Protestant Reformation: Context and Key Figures

Contextual Background

• Papal Palace in Avignon, France
  • Historically unusual as popes resided in the Vatican, Rome.
  • Shift occurred due to disputes between popes and European kings, particularly the King of France.
  • In 1309, the papacy moved to Avignon under pressure from the French King.
  • Avignon popes focused on power and wealth, not spiritual well-being.
  • Returned to Rome in 1377, but conflict led to two rival popes for 40 years.

Catholic Church Corruption

• Simony: The buying and selling of church offices.
• Indulgences:
  • Offered by Pope Leo X to fund St. Peter's Basilica.
  • Promised reduced time in purgatory in exchange for money.
  • Shifted from required confession to buying forgiveness.

Martin Luther and the Start of the Reformation

• Martin Luther:
  • Augustinian monk troubled by sin and church practices.
  • Around 1515, reinterpreted the New Testament, emphasizing grace over works.
  • Key beliefs:
    • Forgiveness and salvation as a gift of grace.
    • "Priesthood of all believers": All have direct access to God.
    • "Sola scriptura": Bible as the sole authority for Christians.
  • Composed the 95 Theses against church abuses.
  • Spread rapidly due to the printing press.
  • Declared heretic at the Diet of Worms, refused to recant.

Spread of Protestant Reformation

• John Calvin:
  • Systematized Protestant doctrine in "Institutes of the Christian Religion".
  • Key doctrines:
    • Predestination: God preordained salvation and damnation.
    • Doctrine of the Elect: Chosen by God, cannot lose salvation.
  • Geneva as a theocracy, wealth as a sign of God's favor.
  • Conflicts, including execution of dissenters.

Further Splintering: Anabaptists

• Anabaptists:
  • Believed in adult baptism, not infant baptism.
  • Separated from other Protestant groups over baptism beliefs.

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Study Resources:

• Continue reviewing the Unit 2 videos.
• Access the AP Euro review pack for further studies.