Chapter 12:

The Renaissance &

Reformation

The Reformation
 The Protestant Reformation
Main Ideas
• The major goal of humanism in
northern Europe was to reform
Christendom. ⇓
• Martin Luther’s religious reforms
led to the emergence of
Protestantism. ⇓
“I do not accept the authority of popes and councils… my
conscience is captive to the word of God. …Here I stand and
I can not do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”
– Martin Luther April 18th , 1521
 The Protestant Reformation
• Christian humanists believed in the
ability of human beings to reason and
improve themselves.
themselves ⇓
• They wanted to reform the Catholic
Church. ⇓
• This reform would occur through
developing inner piety,
piety or religious
feeling, based on studying the works
of Christianity – not rules & rituals.
rituals
 Erasmus and Christian Humanism
• The best known Christian humanist
was Desiderius Erasmus. ⇓

• He developed what he called

“the philosophy of Christ,”
meant to show people how to
live good lives on a daily basis
rather than how to achieve
salvation. ⇓
 “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.”
He did not wish to break from the church,
just reform it.

•In his 1509 work The Praise of Folly,

Folly he especially
criticized the monks.
Background to the Reformation
 Religion on the Eve of the Reformation
• Between 1450 and 1520 a series of popes
failed to meet the Church’s spiritual
needs. ⇓
• They were more concerned with the
political interests of the Papal States. ⇓
• Julius II,
II the “warrior-pope,” even led
armies against his enemies. ⇓
• Many people were disgusted with him and
the Catholic Church.
Church Corruption
 Religion on the Eve of the Reformation
• Church officials seemed ignorant of their
spiritual duties, especially instructing the
faithful on achieving: salvation –
acceptance into Heaven. ⇓
• As a result, obtaining salvation became
almost mechanical; by collecting relics, for
example. ⇓
• Venerating a saint could gain an
indulgence–release
indulgence from all or part
of punishment for sin–according to the
Church of the time.
Indulgences
 Johann Tetzel’s Slogan:

“As soon as the coin in

the coffer rings, the
soul from purgatory
springs!”
 Martin
Luther
-
Germany
 95 Theses:
Posted them to
the door
Reform topics
for debate