The Road to Reformation. Elder Paul D Brown, PhD

Transcription

1 The Road to Reformation Elder Paul D Brown, PhD

2 Objectives To recognize, interpret and discuss the impulses for change and reform in the Western Church from the late medieval period (14th century) through the Reformation and its aftermath (16th and 17th centuries). To identify and evaluate the state of the Church in the 14th and 15th centuries and defend the responses of people like John Hus and John Wyclif.

3 Objectives To differentiate between the doctrines and ideas of Martin Luther from those of the Roman Catholic Church To recognize the differences in the theology and ecclesiology of the Reformers and how they affected European society. To describe and evaluate how the political developments affected path of the Church in England in the 16th and 17th centuries.

4 1 500 The Ancient Church 1000 The Medieval Church The Reformed Church

5 East/West Schism Crusades Francis of Assisi Peter Waldo

6 Francis of Assisi (1181/ ) It has been argued that no one else in history was as dedicated as Francis to imitate the life, and carry out the work of Christ, in Christ s own way. This is important in understanding Francis' character and his affinity for the Eucharist and respect for the priests who carried out the sacrament. He and his followers celebrated and even venerated poverty. Poverty was so central to his character that in his last written work, the Testament, he said that absolute personal and corporate poverty was the essential lifestyle for the members of his Franciscan Order of Friars.

7 Francis of Assisi (1181/ )

8 Behold the White horse Revelations 6:2 And I looked, and saw there a white horse whose rider carried a bow. And a crown was given him, and he rode forth conquering and to conquer.

9 Evaluation of Monasticism Criticisms Denies salvation of the whole individual in order to be spiritual must leave world Promotes two-tiered Christianity and spirituality Short-sighted view of evil Evil primarily without If you could join monastery, more spiritual. Positives Points to the discipline necessary for Christian life Positive attitude towards work Preservation of learning

10 Medieval Missions ( ) Periods: : Winning over tribes around the Old Roman Empire Barbarians; Within Europe -Bring actual faith to nominal Christians This work done by Monks and Friars Themes: 1. Vital role played by monks and friars; 2. Importance of Monarchs in areas the Gospel is preached; 3. General Pattern of Martyrdom; 4. Efforts at cultural sensitivity- If practices aren't anti-christian, then let them stay; 5. Failure of Missions outside of Europe WHY? Crusades; Problems of communication and travel; Many missionaries died; Language problems-non European language especially; Hesitancy to develop local clergy--no nationals as priests

11 Raymond Lull ( ) Layman-missions to Muslims Converted at 30 Joined Franciscans Lull s Missions Strategy: Urged missionaries to learn local language Work at natural argumentation for Christianity evidentialist apologetic Successful missionary service dependent on willingness to be faithful to death

12 Charlemagne ( ) Son of Pepin the short Religiously sincere and missions minded. By the year 800 he was Lord of more Europe than anyone since Theodosius. New concept of political authority: Leader of Christian people -defender of the Church Medieval Synthesis All of life under one heaven -Church and state aligned Holy Roman empire Pope committed to political sphere; Emperor committed to church sphere Beyond - all of life God at core-god integrating center

13 Theology under Charlemagne Development of Sacramental Theology Man is corrupt--needs God's grace Incapable of meriting salvation apart from grace; believed the right use of saving grace involved correct use of sacraments; something taking place in this life can communicate grace

14 Theology under Charlemagne Reasons for the growth of sacramentalism: 1. Tied to incarnation Spiritual can appear in material 2. Belief in the objectivity of God's action 3. Social character of Christianity Covenants primarily with groups not individual

15 Sacraments of the Catholic Church 1. Baptism--cleanses GUILT from original sin - Not the sin nature. 2. Confirmation--placing on of hands by the bishop 3. Penance--procedures to deal with sin after original sin -contrition (feeling sorry), -confession, satisfaction 4. Eucharist--for growth. 5. Extreme Unction--Last Rites--prepare for eternal life-cleanse unconfessed sins 6. Marriage--symbol of the bestowal of grace on families. 7. Priesthood, Ordination

16 Peter Waldo Wealthy merchant of Lyons who gave away his possessions to live a life of poverty Had parts of the Bible translated into French Taught that New Testament is to be the only rule of life for Christians

17 Peter Waldo Sent out street preachers who embraced poverty Emphasized the Sermon on the Mount Waldensians came into conflict with the rich excesses of the church They were eventually declared to be a heresy

18 Peter Waldo Translated Scripture into common language and memorized large portions Refused to fight in Crusades; adopted pacifism Waldensians embraced the Reformation when it finally emerged

19 East/West Schism Crusades Francis of Assisi Peter Waldo Babylonian Captivity John Wyclif Black Plague 1500

20 The dumb ox Interested in integrating faith and learning Major Work--Summa Theologica -Summation of theology Three parts: God in Himself and Creation God and Relationship to mankind Christ as way of Humans returning to God

21 The dumb ox Reason and Faith -believe to understand God can be known two ways Nature and Revelation The five ways for the existence of God: 1. Motion implies first mover; 2. Sequence of cause and effect--uncaused cause; 3. Existence of things not self explanatory; 4. When we make moral comparisons we imply standard of perfection 5. The way the creation works implies intelligent being created

22 Seven Major Crusades numerous minor. Why?? 1. Perceived threat of Islam. 2. Unity of Mediterranean important, Jerusalem center of maps. 3. strong interest in pilgrimages to sacred places of Christianity--these under Muslim control Crusade GOALS --- Crusades would: 1. Achieve internal peace in Europe. 2. Achieve foreign goals Evaluation of Crusades POSITIVES - Marked success in commercial and economic realm NEGATIVE - Moral Failure Christian-Islam relations poisoned to this day by Crusades

23 The Morning Star of the Reformation (Died 1384) Studied theology at Oxford Augustinian, Grace of God & depravity important. Critical of church corruption, Rejected transubstantiation and sacrifice of the Mass. Attacked institution of Papacy Rejected indulgences Bible only authoritative guide; BUT NO justification by faith

24 The Morning Star of the Reformation (Died 1384) Distinction between temporal rule versus spiritual rule Credited with translation of the Vulgate into English (done by his followers) Lollards: Poor priests Bones exhumed and burned

25 East/West Schism Crusades Francis of Assisi Peter Waldo Babylonian Great Schism Captivity John Wyclif Black Plague 1500

26 While very ill, she had a series of visions of Jesus Wrote Revelations of Divine Love Walled into an anchorage with windows to the church, to the street, and to her servant s quarters

27 I am sure that no man asks mercy and grace with sincerity, without mercy and grace being given to him first.

28 Lived in the Netherlands Priest and scribe Devotional writer: Imitations of Christ Quiet, reflective life

29 In things essential, unity; in doubtful, liberty; in all things, love. (Imitation of Christ 1:3).

30 I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? (Imitation of Christ 1:1).

31 Ah, Lord God, my holy Lover, when You come into my heart, all that is within me will rejoice. You are my glory and the exultation of my heart. You are my hope and refuge in the day of my tribulation (Imitation of Christ 3:5).

32 East/West Schism Crusades Francis of Assisi Peter Waldo Babylonian Captivity John Wyclif John Hus 1500

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34 John Hus Lived in Bohemia (modern Czech Republic) Influenced by the teachings of Wyclif The Bible is basis of our doctrines Only God forgives sin (against indulgences)

35 John Hus

36 John Hus It is thus that you silence the goose, but a hundred years hence there will arise a swan whose singing you shall not be able to silence.

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38 East/West Schism Gutenberg's Printing Press Babylonian Constantinople Crusades Captivity falls 1200 Francis of Assisi Peter Waldo John Wyclif 1500 Martin Luther John Hus

39 Context of the Reformation Wide changes in all aspects of life: Political-Growth of nationalism -Monarch power at the expense of nobles and pope; Economics- Great inflation economic growthgrowth in cities and wealth redistributed; Social-Kings align with merchants, break with nobles-rising middle class Clergy filling in status -Peasant revolts; Intellectual-Renaissance Religious-Common error--prot--a revolt against corruption in church disgust with Papacy. Real questions: 1. Salvation; 2. Nature of Church; 3. Authority

40 Pope Innocent VIII Purchased his way into the papacy Already had several children and had several more as pope Made it a regular practice to sell church offices to the highest bidder

41 Dominican priest in Florence, Italy Preached against the moral corruption of the clergy Took political control of Florence following its overthrow by Charles VIII of France Homosexual practices made a capital offense Supporters organized Bonfire of the Vanities (burning of objects condemned by authorities as occasions of sin)

42 Including vanity items such as mirrors, cosmetics, fine dresses, playing cards, and even musical instruments. Other targets included books that were deemed to be immoral, such as works by Boccaccio, and manuscripts of secular songs, as well as artworks, including paintings and sculpture. Excommunicated by the Pope Tortured on the rack until he signed a confession Burned alive

43 Classical education Entered an Augustinian Monastery Doctorate in Theology Teacher Visit to Rome If anyone could have gained heaven as a monk, then I would indeed have been among them.

44 I did not love, indeed I hated this just God, if not with open blasphemy, at least with huge murmurings, for I was indignant against Him

45 Conversion: The Just shall live by faith (Rom.1:17) Decried the sale of Indulgences Relieve the temporal punishment resulting from the effect of sin, and reduced the time required to spend in Purgatory for remission

46 The penitent was still required to have his grave sins absolved, ordinarily through the sacrament of Confession, to receive salvation. 95 Theses: October 31, 1517 (based on his objections to the Church doctrine on the sale of indulgences and the Holy See's spiritual power to remit sins) Debates with Eck Excommunication Diet of Worms (1521)

47 A Diet was a formal deliberative assembly. It is most memorable for the Edict of Worms (Wormser Edikt/Imperial Act), which addressed Martin Luther and the effects of the Protestant Reformation. It was conducted from 28 January to 25 April 1521, with Emperor Charles V presiding.

48 Condemned priest celibacy, holy pilgrimages, the veneration of saints and sacred images, the doctrine of infallibility of popes and general church councils. Jettisoned the old sacramental rites, except baptism and the Eucharist. On the Eucharist, continued to insist in the literal interpretation of transubstantiation, while Zwingli (another reformer) insisted that it was only a symbolic, metaphorical ritual.

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50 "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."

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