Lesson 1: A Reformation in Christianity

Key Idea

Long before Martin Luther, some people grew concerned about the Catholic Church. They saw problems like corruption and felt the Church had too much political power. These worries created a desire for change across Europe.

Thinkers and priests began to speak out. In England, John Wycliffe argued that the Bible was more important than the pope. In Bohemia, Jan Hus was executed for challenging Church teachings. Others, like Desiderius Erasmus, also called for reform.

Key Idea

In 1517, a German priest named Martin Luther challenged the Church for selling indulgences. He argued that faith alone led to salvation. Luther wrote his arguments in a document called the Ninety-Five Theses and posted it on a church door, sparking a debate across Europe.

The Pope excommunicated Luther, but his ideas spread rapidly thanks to the printing press. People who agreed with Luther and protested against the Church’s authority became known as Protestants.

Key Idea

As the Reformation grew, other leaders emerged. In Switzerland, John Calvin created a strict Protestant faith. His teachings spread quickly across Europe, attracting many followers who formed their own churches.

A central idea of Calvinism was predestination, the belief that God had already chosen who would be saved. This teaching gave his followers a sense of purpose and discipline.

Key Idea

In England, the Reformation began for political, not religious, reasons. King Henry VIII needed a male heir to secure his family's rule. When the Pope refused to cancel his marriage, Henry took a drastic step to get what he wanted.

Henry broke England away from the Catholic Church. He had Parliament pass laws that created the new Church of England, with himself as its head. This move gave the English monarch power over religion and the church's wealth, completely changing the country's political and religious landscape.