Martin Luther and the Heidelberg Disputation
A commemorative plaque in a street of Heidelberg for Martin Luther
This plaque literally translates to: To commemorate his stay in the convent of the Augustinian and his Heidelberg Disputation on April 26th, 1518.
What was the Heidelberg Disputation, and what was said during the event?
Before we get into this event, there was background information which led up to this event. In October of 1517, Martin Luther presented 95 different arguments, supporting a revision of the practice of indulgences. These indulgences, held by the Catholic Church, offered people out of Purgatory for themselves or their family. The catholic church began to sell these indulgences, yet Luther believed that this was wrong. He believed it was unfair that peasants would not be able to go to heaven, just because of their financial status, causing Martin Luther to form his 95 arguments. These arguments were later defended by Luther in the city of Heidelberg, Germany.
Three of the main themes of his 95 theses were the following:
1. Nowhere does the Bible mention these indulgences.
2. Only God could release people from purgatory, not the Pope.
3. Only faith can impress god, not money.
A list of a few of his 95 theses:
"The pope has neither the will nor the power to remit any penalties beyond those imposed either at his own discretion or by canon law.
The pope himself cannot remit guilt, but only declare and confirm that it has been remitted by God; or, at most, he can remit it in cases reserved to his discretion. Except for these cases, the guilt remains untouched.
God never remits guilt to anyone without, at the same time, making him humbly submissive to the priest, His representative."'
After the creation of these theses, the Catholic Church was extremely angered. Luther was excommunicated in 1521 by the current Roman Emperor, Charles the Fifth. From the viewpoint of the church, Luther became so radical that they made it illegal for anybody to help out Martin Luther. Yet, this law was difficult to enforce, and Luther gained several followers.
Beliefs of Lutheranism:
According to Lutheranism, there is no one Pope who can decide what should occur; instead, there is a council made up of people that are elected. They also strongly follow the Bible, claiming that the Bible is the one source of truth, yet unlike Catholicism, where a Pope interprets the Bible, in Lutheranism, people are allowed to interpret the Bible however they like.
Peasants's Revolt
Peasants sided with Luther, and wished for his attempt at a reformation to help them both socially, and economically. Eventually so many peasants wished for this, that a revolt in 1524, known as the peasants revolt. They hoped that Luther would support this, yet Luther did not like disrespect towards people in power, and officially claiming his non-support for the revolt.
This revolt was one of the most unsuccessful in history; thousands of these peasants were killed, and the peasants did not accomplish their goal.
Listen, or read these harsh words Luther said about these peasants:
"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."
This revolt was one of the most unsuccessful in history; thousands of these peasants were killed, and the peasants did not accomplish their goal.
Listen, or read these harsh words Luther said about these peasants:
"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."
A Resolution.
During the middle of the 16th century, Charles the Fifth, the Holy Roman Emperor at the time, was trying to make Lutheran leaders (often princes), convert back to Catholicism, and support the Catholic Church and Pope, yet, even after several small wars, a kind of treaty was created between the Catholic and Lutheran leaders, known as the Peace of Augsburg. In 1555, this treaty was signed, allowing these leaders to decide which religion they would take. Most of the North stayed Lutheran, while the South were Catholic. On the left, a map shows the imaginary division line of this Peace agreement.
Here is an excerpt from the Peace of Augsburg:
Likewise the Estates espousing the Augsburg Confession shall let all the Estates and Princes who cling to the old religion live in absolute peace and in the enjoyment of all their estates, rights, and privileges...
No Estate shall try to persuade the subjects of other Estates to abandon their religion nor protect them against their own magistrates...
In case our subjects whether belonging to the old religion or the Augsburg confession should intend leaving their homes with their wives and children in order to settle in another, they shall be hindered neither in the sale of their estates after due payment of the local taxes nor injured in their honor.
This is a very early example of religious freedom in Europe.
Here is an excerpt from the Peace of Augsburg:
Likewise the Estates espousing the Augsburg Confession shall let all the Estates and Princes who cling to the old religion live in absolute peace and in the enjoyment of all their estates, rights, and privileges...
No Estate shall try to persuade the subjects of other Estates to abandon their religion nor protect them against their own magistrates...
In case our subjects whether belonging to the old religion or the Augsburg confession should intend leaving their homes with their wives and children in order to settle in another, they shall be hindered neither in the sale of their estates after due payment of the local taxes nor injured in their honor.
This is a very early example of religious freedom in Europe.
John Calvin & Calvinism
Before we get into the origins of Calvinism, let's compare some similarities and differences between Lutheranism and Calvinism:
1. In both Lutheranism and Calvinism, the Bible is the sole source of God, and of truth.
2. Both religions disagree with Catholicism in the sense that there is no Pope who can interpret the Bible for them.
3. The people determine how they wish to read and interpret the bible.
Other unique Calvinistic beliefs:
1. Predestination is a major theme of Calvinism. Predestination means that God long ago determined who would go to heaven.
2. There are only two types of people: saints, and sinners
1. In both Lutheranism and Calvinism, the Bible is the sole source of God, and of truth.
2. Both religions disagree with Catholicism in the sense that there is no Pope who can interpret the Bible for them.
3. The people determine how they wish to read and interpret the bible.
Other unique Calvinistic beliefs:
1. Predestination is a major theme of Calvinism. Predestination means that God long ago determined who would go to heaven.
2. There are only two types of people: saints, and sinners
The Rise of Calvinism
Calvin Preached at this church, in Geneva, Switzerland
In 1536, John Calvin wrote, and got published, a book explaining how he thought a church should work, and the best way to organize one. In one of his publishings, Calvin writes the following about predestination (explained above):
"By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death. "------Chapter 21, Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.
After this, and other readings by Calvin had been published, people wishing to separate from the church in Geneva, a city in modern-day Switzerland, wished for Calvin to set up a community ran by church leaders, or a theocracy. The values which Calvin had set up attracted people from all over Europe. People came to Geneva, learning, and living the culture of this new branch of Christianity. Near the end of the 16th century, Calvinism had spread as far north as England, and as far West as France. Yet, many challenges occurred after the large wave of conversion/
"By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death. "------Chapter 21, Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.
After this, and other readings by Calvin had been published, people wishing to separate from the church in Geneva, a city in modern-day Switzerland, wished for Calvin to set up a community ran by church leaders, or a theocracy. The values which Calvin had set up attracted people from all over Europe. People came to Geneva, learning, and living the culture of this new branch of Christianity. Near the end of the 16th century, Calvinism had spread as far north as England, and as far West as France. Yet, many challenges occurred after the large wave of conversion/
New Beliefs Bring Violence
As Calvinism spread to the areas mentioned above, the Catholic Church was angered, as they were losing money due to there being less members of the Church. Several wars broke out over this in Germany, France, and Scotland. The violence and conflict was so bad that people began to sail to the Americas, went into hiding in order to stay Calvinists, and even a religious rebellion.
John Knox's Rebellion
Knox's first preaching against the Catholic Church took place in 1559, in the city of Perth, Scotland. According to historians, Knox's sermon was extremely effective; immediately following it, listeners began to burn Catholic objects in churches, such as crosses, altars, and even some expensive paintings. He continued to travel throughout Scotland, spreading his believes throughout the entire nation until the late 17th century. If it wasn't for Knox, Scotland could very well be a Catholic nation today.
John Knox's Rebellion
Knox's first preaching against the Catholic Church took place in 1559, in the city of Perth, Scotland. According to historians, Knox's sermon was extremely effective; immediately following it, listeners began to burn Catholic objects in churches, such as crosses, altars, and even some expensive paintings. He continued to travel throughout Scotland, spreading his believes throughout the entire nation until the late 17th century. If it wasn't for Knox, Scotland could very well be a Catholic nation today.
Henry VIII
For the early half of his life, Henry the eight sided with the Catholic Church. He was appalled by the new reformation, and evens wrote publishings on why Luther's revolution was wrong. Yet over a simple divorce, Henry decided to separate from the Catholic church, after the Pope rejected his request for a divorce.
What did Henry do about this?
With no other option, the only thing Henry could do was to take over England's church system, separating it from the Pope's control. After this, Henry could do whatever he wanted, as he had power over England's religious system. He later hired an archbishop who accepted the King's divorce. He then married Anne Boleyn, hoping to have a son, as he felt that England could only remain successful if a male relative to Henry took the throne, but instead, he had a daughter, named Elizabeth.
Hoping to retain his power, Henry had Parliament create an "Act of Supremacy", which stated the following:
"Albeit the king's Majesty justly and rightfully is and ought to be the supreme head of the Church of England, and so is recognized by the clergy of this realm in their convocations, yet nevertheless, for corroboration and confirmation thereof, and for increase of virtue in Christ's religion within this realm of England, and to repress and extirpate all errors, heresies, and other enormities and abuses heretofore used in the same, be it enacted, by authority of this present Parliament, that the king, our sovereign lord, his heirs and successors, kings of this realm, shall be taken, accepted, and reputed the only supreme head in earth of the Church of England".
What did Henry do about this?
With no other option, the only thing Henry could do was to take over England's church system, separating it from the Pope's control. After this, Henry could do whatever he wanted, as he had power over England's religious system. He later hired an archbishop who accepted the King's divorce. He then married Anne Boleyn, hoping to have a son, as he felt that England could only remain successful if a male relative to Henry took the throne, but instead, he had a daughter, named Elizabeth.
Hoping to retain his power, Henry had Parliament create an "Act of Supremacy", which stated the following:
"Albeit the king's Majesty justly and rightfully is and ought to be the supreme head of the Church of England, and so is recognized by the clergy of this realm in their convocations, yet nevertheless, for corroboration and confirmation thereof, and for increase of virtue in Christ's religion within this realm of England, and to repress and extirpate all errors, heresies, and other enormities and abuses heretofore used in the same, be it enacted, by authority of this present Parliament, that the king, our sovereign lord, his heirs and successors, kings of this realm, shall be taken, accepted, and reputed the only supreme head in earth of the Church of England".
Catholics Revolt
Cranmer, previous archbishop of England
Many Catholics were furious over this new Act of Supremacy; they would not accept the fact that the Pope did not have power. Yet these people were charged, and slaughtered for committing treason against the king. Years following the Act of Supremacy, people working for Henry would search for any Catholic organizations which were still around, and would force them to shut down. Yet, Henry did not support most Protestant values either.
Why would Henry VIII separate from the Catholic Church, if he used more rituals of them then of protestants?
Henry VIII's goal was not to separate away from immoral Catholic rituals. Instead, he wished to allow his citizens to use the english bible, and not have to be controlled by a Pope. In 1547, Henry VIII died, leaving his land to Edward the 6th, his only son out of six marriages. Unlike his father, many considered Edward to be a very extreme protestant. Under his orders, the previous (during Henry VIII's rule) as well as the current archbishop, Thomas Cranmer, created a set of prayers. These prayers were made mandatory for all services in the Church of England.
Why would Henry VIII separate from the Catholic Church, if he used more rituals of them then of protestants?
Henry VIII's goal was not to separate away from immoral Catholic rituals. Instead, he wished to allow his citizens to use the english bible, and not have to be controlled by a Pope. In 1547, Henry VIII died, leaving his land to Edward the 6th, his only son out of six marriages. Unlike his father, many considered Edward to be a very extreme protestant. Under his orders, the previous (during Henry VIII's rule) as well as the current archbishop, Thomas Cranmer, created a set of prayers. These prayers were made mandatory for all services in the Church of England.
How did the Protestant Reformation make Europe powerful?
The Catholic church, used to collecting taxes on the members of the Church now had fewer members to support it. Money could still be collected by the king (previously, it would have gone to the Pope), but after the reformation, the leader of an area could decide what to do with the money. In several cases, this extra money was used to raise armies. These armies were created so that the nations could protect themselves against the Catholic church, in case the Pope tried to reconvert the Protestant nations. Mainly, the nations were able not to depend on the Catholic Pope to make decisions, allowing rulers to create rules specific to what the country needed, and not what the Pope wanted.