Protestant Reformation

Another Schism in the Christian Church

Background

• Christianity contributed to the Fall of the Roman Empire

• Catholic Church dominated & unified Europe after 476 C.E.

• A schism between the East & West occurred in 1054, creating the Eastern Orthodox & Roman Catholic Churches

Middle Ages

• Catholic Church operated as a political power, the Pope in Rome could call all Europeans while kings only controlled their kingdom

• Crusades proved the power of the Church but also gave rise to nation-states

Problems

• “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” Lord Acton

• The Papacy & leaders of the Catholic Church became greedy & corrupt, sale of indulgences, children out of wedlock, etc.

• Church = $, not salvation

Knowledge is Power

• Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis at the Wittenberg Cathedral Oct. 31, 1517 so everyone would see it

• Thesis=Salvation through faith alone, no saints, pope, or sacraments needed, REVOLUTIONARY

• People could interpret the Bible & should have access to it

Technology Helped

• Gutenberg developed movable type

• 1st book printed was the Bible• Weakened the Church

because they lost control & credibility once Luther’s ideas spread throughout Europe

• Took root in Northern & Western Europe, far from Rome

Legacy

• New Christian religions sprang up & spread throughout Europe & the world

• Counter Reformation-Church reformed to end abuses & clarify doctrine

• Exploration became a religious endeavor to convert new people

• War-ripped apart Europe & also spread throughout the world