Class 1 Flashcards
What was the Lutheran Reformation About?
Justification by faith alone:
Authority of Scripture:
Priesthood of all believers:
Rejection of indulgences:
Translation of the Bible:
Took place in the 16th century
What was the Radical Reformation?
Radical theology: Adult baptism (believer’s baptism) over infant baptism, communal ownership of property, and the separation of church and state.
Anabaptism: baptism should be reserved for adults who can make a conscious decision to follow Christ, rather than infants.
Community of believers: Formed close-knit communities of believers who lived according to their interpretation of Christian principles. These communities often practiced communal living, sharing resources and responsibilities among members.
Pacifism: Rejecting violence and military service. They believed in nonresistance and emphasized love, forgiveness, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Persecution and martyrdom
Who was Martin Luther?
Martin Luther was a German monk, theologian, and key figure in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. He is best known for his Ninety-Five Theses, which he famously nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517. Luther’s actions sparked a movement that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and led to the formation of Protestantism. He emphasized the doctrine of justification by faith alone and the authority of Scripture over tradition. Luther’s teachings profoundly influenced the course of Western Christianity and had a lasting impact on religious and cultural history.
What was the Diet of Worms?
The Diet of Worms was an imperial diet (assembly) held in the city of Worms, Germany, in 1521. It is most famous for being the occasion where Martin Luther, the German monk and reformer, was summoned to appear before Emperor Charles V to defend his controversial teachings. At the Diet, Luther refused to recant his beliefs unless shown evidence from Scripture, famously declaring, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” The outcome of the Diet marked a key moment in the Protestant Reformation, as it led to Luther’s excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church and further divided Western Christianity.
Who was John Tetzel?
Johann Tetzel was a Dominican friar and papal commissioner known for his role in selling indulgences in the early 16th century. He was commissioned by the Catholic Church to raise funds for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Tetzel’s extravagant claims about the benefits of purchasing indulgences, which promised remission of sins and release from purgatory, sparked controversy and drew criticism from reformers like Martin Luther. Tetzel’s activities contributed to the growing opposition to the sale of indulgences and played a part in the start of the Protestant Reformation.
What were the 95 Theses?
The 95 Theses were a list of propositions written by Martin Luther in 1517, primarily criticizing the sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church. Luther’s main concerns were the abuse of power and the theological implications of the sale of indulgences, which promised forgiveness of sins and release from purgatory for a fee. The 95 Theses sparked a debate on the authority of the Pope, the nature of repentance, and the role of faith in salvation. They ultimately led to the Protestant Reformation and the formation of new Christian denominations.
Sola Fide
By faith alone
Sola Scriptura
By scripture alone
Sola Gratia
By grace alone
Who was Andreas Karlstadt
A German theologian and early reformer during the Protestant (radical) Reformation. He was an associate of Martin Luther and played a significant role in the Reformation movement. Karlstadt advocated for reforms such as the removal of religious images from churches, the abolition of clerical celibacy, and the use of vernacular languages in worship. However, he eventually parted ways with Luther over theological differences, particularly regarding the nature of the Lord’s Supper.
Who was Thomas Muntzer?
A radical theologian and revolutionary during the early years of the Protestant Reformation. He was known for his fiery sermons and calls for social justice, advocating for economic equality and the redistribution of wealth. Müntzer became involved in the Peasants’ War, (a popular uprising against feudal oppression in Germany in the early 16th century,) leading them into battle in 1524. However, his involvement in the rebellion led to his capture and execution in 1525. Müntzer’s ideas and actions influenced later radical reformers and revolutionaries.
What was the peasant’s revolt about?
A major uprising of peasants and lower classes in England in 1381. Triggered by socio-economic grievances, particularly heavy taxation and oppressive feudal conditions, the revolt quickly spread across the country. Led by figures like Wat Tyler and John Ball, the rebels demanded an end to serfdom, fairer wages, and other reforms. Though initially successful in forcing concessions from the government, the revolt was eventually suppressed, and its leaders were executed. Despite its failure, the Peasants’ Revolt had lasting impacts on English society and laid the groundwork for future struggles for social justice and political rights.
Who were George Blaurock, Felix Manz & Conrad Grebel?
Early leaders of the Anabaptist movement, a radical wing of the Protestant Reformation. They advocated for adult baptism, the separation of church and state, and the establishment of voluntary, non-hierarchical Christian communities. Blaurock, Manz, and Grebel played significant roles in the formation of the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland during the early 16th century. They were instrumental in organizing baptisms of adults who had already been baptized as infants, which was considered heretical by both Catholic and Protestant authorities of the time. Their efforts laid the foundation for the development of Anabaptist churches and the broader tradition of radical Protestantism.
Who was Ulrich Zwingli?
A Swiss theologian and leader of the Reformation in Switzerland during the early 16th century. Though he himself was not a reformer, he advocated for religious reform based on the authority of Scripture and the primacy of the Bible in Christian life. Zwingli’s teachings emphasized the symbolic nature of the Eucharist and rejected many traditional Catholic practices. (He and Luther agreed on everything but communion.) He played a key role in establishing the Reformed tradition in Switzerland, particularly in the city of Zurich. Zwingli’s ideas influenced the development of Protestantism and contributed to the broader Reformation movement in Europe.
It is important to know that Zwingli ate sausages during lent! Very important.
Anabaptist Key Beliefs
- Adult baptism and the rejection of infant baptism
By rejecting infant baptism you are rejecting the state. A political statement that you are not obeying/ participating in the laws of society.
In 1526 the council made a death penalty for all who got re-baptised. (Ironic execution by drowning.) - Belief in discipleship
- Belief in principle of love - pacifism
- Restorationist - priesthood of all believers
- Sharing of wealth and good
- Complete separation of Church and State
(Some) were spiritualist (high emphasis on the Holy Spirit)
(Some) were rationalists (high emphasis on reason)
