The Reformation of the Catholic Church

• The Pope
• Cardinals
• Archibishops
• Bishops

(Monastic Life)

• Abbots (head/chief monk in a monastry)
• Hermits
• Monks
• Pilgrims
• Vicar (held a number of congregations)
• Flagellants
• Priest (carried the monstrance which held the bread)

(Priest's Attendants)

• Deacons (carried a bell)
• Acolytes (carried a light and water to sprinkle over the congregation)

• The Church was becoming too worldly instead of spiritual (too involved in politics).
• Pope wasn't spending enough time being godly, too involved in politics.
• Abbots too fancily dressed and too well fed (keeping tributes for themselves?), and the monastries were becoming wealthier.
• Those within the church weren't taking or following vows of chastity, poverty, obedience etc (greedy for power and money).
• Clergy more interested in their personal status within the church than they were in ministering to a flock. Nepotism (passing positions to family, esp in case of Pope), holding multiple offices and places of authority (so more money), the purchase of offices, also poorly trained and unlearned.
• Letters of indulgence too easily bought and no body actually carrying out the required action anymore, just simply buying them. So, wealthy people able to buy more favour in church as they could donate money to elevate family members from purgatory. This happening since 15th century.

Martin Luther handwrote in Latin (so only certain people could read it) a list of 95 questions and nailed it on the door of the church that was part of the castle in Wittenberg in 1517. The theatre of this, along with the level of support they recieved, and the printing press, meant they were printed and sent all over the world. He was excommunicated and labelled a heretic by the Catholic Church and they attempted to reduce his support through propaganda. But, a rival church was soon established, the Lutheran Church.

• Grace alone: We must all recognise we're sinful, but we all have God's grace no matter the wealth or position.Jesus was sent to help eradicate the sins of man.
• Faith alone (sola fide): Those who hear the Good News (Christ suffered and died for all sinners) and believe it have God's forgiveness and eternal life.
• Scripture alone (sola scriptura): Reading the scripture is important, you don't need to listen to everything the Catholic Church says.
• Predestination: All events have been willed by God; there's no purgatory, only salvation or damnation.

• The Priesthood of all Believers: There's no special role for those ordained in Holy Orders, meaning there's no confessions or purgatory etc.
• The Word of God: As many as possible should have direct access to the Word, so should be printed in vernacular etc. Focus should be placed on the word rather than ceremonies, rites and rituals etc. Nothing should distract from the Word, so churches should be less ornate and have fewer images.
• Faith alone, not good works, earn salvation. So, no superstitious icons, relics, pilgrimage, magical healing and amulets etc.

Calvinism was a development of Lutheranism. It doesn't follow exactly Calvin's writings, but is a development of it. Calvinist Churches were very plain with no decorations, and maybe a few stained glass windows with coats of arms of saints and local families on them. The Word of God was placed on the walls rather than in images.

• Total depravity: Understanding our total depravity (sinfulness) is essential to fully appreciate God's grace in rescuing sinners from the punishment they deserve.
• Unconditional Election: God rescues sinners entirely due to His own will and good pleasure. God saves according to His grace, it's nothing to do with our actions.
• Limited atonement: Jesus' death on the cross only made salvation definite for the elect, no body else.
• Irresistable grace: All who are called by God to believe in Jesus will be saved.
• Perseverance on the Saints: Once a person is truly saved, this salvation is eternally secure.

There are 2 cultural implications of TULIP. These are the 'Elect' and the 'Reprobate'. The Elect are always the minority and have a constant feeling of being besieged by the majority. The reprobate are the vast majority of people who have been predestined by God not to be saved. The Elect can recognise the Reprobate because of their behaviour and demeanor, and their wilful rejection of godliness.