Origins of Lutheranism
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Origins of Lutheranism Lutheran Beliefs about the The first major protestant sect Ultimate Source of Authority was Lutheranism which began Lutherans rejected traditional in 1521 in Germany after Martin sources of religious authority Luther was excommunicated by such as church councils and the the Catholic Church. pope. They believed that the Luther, a Catholic priest and Bible was the only true source scholar at the University of of religious guidance. Reading Wittenberg, became troubled the Bible was the only way to as he studied the Bible. He learn how to lead a good life could not find a basis for many and gain faith in God. Lutherans church teachings and practices. published the Bible in several He was also upset about languages so that people could corruption in the church, read it for themselves. especially the sale of indulgences. Lutheran Beliefs about Origins of Calvinism Sin and Salvation Luther and his followers disagreed Calvinism was founded by with the Catholic Church about sin French Humanist John Calvin and salvation. Catholics believed that who did his most influential people earned salvation by following the teachings and practices of the work in Geneva, Switzerland. In church, that taking part in sacraments 1541, Calvin took over the was essential. leadership of the church reform Lutherans believed salvation was movement in Geneva. God’s gift, which people received in faith. People would be saved if they sincerely believed in Jesus Christ, were sorry for their sins, and accepted the words of the bible as truth. Those who have faith would perform good works and avoid sin because God commands them to, not in order to earn salvation. Lutheran Rituals and Worship Lutherans met in church buildings that had originally been Catholic. Like Catholics, they used an altar, candles, and a crucifix (a representation of Jesus on a cross). Like Catholic mass, Lutheran services included Holy Communion, Bible readings, and sermons in which clergy explained the day’s lesson from the Bible. Like Catholics, Lutherans sang hymns. Other parts of Lutheran worship were different from Catholic practice. Prayers were written and spoken in German, not in Latin, so that everyone could take part. Instead of having seven sacraments, as Catholics did, Lutherans had just two: baptism and Communion. Luther believed that these were the only two sacraments that are clearly named in the Bible. Lutheran Community Life Luther gave his followers rules on how to live. Overtime, he preached less about the Bible and put more importance on strict discipline and strong families. He said that fathers should teach their children religion by having them pray before meals and before bed. “Unless they pray,” he said, “they should be given neither food nor drink.” He also thought that the women should get married and give birth to as many children as possible. He believed that these rules would help Lutheran communities to grow and to be strong. Unlike catholic priests, Lutheran ministers (clergy) were free to marry. Luther himself married a former nun. Calvinist Beliefs about Sin and Salvation Calvinists believed that people depended entirely upon God to be saved. No one deserved salvation, and good works could “force” God to grant salvation. Instead, God chose certain people (the “elect”) to be saved and to enjoy eternal life. Religious faith and salvation were God’s gift to the elect; everyone else was doomed to spend eternity in hell. This idea was called predestination. There was nothing people could do to change their destiny. Everything, Calvin said, was under God’s control. The world, Calvinists believed, was full of opportunities to sin, but only people who were destined not to be saved would actually sin. Good behavior showed that a person was one of the elect. The reason for good behavior was to honor God, not to “buy” one’s salvation. Calvinists had many strict rules defining what good behavior was. For example, singing, dancing, playing cards, and wearing fancy clothing were all forbidden. Calvinist Beliefs about the Calvinist Community Life Ultimate Source of Authority Calvinists believed that each Calvinists thought that the community should be governed by Bible was the only true source of God through religious leaders and religious guidance. Part of the task have strict laws based on the Bible. of church leaders was to interpret Parents could name babies only the Bible and make laws from it. certain Christian names from the bible. Guests at local inns had to be Calvinists believed that life should in bed by nine p.m. They were not be lived according to God’s law. allowed to swear, dance, play cards, Consequently, in a Calvinist state, or insult anyone else at the inn. Inn religious rules also became owners had to report anyone that government laws. Anyone who broke these rules. The same rules sinned was also committing a applied to people in their own homes. crime. Criminals were punished Church leaders could inspect homes first by Calvinist clergy and then by yearly to see whether families were the local court system. living by the strict Calvinist laws. Calvinist Rituals and Worship Calvinist churchgoers attended services up to five times a week that included sermons which lasted for hours that explained how to live according to the bible. Calvinist churches were simple, paneled in plain wood, with long wooden benches. There were no paintings, statues, or stained glass windows. The minister preached from a pulpit in the middle of the room. Men sat on one side, women and children sat on the other. Children had to be ready to answer questions from the minister at a moment’s notice. Calvinists used only the two sacraments they found in the Bible: baptism and Holy Communion. Calvinists were not allowed to sing any words except those found in the Bible. At services, they sang verses from the Bible set to popular tunes. Some Bible songs had new melodies written for them. These verses could also be sung during prayers at home. Origins of Anglicanism Anglican Beliefs about Anglicanism was founded in Sin and Salvation 1534 by King Henry VIII in England. Like Catholics, Anglicans Politically, Henry did not want to believed that baptism began share either his power or his Christian life. Anglicans also kingdom’s wealth with the church. accepted Luther’s idea of Personally he wanted to get a justification by faith. To go to divorce so he could marry another heaven, all people needed was to woman. believe in God, regret their sins, When the pope refused to and receive God’s mercy. grant permission for divorce, Anglicans believed that people Henry had Parliament declare him should have privacy in how they the head of the English church. So practiced religion. It was up to began the Anglican Church with individuals to figure out how to the King at its head. live by their religious beliefs. Anglican Beliefs about the Anglican Rituals and Worship Ultimate Source of Authority Two versions of the Anglican Anglicans based their beliefs on Church service developed: the High the Bible. However, the English and Low Church service. Anglican services were held in monarch was the main interpreter former Catholic Church buildings. of the Bible’s meaning. The Most of the paintings, statues, and Archbishop of Canterbury helped other decorations were removed. The the monarch with this task. inside of each church was painted Beneath the archbishop, other white, and the Ten Commandments clergy helped spread the king’s were painted on the wall. People sang ideas about religion. In practice, simple hymns in English words and local clergy and churchgoers could easy melodies. The hymns were interpret church beliefs in their accompanied by musical instruments. own ways as long as they were Like the Protestant groups, loyal to the king and queen. Anglicans used only two sacraments: baptism and Holy Communion. Anglican Community Life High Church communities were made up mostly of wealthy people. Low Church communities were middle-class and working- class people. People could choose how to worship as long as they obeyed the laws of England and were loyal to the monarch. Heresy ceased to be a crime. However, citizens had to take care not to attack the monarch or the Anglican Church’s place as the official Church of England. .