The Reformation

PRPC Adult Sunday School, Fall 2009

Medieval Review

• The Birth, Maturation, and Climax of Christendom.

• European Christendom– Born– Matures– Is sent out to the

World

Then, Why Reformation?

• Reformation or Reformations?– The Reformation or a

reformation?• Charlemagne• Gregory VII• Innocent III• Jan Hus

• Semper reformanda• The Church always

needs reformation– Errors need to be corrected– Evils need to be righted– Theology and Church need

to adapt

Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: Church Leadership

• Immorality• Sale of Church Offices• Pluralism• Control of the Papacy

– Papal Ambition– Spread of Papal authority– Involvement in secular

matters

• Failure to Reform– Conciliarism– Innocent III and Gregory

VII

Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: The Romanization of the Church

• De-emphasis of local theologies

• Clericalization of the faith

• Latin emphasis• Financial issues• Investiture of Bishops

Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: Encroachment of Roman Theologies

• Clerical Celibacy• Purgatory• Idolatry

– Veneration of Icons– Prayer to Saints– Relics

• Indulgences• Communion

– Utraquism– Infrequency

Ecclesial Issues in the Late Middle Ages: General Issues

• Superstition• Semi-Pelagianism• Nationalism• Preaching/Teaching

– General Bible and Theological Knowledge Lacking

Treatment of Reformers

• Rejection of Councils• Hus• Wycliffe• Savonarola• Hard-line Response

of Constance• Failure to address

Luther

The Church

Roman Catholic Church

Protestants

The Church

Roman Catholic Church

Protestants

FAIL

The Church

The Church Catholic(Western Catholic Church)

ProtestantsRomanCatholicChurch