1. The Reformation
Causes
• Causes of the Reformation:
1. The Crusades
2. Social and Economic Changes
(breakdown of feudalism and
manorialism)
3. Renaissance ideas like humanism
(realism) and the rethinking of old
beliefs.
4. Corrupt Church leaders
• These four causes led to a
theological conflict that would
divide the Christian community.
What caused the Reformation?

2. The Reformation
Origin and Diffusion
• Martin Luther posted the 95
Theses on a church door declaring
his arguments against the Catholic
Church, and started the
Reformation.
• Where: Northern Europe, Germany
• The printing press played a huge
role in spreading Reformation ideas
throughout Europe.
What actually started the
Reformation?
Where did the Reformation
begin?
What played an important
role in the spread of the
Reformation?

3. The Reformation
Theology
Salvation (how is a person saved?)
Catholic: Faith and (good)Works
Reformation: Faith Alone
Relationship with God
Catholic: includes the need for a
priest to mediate.
Reformation: Direct relationship
with God, never need a priest.
What was the theological
difference between Protestants
and Catholics on salvation?
What was the theological
difference between Protestants
and Catholics on the
relationship a believer had with
God?

4. The Reformation
Theology
Bible
Catholic: Bible is important, but
must be understood with the
teachings of the Pope and Bishops.
Reformation: Bible should be
written in the vernacular, and
people can read it for themselves
and know the truth about God. No
need for a Church to explain
anything (Humanism).
What was the theological
difference between Protestants
and Catholics on the Bible?
What are some Protestant
beliefs that reflect Renaissance
ideas?

5. The Reformation
Abuse of Indulgences
• Church leaders would sell
indulgences to pay for expensive
Church projects. Sometimes this
money was not used for good, many
leaders were corrupt.
Forgiveness and Indulgences
Catholic: A priest has the sacramental
power to forgive sins in the name of
Jesus. The Church can remove the
punishment for sin.
Reformation: Only God can forgive
sins, and when he does he also
forgives all punishment.
What is an example of Catholic
corruption that led to the
Reformation?
What was the theological
difference between Protestants
and Catholics on indulgences?

6. The Reformation
Reformers
Martin Luther
Original Intent: He was a Catholic
monk who wanted to reform the
Church, not leave it.
• Luther was excommunicated, but
many continued to follow Luther.
• Luther famously translated the Bible
into German
• Created his own church
denomination later called the
Lutheran Church.
What was Martin Luther’s
original intent?
What did Luther do after he
was excommunicated from the
Catholic Church?

7. The Reformation
Reformers
John Calvin
• He expanded on Luther’s ideas
and creating a new group of
protestants called Calvinists or
Reformed.
• He rallied Protestants to
completely reject Catholicism
• Early American Protestants like
the Pilgrims or Puritans were
Calvinists. In France they were
called Huguenots.
What did John Calvin do?

8. The Reformation
Reformers
King Henry VIII
• He was at first believed to be the perfect
Catholic leader, defending Catholicism
against the rebel protestants.
• When his wife failed to have a son, he
demanded a divorce, but the pope
would not allow it.
• The king forced the Bishops of his
country to pledge allegiance to him as
the new leader of the English or Anglican
Church, and to reject the power of the
pope.
• King Henry gave himself a divorce and
married 5 more times.
Why did King Henry VIII leave
the Catholic Church and create
his own?

9. 1. What caused the Reformation?
2. What actually started the Reformation?
3. Where did the Reformation begin?
4. What played an important role in the spread of the Reformation?
5. Name 2 theological differences between Catholics and Protestants.
Describe these differences.
6. What are some Protestant beliefs that reflect Renaissance ideas?
7. What is an example of Catholic corruption that led to the
Reformation?
8. What was Martin Luther’s original intent?
9. What did Luther do after he was excommunicated from the Catholic
Church?
10. What did John Calvin do?
11. Why did King Henry VIII leave the Catholic Church and create his
own?