I.
Luther’s
social impact
A.
Reasons
for Luther’s appeal
1.
City
government – the people resented clerical privileges and immunities (like
taxes)
2.
Preacherships – people felt
sermons were horrendous. Preacherships sprouted up
with preachers focusing on sermons that people could relate to, rather than
focus on the Eucharist.
3.
Peasants
– liked the “liberating” words of Luther
a.
peasant
revolts emerge and sweep across Germany
b.
the
Twelve Articles – outline peasant
grievances such as (1) nobles had seized common land, (2) new rents had been
laid, (3) “death duties”
c.
Luther’s
initial actions shamed the nobles; his later actions condemned the peasants for
insurrection
d.
The
revolt was eventually crushed
B.
Printing
press – Luther was a master of language, translator of New Testament into
German, hymn writer, catechism writer
C.
Women
– “all vocations have merit,” the Christian home was championed, sex within
marriage is a good thing, high respect for Christian loving mom
II.
Political
tree of Charles V
A.
look
at it, page 467
B.
bottom line – Dad’s mom is French/Dutch
and Dad is German. Mom’s parents are
Ferdinand & Isabella of Spain. So,
he has claims to it all.
C.
As
Holy Roman Emperor (and therefore defender of Catholicism) he clashed with
Luther’s ideas but…
1.
was
pre-occupied with wars to challenge Lutheranism
2.
Charles
V actually wanted German disunity, so oddly he…
3.
…supported
Protestant German princes
D.
Luther
urged in Appeal to the Christian Nobility
of the German Nation for princes to clear out Catholicism (indulgences,
dispensations or religious exemptions, pardons, celibacy, money-grubbing)
E.
Peace at Augsburg, 1555 – Charles V
accepted status quo & formally recognized Lutheranism. Here, each prince
in Germany determines the faith of his area. See map p. 468
A.
Ideas
of John Calvin (as outlined in The
Institutes of the Christian Religion)
1.
total
omnipotence and authority of God
2.
no
human will (would detract from God’s authority) (no good works)
3.
they
were “the elect,” those chosen to do God’s work
4.
predestination
B.
scriptural
mastery and eloquent speaker/preacher
C.
Geneva Consistory – Calvin “ruled”
Geneva along with 12 laity and Company of Pastors; morality watchdog; example
of Michael Servetus (rejected
Trinity, child baptism, & that a person under 20 could sin -> for this
he was burned at stake)
D.
Hard
work was pleasing to God as all work was God’s work