The
Protestant
Reformation
Luther’s impact
on Western
Civilization
Today’s Goals
• Causes of the Reformation
• Impact of Reformation of Western
Civilization
• Mad (Historical) Skills
The Protestant Reformation
• 16th Century split from Roman Catholic
Church
• initiated by Martin Luther
• Protestant Christian religions emerged
• Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism
emerge
• Other Sects grown from Protestantism
– Methodists, Anabaptists, Hugeonots, Puritans
Long Term Causes
• Social Causes
– Renaissance values of
humanism and secularism
made people question
Church
• Technological Causes
– Guttenberg’s printing press
allowed ideas to spread
• Economic Causes
– Northern European princes Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503)
of the Borgia Family
and merchants resented
Church taxes (tithes)
• Political Causes
– Resented Papacy’s power
within their territories
• Religious Causes
– Avignon Papacy, Babylonian
Captivity, Great Schism
weakened Church
– Corruption of Church officials
• Simony, pluralism, sale of
indulgences
Pope Leo X of the Medici
Family
Sketch of St. Peter’s Basilica by Michelangelo
Wittenberg, Germany
October 1517
The Spark
Martin Luther
• German Catholic Augustinian
Monk
• Major conversion moment
during lightning storm
• Earned doctorate in theology
• Extremely pious, serious
about his own salvation
• Sent to Rome to calm his
despair over his
unworthiness
• Shocked over corruption of
Catholicism in Rome
Portraits of Hans and Margarethe Luther
Luther as an
Augustinian monk
Head of John the
Baptist Relic
The Spark
• Indulgences
– Document which Papacy claimed
would absolve Christians of sin
• St. Peter’s Basilica
– Massive Catholic cathedral in Vatican
– Pope Leo X needed money to finish
construction
• Johann Tetzel (1465-1519)
– German friar who was authorized to
sell indulgences (for St. Peters)
– Used high pressure sales tactics on
German peasants
• “As soon as gold in the basin
rings, the souls in purgatory
spring”
95 Thesis
• Luther’s Response
– 95 Theses (10/31/1517)
• Criticized sale of indulgences/
papal wealth/papal authority
• Written in Latin
• Common method to spark debate
among theologians
• Leipzig Debate
– Johann Eck v. Luther
– Luther denied Papal infallibility,
criticized corruption & opulence of
Pope
• Excommunicated by Papal Bull in 1521
• 95 Thesis mass produced via printing
press
Luther Blogs
Address the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520),
Source: Martin Luther, German Catholic priest and theologian
POV
. . Poor Germans that we are--we have
been deceived! We were born to be
• Who?
masters, and we have been compelled
to bow the head beneath the yoke of
• When?
our tyrants, and to become slaves.
Name, title, outward signs of royalty, we • Where?
possess all these; force, power, right,
liberty, all these have gone over to the • What?
popes, who have robbed us of them.
They get the kernel, we get the husk . . .
• How?
It is time the glorious Teutonic people
should cease to be the puppet of the
• Why????
Roman pontiff. ..
Luther’s Theology & Implications
• Faith Alone
– Rejected idea that “good works” &
indulgences needed for Salvation
– Salvation is freely given by God
• Bible ultimate authority
– Rejected idea that Papal Bulls held
spiritual weight
– Translated Bible into German
– Only 2 sacraments
• Priesthood of All Believers
– Said that each individual is spiritually
equal in eyes of God
– Rejects spiritual hierarchy
– Obligated to save own soul
• Rejects celibacy/ praises marriage &
motherhood
• Secular rulers are supreme authority in
all matters except theological
The Wartburg room where Luther
translated the New Testament into
German.
Begin at minute 22
On Christian Liberty (1520)
Source: Martin Luther, German Catholic priest and
theologian, “open letter” to Pope Leo X
Christian man is the most free lord of all, and
subject to none; a Christian man is the most
dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.
Although these statements appear contradictory,
yet, when they are found to agree together, they
will make excellently for my purpose. They are
both the statements of Paul himself, who says,
"Though I be free from all men, yet have I made
myself servant unto all" (1 Cor. ix. 19), and "Owe
no man anything, but to love one another" (Rom.
xiii. 8). Now love is by its own nature dutiful and
obedient to the beloved object. Thus even Christ,
though Lord of all things, was yet made of a
woman; made under the law; at once free and a
servant; at once in the form of God and in the
form of a servant.
POV
• Who?
• When?
• Where?
• What?
• How?
(Tone)
• Why????
Point of View
• Clearly one must consider the position of the author in
this doc because as a __________ the author would
naturally favor
• One must consider the motive of the author in this doc
because as a ___________ he stands to gain
_________
• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that
________________ feels this way because as a
________________ he would naturally favor
_____________________
• This document is (insightful/ valuable/ must be taken
with caution) because it illustrates the
• One must take note of (the tone, the occasion) for
which this doc is written because ___________
Other tips to consider
•
•
•
•
•
Position
– Consider who wrote the doc
– Are they an eyewitness to the event?
• If so, this is usually a valuable source
– Would they be in a position to know what they’re talking about?
• A noble writing about peasant life or vice versa may not be a very reliable source
Tone
– Does the author use emotional language, fiery rhetoric
– If so, this source must be taken with caution, especially in a speech or open letter
Occasion
– Is it a public speech, an open letter meant for the public to see
• Anything said or written to the public is usually carefully worded an meant to sway
public opinion
• It may not really reflect what the author or public felt
Is it a memoir
– Written years later
– Could be a valuable source (careful reflection years later)
– Could be a apologist (make excuses for past mistakes)
Is it a diary
– Usually a very reliable source in terms of how the person really felt
Diet of Worms (1521)
• Charles V
– Emperor of Holy
Roman Empire
– promised no
subject
excommunicated
without a trial
• Luther placed on trial
at Diet of Worms
• Luther ordered to
recant his beliefs
– He refused
• Speech asserted
freedom of conscience
• Luther branded an
outlaw
• Luther kidnapped by
Elector Frederick III
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of
the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not
trust either in the pope or in councils alone,
since it is well known that they have often
erred and contradicted themselves), I am
bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and
my conscience is captive to the Word of God.
To go against conscience is neither right nor
safe. I cannot and will not recant. May God
help me. Amen.
Diet of Worms
Protestantism
• Luther hid under protection of Frederick of
Saxony
– Translated Bible into German
• Democratizes religion!!!!
• Encourages literacy!!!!!
• Northern German princes turned to
Lutheranism
– Way to stop Church authority
– Opportunity to seize lands
– Liked Address to the Christian Nobility of
the German Nation (1520)
• Diet of Speyer (1529) Charles V orders
Luther and his followers arrested
• Princes issue defiant PROTEST
– Hence the term Protestant
– Form the League of Schmalkaden in 1531
• Allied with French King Francis I (who
ironically was Catholic) against HRE
The Swabian Peasant Uprising (1525)
• Crop failures in 1523-24 furthered
aggrieved peasants burdened by
nobles’ rents
• Peasant Revolts
– Twelve Articles (1525)
– Used Biblical scripture to justify
rebellion
– Inspired by Luther’s On Christian
Liberty
• Christian man is the most free
lord of all, and subject to none
– Demanded social and economic
equality
• Demand an end to serfdom,
tithes, feudalism
The Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants (March 1525)
Source: Authored by peasant Sebastian Lotzer and signed by a
committee representing 25 villages pertaining to the city of
Memmingen, Swabia region of Württemberg.
The Seventh Article : {We will} not hereafter allow
ourselves to be farther oppressed by our lords, but will
let them demand only what is just and proper according
to the word of the agreement between the lord and the
peasant. The lord should no longer try to force more
services or other dues from the peasant without
payment, but permit the peasant to enjoy his holding in
peace and quiet. The peasant should, however, help the
lord when it is necessary, and at proper times when it
will not be disadvantageous to the peasant and for a
suitable payment.
Other tips to consider
•
•
•
•
•
•
Position
– Consider who wrote the doc
– Are they an eyewitness to the event?
• If so, this is usually a valuable source
– Would they be in a position to know what they’re talking about?
• A noble writing about peasant life or vice versa may not be a very reliable source
Tone
– Does the author use emotional language, fiery rhetoric
– If so, this source must be taken with caution, especially in a speech or open letter
Occasion
– Is it a public speech, an open letter meant for the public to see
• Anything said or written to the public is usually carefully worded an meant to sway
public opinion
• It may not really reflect what the author or public felt
Is it a memoir
– Written years later
– Could be a valuable source (careful reflection years later)
– Could be a apologist (make excuses for past mistakes)
Is it a diary
– Usually a very reliable source in terms of how the person really felt
What does the author Want?
• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that
________________ feels this way
because as a ________________ he
would naturally favor
_____________________
• This document is (insightful/ valuable/
must be taken with caution) because it
illustrates the
Luther’s Response
• At first supported then later
condemned the revolts
• Against the Murdering
Thieving Hordes of
Peasants
(1525)
– Luther condemned the
peasants as devils
– Used scripture to
repudiate Twelve Articles
– Believed that rebellion
would lead to end of
civilization
– Calls for their liquidation
• Why did he side with the
Lords?
Click for Clip
Women and priests retrieve the dead bodies
of Swabian soldiers just outside the city gates
of Constance after the Battle of Triboltingen in
the Swabian War
Against the Murdering Thieving Hordes of Peasants (1525)
Source: Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation
following the murder of High Governor, count Ludwig
Helferich of Helfenstein, addressed to the princes of Germany
• With threefold horrible sins against God and men have these
peasants loaded themselves, for which they have deserved a
manifold death of body and soul.
• First they have sworn to their true and gracious rulers to be
submissive and obedient, in accord with God's command (Matt.
xxii. 21), "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are
Caesar's," and (Rom. xiii. 1), "Let every soul be subject unto the
higher powers." But since they have deliberately an
sacrilegiously abandoned their obedience, and in addition have
dared to oppose their lords, they have thereby forfeited body an
soul, as perfidious (deceitful), perjured, lying, disobedient
wretches and scoundrels are wont to do. Wherefore St. Paul
judges them, saying (Rom. xiii. 2.), "And they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation." The peasants will incur this
sentence, sooner or later; for God wills that fidelity and
allegiance shall be sacredly kept.
• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that
________________ feels this way
because as a ________________ he
would naturally favor
_____________________
Impact of Luther’s Theology
• Spiritual Equality
• Individual’s
Freedom of
Conscience
• Encouraged literacy
• Raised status of
women
• Leads to other
religions
Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch painter, 1629
Rembrandt’s Mother Reading
Appeal of Protestant Ideas
• Luther
– Skill with language
– Translated Bible into German
– Became standard German dialect
• His ideas spread rapidly due to Printing Press
• Christian Humanist
– Attracted to Luther’s stress on simpler,
more personal religion, centrality of
scripture, end of elaborate ceremonies
• Educated
– attracted to stress on reading, education
• Townspeople
– resented Catholic Church wealth, Tithes
• Secular Rulers
– Liked Luther’s stress on obedience to
secular rulers
Marriage and Sexuality
• Celibacy against human nature according
to Luther
• Married former nun, Katharina von Bora
• Had several children
• Model of proper Christian family
• Protestantism denied that marriage was a
sacrament but said had to be ordained by
God to be a Proper marriage
• Men and Women are Spiritual equality
• But maintained social hierarchy
– Husband authority of household &
must be obeyed
– Urged to be kind to wife but may use
physical force if necessary (breaking a
horse)
• Marriage viewed as created by God to aid
human weakness
– Couples who had bad marriage
endangered own soul and
communities
• Allowed divorce (as a last resort)
Protestant Impact on Status of Women
• Many educated nothern European women
were attracted to Luther’s theology
– Elevated status of marriage, women in
general
• Argula von Grumbach
– Aristocratic woman who called on women
to speak out on theological matters
(priesthood of all believers)
• Prostitution condemned
• City brothels closed (except Italy)
– Moved outside city
• Overall impact
– Mostly positive
– But convent (Catholic) did provide some
upper class women with literary, artistic
opportunity and medical security
– Closure of convents made marriage the
only occupation for women
– Unmarried women (and men) became
suspect!!!
• IE. Witches
Letter from noblewoman, Argula von Grumbach to University of
Ingolstadt concerning Arsacius Seehofer, the young teacher who
had been arrested for Protestant views and forced to recant
• What have Luther and Melanchthon taught save the Word of
POV
God? You have condemned them. You have not refuted them.
• Who?
Where do you read in the Bible that Christ, the apostles, and
•
•
the prophets imprisoned, banished, burned, or murdered
anyone? You tell us that we must obey the magistrates.
Correct. But neither the pope, nor the Kaiser, not the princes
have any authority over the Word of God. You need not think
you can pull God, the prophets and the apostles out of
heaven with papal decretals drawn from Aristotle, who was
not a Christian at all. . . . You seek to destroy all of Luther's
works. In that case you will have to destroy the New
Testament, which he has translated. In the German writings
of Luther and Melanchthon I have found nothing heretical. . .
Even if Luther should recant, what he has said would still be
the Word of God. I would be willing to come and dispute with
you in German…
I send you not a woman's ranting, but the Word of God. I
write as a member of the Church of Christ against which the
gates of hell shall not prevail. . .
—Argula von Grumbach, 1523
• When?
• Where?
• What?
• How?
• Why????
• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that
________________ feels this way
because as a ________________ he
would naturally favor
_____________________