luther's Ideas cont.

Individual interpretation of the bible

- Bibles printed in the vernacular

- Helps lead to literal interpretations of today Many Church ideas are not founded in scripture The Catholic Church has been corrupted by

greed and luxury Priests can marry

The Other Side of Martin Luther

Married a 26 year old when he was 41 Anti-semitic

- Jewish homes should be destroyed

- Synagogues burned

- Money confiscated

- Referred to Jews as “poisonous envenomed worms”

Anabaptists

Ancestors of modern Amish and Mennonite Name literally means “re-baptism”

- They did not use or like the term “anabaptist”

- Refused to accept baptism of infants Forbidden to:

- Serve in the military

- Participate in Civil Government

- Take Oaths

- Persecuted by Catholics and Protestants

John Calvin

French Protestant who broke from the Church around 1530

- Called Calvinism and followers were Calvinists or Hugonaughts

- Reformed, Congregational, and Presbyterian Churches all formed from him

Published many works defending reformation

- Mostly commentaries on the scriptures

Calvin

Believed in Predestination

- Why would people still be good if the outcome is decided? (think-pair-share)

More respect for Mary than many protestants Against Things Like:

- Playing against games of chance (cards, dice)

- Dancing

Erasmus of Rotterdam

Dutch Catholic priest and also a humanist

- Still recognized the pope In favor of religious toleration Criticized some traditional interpretations of

scripture Rejected Martin Luther's emphasis on faith

alone