Key Figures
Luther |
A German monk who struggled with the Church's traditional beliefs. As a result of the hawking of indulgences, Luther posts his 95 Theses, which eventually lead to a split in the Christian religion. Luther's prime doctrine, justification by grace through faith, appealed to many people and Protestant sects formed across Europe. Luther published many pamphlets and works that outlined his beliefs: communion and baptism as the only sacraments, clergy able to marry, denial of Pope as head of church, and individual interpretation of scripture. |
John Calvin |
A second-generation reformer who experienced a religious conversion that convinced him that God was providing him inner guidance. Publisher of many works of Protestant thought, Calvin also believed in justification by faith alone. He placed a high emphasis on the sovereignty of God, and felt that certain people were predestined to go to heaven while others were doomed to hell. |
Zwingli |
As priest in the Great Munster of Zurich, Zwingli began the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland. Zwingli victoriously disputed with the city council over his theological views. He helped bring about evangelical reforms and looked to the state to supervise the Church. Zwingli and Luther's doctrines were identical except for the Zwinglian idea that the Lord's Supper was only a figurative celebration of Jesus' body. The inability of the two reformers to agree, kept them from forming an alliance. |
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The most influential of the Christian Humanists and founder of "the philosophy of Christ." He felt that religion should be more of a guiding concept than the dictatorial beliefs and practices of the medieval church. Erasmus sustained that the church needed to return to its simple roots and published both a Latin and a Greek version of the New Testament. He emphasized moderation and education and his reform program was designed to work within the church, not to destroy its unity. |
Ignatius of Loyola |
Spanish nobleman who founded the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. Extremely militaristic, he wrote a training manual for spiritual development entitled, Spiritual Exercises. The Jesuits' were obedient to the Pope, believed in education to attain it's goals, and were dedicated to stopping the spread of Protestantism. The Jesuits were also missionaries to Asia. |
Menno Simons |
Dutch Anabaptist leader who became the founder of the Mennonites. Menno dedicated his life to the spread of peaceful Anabaptism and stressed separation from the world in order to live a Christ-like life. Simons was strict with discipline and those who could not obey, were ban from the group. Both the Mennonites and the Quakers in America are descendants of the Anabaptists. |
Charles V |
Elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1519 as well as retaining his throne as King of Spain and all of its possessions. Major problems hindered him from keeping the Christian Church united. These annoyances kept him from dealing properly with the Protestant reformers and caused his health to deteriorate as well. |
Johann Tetzel |
A zealous Dominican monk who hawked indulgences for the purpose of increasing the Pope's funds. Founder of the phrase, " As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs." This jingle disturbed Luther greatly and brought about the 95 Theses. |