Unam Sanctam 1302

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Unam Sanctam (1302)

• We declare, we proclaim, we define that it is
  absolutely necessary for salvation that every
  human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff
  -- Boniface VIII

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Increasingly powerful new monarchs and secular
leaders
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Conciliarism claim that council reflects
highest authority, not pope

• Council of Constance (1414-1418)
• Council of Basel (1431-1449)
• Council of Trent (1545-1563)

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Avignon Papacy (1309-1377)7 popes, all French
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The Great Schism (1378-1417)
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Medieval Anticlericalism and Reform

• Waldensians (12th century)
• Spiritual Franciscans (13th)
• Reform preachers (13/14th)
• John Wycliffe (14th)
• Lollards (14th/15th)
• Jan Hus (14th/15th)
• Executed 1415 Council of Constance, influenced
  Luther

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Late Medieval Critique of Church

• Growing desire for
• individualistic / personal vs. institutional /
  ritualistic piety
• Escalating hostility toChurch structure and
  privileges (anticlericalism), not the institution
  itself

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Enduring Divide BetweenClerical vs. Lay Status
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The Renaissance Context of Reform

• An important Renaissance cluster of ideas was
  in place by c.1500

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The Renaissance Context of Reform

• Artists and writers emphasized individual
  perspectives and human dignity

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The Renaissance Context of Reform

• Humanists harnessed critical intellectual thought
  to religious and moral reform ad fontes!
  (to the sources!)

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Declining Spiritual Authorityof Papacy by 1500
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Martin Luther (1483-1546)

• What was Martin Luthers background and
  education?
• To what extent was he a typical monk and scholar
  of his day?

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• Why did Luther write and post the 95 theses on
  the Wittenberg cathedral door in 1517? And what
  was the immediate response?

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Archbishop Albert of Mainz(in debt to Fugger
banking family any guesses as to why?)
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Johannes Tetzel (1465 1519)

• As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, The
  soul from Purgatory springs.

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The 95 Theses

• Why did he write 95 instead of focusing on a key
  few?
• Which of the theses struck you as particularly
  important or interesting?

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• Arise, O Lord, and judge Thy cause. A wild boar
  has invaded Thy vineyard. Arise, O Peter, and
  consider the case of the Holy Roman Church, the
  mother of all churches, consecrated by thy blood.
  Arise, O Paul, who by thy teaching and death hast
  illumined and dost illumine the Church. Arise all
  ye saints, and the whole universal Church, whose
  interpretations of Scripture has been assailed.
  --papal bull of Pope Leo X, 1520

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Key ideas set forth by 1520

• Justification by faith
• Primacy of scripture
• Priesthood of all believers

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Luther summoned by Charles Vto defend himself at
the Diet of Worms, 1521
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Why did Luther not end up at the stake like Jan
Hus a century earlier?
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Frederick III, Elector of Saxony
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Why did Luther have so much support in Germany?
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Why did Luther have so much support in Germany?

• German resentment of Italy
• Perception of church abuse and laxity
• Spiritual needs unmet by current piety
• Writings of Christian humanist reformers
• Printing and publishing
• Personal stance and actions
• German princes interests mesh with Luther

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Goals of the German princes. . .

• Stop flow of money to Roman church
• Limit jurisdiction of church courts
• Build sovereignty over northern territories
• Ensure social control (Luthers conservatism
  appealing to secular rulers)