ch 500 lecture 11 theology 1303-16481 lecture 11: theological developments 1303-1648 dr. ann t....

CH 500 Lecture 11 Theology 1303-1648 1

Lecture 11: Theological Developments 1303-1648Dr. Ann T. Orlando

5 April 2011


Introduction

Historical Review Precursors to Reformation and Renaissance Lutheran Theology Calvin’s Theology Anabaptists Catholic Response Development of Catholic Spirituality


Historical Review 14th – 16th C Black death, Hundred Year’s War Avignon Papacy Great Schism: 2 Popes Conciliar Movement: 3 Popes Fall of Constantinople, 1453 Development of strong, competing nations in

Europe in 16th C


Review: Situation Early to Mid 16th C

Powerful Ottoman Turks in control of Eastern and Southern Mediterranean

Spain newly unified after expulsion of Muslims France and England in uneasy truce France and HRE in occasional battles over eastern France Strong National Rulers

Francois I of France Charles V HRE (Spain, Germany, Netherlands) Henry VIII in England

Popes in very weakened political situation after Avignon papacy; reliant on sale of indulgences and simony for funds

Age of Spanish and Portugese discovery and exploration


New Theological and Intellectual Movements Key to all new movements was : Opposition

to Scholasticism and Aristotle Move from Scholastic terminology and methods to

philology (language) Move from natural theology to Bible and early

Christian sources Move from intellect to will


Early Reactions Against Scholasticism Duns Scotus, Franciscan (1265-1308)

Man comes to knowledge only by illumination from God Divine will takes precedence over divine intellect; known as

volunteerism William of Ockham, Franciscan (1285-1347)

‘Ockham’s razor’ there should be no hypotheses that are not directly necessary; man is saved by direct action of God’s grace without any intermediary action

Nominalism; that is, universals are not necessary Attacked wealth of clergy


Early Reformers

John Wycliffe, Wyclif, Wycliff (1324-1384) Englishman, denounced Papal control over Church property Church as spiritual not a political society Emphasis on Scripture and priesthood of all believers Opposed to indulgences Lollards remained active in England promoting Wycliffe’s

theology Wycliffe condemned by Council of Constance, 1415

John Hus (1369-1415) Bohemian, influenced by Wycliffe Did not accept priesthood of all believers; otherwise in general

agreement with Wycliffe Condemned and burned at stake by Council of Constance Leader of Bohemian national movement


15th – 16th Century Intellectual Reform Movements Renaissance - Southern Europe

Art Humanism

Reformation – Northern Europe Nationalism Theological Reform


Renaissance: Humanism

Starts in Italy as part of Italian Renaissance Renaissance is said to begin when Petrarch reads

Confessions when he ascends Mt. Ventoux, April 26, in 1336

Emphasizes philology over philosophy; Study of structure and literal analysis of ancient texts

in original languages, including Bible, rather than using philosophical methods

Especially critical of Aristotle Return to the original religious and classical

sources, ad fontes


Erasmus of Rotterdam (1469 – 1536) Augustinian monk Humanist who encouraged

return to Bible and early Fathers of Church as a way to reform

Scripture as the philosophy of Christ

Optimistic about man’s ability to know and understand; ancient maxim that if one

knows what is right, one will do what is right

Detailed textual work on Bible and Augustine

Most famous scholar of his time

http://www.tate.org.uk/images/cms/12567w_messages_erasmus.jpg


Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Luther was influenced by humanism; studied Biblical languages and the early Church Fathers, especially Augustine

Driven by internal and external events

Internal struggle As a young Augustinian

monk, Luther struggles to appease God for his sins

Finally realizes that nothing he can do can appease God;

Salvation must be God’s free gift that one accepts by faith

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/h2/h2_55.220.2.jpg


External Struggle:German Reformation The proximate cause of the Reformation: 1517, Albrecht of

Mainz wants to be Archbishop Albrecht buys his archbishopric from Rome (Leo X); Rome needs

the money in part to help pay for rebuilding of St. Peters Rome authorizes the preaching of a special indulgence in

Germany, with the money to go to Albrecht to repay him Martin Luther

Responds to this situation with 95 Theses Go far beyond denouncing sin of simony and corruption;

fundamentally calls into question Rome’s primacy and theology of indulgences; denounces scholasticism

German princes, especially Fredrick the Wise of Saxony, support Luther against Rome and against HRE Charles V


Lutheran Theology: Three Solas Sola Scriptura

Rejection of philosophical developments; Scripture is all that one needs Scripture should be available to everyone, unmediated; Luther translates

Bible into German, although with his own interpretation built into it Return to original Biblical languages for Biblical study; reject any OT

books not written in Hebrew (deuterocanonical books; i.e., most philosophical books)

Very important that everyone can read Sola Fides

Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary and sufficient for salvation Universal priesthood of all believers

Sola Gratia Only God’s grace can save you Only two sacraments: Baptism and Eucharist Accepts Real Presence, but not transubstantiation


Implications of Luther’s Solas Rejection of intercession of saints

Destruction of images of saints, Churches stripped of decorations Rejection of relics

Rejection of indulgences Theory of indulgences implies Pelagianism There are no intermediaries between person and God

Rejection of Scholasticism (and philosophy in general) The only way to know is by the illumination of grace Salvation is not a process, but an instantaneous change of nature Does not accept traditional Christian views of anthropology: body, soul, spirit; there is

only one whole person Rejection of inherent value celibacy

Since all are priests, monks, nuns and ordained clergy are no holier than anyone else Luther and most of his ordained followers marry

Reading and Education Important that everyone be able to read the Bible Luther wrote two catechisms (Large and Small) in a question and answer format


Luther-Erasmus Debates on Free Will Replay of Pelagian controversy Erasmus writes a book, called On Free Will,

like Augustine wrote early in his career In response Luther writes a book called On

Bondage of Will, makes points similar to Augustine against Pelagius on need for grace, predestination

As in Pelagian controversy, how does one interpret Paul’s Letter to Romans?


Lutheran Theologian: Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) A humanist who studied classical languages

very carefully Became a close friend of Luther Wrote the Augsburg Confession (1530)

An apology for Reformers given to Charles V Tries to be as conciliatory as possible,

emphasizing points of common belief Charles V rejects it


Swiss Reformation: Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) A priest, Zwingli becomes member of Zurich city

council Preaches against Catholic liturgical practice Denies Real Presence in Eucharist; breaking point

with Luther Because two can not agree at Marburg (1529), there is

no united Reform movement Upholds sovereignty of Swiss cantons; but sovereignty

in combination of religion and civil rule based on Bible Dies in battle fighting for Zurich against Catholic Swiss

cantons in 1531


John Calvin (1509 - 1564)

Accepted Luther’s maxim “Sola Scriptura, Sola Fides, Sola Gratia” and extended it Accepted double predestination (as

defined by Augustine) Rejected real presence in Eucharist

Established a ‘holy’ city in Geneva: Calvinism, had an extensive influence on

Protestant movement, especially in Scotland (Presbyterians), France (Huguenots) England (Puritans) Netherlands (Reformers)

Note that all reformers looked to Augustine as their ‘patron saint’ Calvin said, “He is one of us”


Protestants in France

Francois I supported Humanists in France Claimed that the French Church had a special relationship with Papacy (Pepin,

Charlemagne, Avignon) Defended Pope, but French Church also claimed some independence of Pope

(Gallicanism) with special ties to French throne Calvin, who was French, sends reformers to France from Geneva When Francois I dies, French throne is up for grabs with both Catholic and

Calvinists making claims; Catherine de Medici becomes regent, waivers between appeasement and persecution of Huguenots (French Calvinists)

Religious wars in France, leading to St. Bartholomew Day’s Massacre, 24 August 1572

Eventually Henry IV becomes king; issues Edict of Nantes (1598) in which Catholicism is official religion of France, but Huguenots have some civil rights Originally a Protestant, converted to Catholicism Henry really a champion of very strong monarchy Assassinated in 1610 Young son becomes king, Louis XIII


Anabaptists (Radical Reform) Opposed infant baptism; rather baptism should be

accepted when one accepted faith in Jesus Christ Zwingli and Luther were both opposed to them Considered themselves completely separate from

State; did not believe that all professing Christians were part of Church

Politically and religiously exclusive; thus persecuted by all others as a threat to civil unity


Models of Church-State Development Catholic: Pope over civil rulers Lutheran: Civil rulers over Church (Romans

13) Calvinists: Combined into one ruling body to

form a holy community Anabaptists: Perfect congregation within

broader evil society; witness to, but does not try to participate in broader society


Catholic Response Main Points Reform of corrupt practice Affirmation of basic Catholic doctrine Renewal of Catholic spiritual practice Arts in service of theology Historians are at odds what to call

Catholicism in this period Counter Reformation Catholic Reformation Early Modern Catholicism


Catholic Response: Jesuits Jesuits (Society of Jesus)

founded by Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

NOT founded to counter Reformation; but charter put Jesuits on front lines against Reformers

Education very important in Jesuit belief

Jesuits very focused on work among people

Jesuit life-style in many ways opposite that of a monastery

saintpetersbasilica.org/Statues/Founders/IgnatiusLoyola/St%20Ignatius%20Loyola-FounderSaint.jpg


Key Points of Jesuit Charter (1541) Vow not to accept ecclesiastical dignities; Special relationship to Pope Increased probations:

The novitiate is prolonged from one year to two, A third discernment year after ordination, Final solemn vows may take years.

The Society does not keep choir. It does not have a distinctive religious habit. It is also said to have been the first order to undertake officially

and by virtue of its constitutions active works such as the following:

foreign missions, at the pope's bidding; the education of youth of all classes; the instruction of the ignorant and the poor; ministering to the sick, to prisoners, etc.


Catholic Response: Council of Trent Called by Pope Paul III

Pope initially reluctant to call council because of bad experiences with councils (especially Council of Constance) in 15th C

Purpose was both to address reform of practice and to uphold Catholic doctrine

Lengthy, intermittent (1545-1563) Developed in 25 several sessions Spanning three popes: Paul III, Julius III, Paul IV

Jesuits play a major theological role at Trent; encouraged explicit statement of Catholic doctrine in opposition to Protestant views


Key Theological Statements from Trent Scripture and Tradition Sacraments are effective by the fact of the

sacramental action being performed, ex opere operato

Affirmed Mass as sacrifice and transubstantiation of bread and wine into Body and Blood of Christ

Affirmed 7 sacraments Affirmed faith with good works together brings about

salvation Affirmed indulgences and intercession of saints


Revived Catholic Spirituality:

Teresa of Avila (1515 – 1582) Pioneered major reforms of

monastic orders (men and women) Special relationship with John of

Cross Encouraged renewed devotion of

Catholics in opposition to Protestants

First woman declared a doctor of Church (1970)

John of Cross 1542-1591 Follower of Theresa of Avila Mystic and writer of popular

devotional works


St. Frances de Sales (1567-1622) Educated by Jesuits Argued against Calvinists;

bishop in absentia of Geneva

Wrote popular devotional works; On Devout Life very influential Intended for lay people

(women)


Religious Map of Europe c. 1560www.wwnorton.com/college/history/ralph/resource/religion.htm


Readings

McManners Ch 7 (233-266) Read carefully Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Ignatius

Loyola, Theresa of Avila, Trent documents, De Sales

OPTIONAL Joint Catholic-Lutheran Declaration on Justification Petrarch, Ascent of Mt Ventoux,

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/petrarch-ventoux.html

As always, read secondary sources critically for emphasis (bias) of author

ch 500 lecture 11 theology 1303-16481 lecture 11: theological developments 1303-1648 dr. ann t....

Documents

natural theology

early reactions

control of eastern

early christian sourcesmove

early reformersjohn

weakened political situation

bohemian national movementch

southern mediterraneanspain