Chapter 3 Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods, 1500-1750

1. Chapter 3Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods, 1500-1750 Alister E. McGrath Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought

2. Reformation – or Reformations? • A clarification of terms • The German Reformation (Lutheranism) • The Swiss Reformation (Calvinism/Reformed) • The radical Reformation (Anabaptism) • The English Reformation (Anglicanism) • The Catholic Reformation (Counter-Reformation) • Second Reformation

3. The German Reformation – Lutheranism • Martin Luther, 1522 • The Swiss Reformation – the Reformed church • Institutional, ethical, and social reform • John Calvin – Geneva, 1550s • The radical Reformation – Anabaptism • Anabaptist = rebaptizer • sola scriptura • The English Reformation – Anglicanism • Henry VIII, 1527 • The Elizabethan settlement (1558-9) • The Catholic Reformation • Council of Trent, 1545 • Protestant Orthodoxy (1559-1622) • Confessionalization

4. Post-Reformation movements • The consolidation of Catholicism • Council of Trent (1545-63) • Continuity and constancy – semper eadem • Puritanism • Version of Reformed Orthodoxy in 16th-century England • Richard Baxter (1615-91) • American Jonathan Edwards (1703-58) • Pietism • Philip JakobSpener, Piadesideria, 1675 • Nikolaus Ludwig Graf von Zinzendorf (1700-60) – “religion of the heart” • John Wesley (1703-91) – “living faith”

5. Key theologians • Martin Luther (1483-1546) • University of Wittenberg • Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) • Zurich • John Calvin (1509-64) • Geneva • Teresa of Avilà (1515-82) • Mystical theology

6. Theodore Beza (1519-1605) • Genevan Academy • Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) • Lutheran Orthodoxy (Loci communes) • Roberto Bellarmine • Catholic theology • Jonathan Edwards (1703-58) • America’s great theologian

7. Key theological developments • The sources of theology • Scripture and tradition • The doctrine of grace • Justification by faith • Unconditional election • The doctrine of the sacraments • Outward signs of the invisible grace of God • The doctrine of the church

8. Developments in theological literature • Catechisms • Luther’s Greater and Lesser Catechisms • Calvin’s Geneva Catechism • Catholic catechisms • Confessions of faith • Scripture, creeds, confessions • Works of systematic theology • Philip Melanchthon, Loci communes (1521) • Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536-59) • Roberto Bellarmine, “Disputations concerning the controversies of the Christian faith against the heretics of this age” (1586)

9. Case study 3.1 Bible and tradition in the Reformation debates • The canon of Scripture • The Old Testament and the Apocrypha • The authority of Scripture • Catholic theologians: the church “presides over the Word of God” • Protestant reformers: the church “reverently subjects herself to the Word of God” • Historical continuity (Catholics) or doctrinal continuity (Protestants)

10. The role of tradition • Tradition 0: radical Reformation • rejection of tradition • Tradition 1: magisterial Reformation • traditional way of interpreting Scripture within the community of faith • Tradition 2: Council of Trent • tradition as separate, equally authoritative source of revelation • The Catholic position • Scripture and tradition of equal authority • Apocrypha & Vulgate • Authority of the church to interpret Scripture • The translation of the Bible • The vernacular (e.g., German) or Latin

11. Case study 3.2 Justification by faith: Protestantism and the Council of Trent • Justification = entering into right relationship with God • Martin Luther • The righteousness of God = a righteousness that God gives sinners as a gift • Luther’s view of faith • Luther v. Augustine: the “alien righteousness of Christ” • Forensic justification: Philip Melanchthon and John Calvin • Justification and sanctification/regeneration • The Council of Trent • The nature of justification • The nature of justifying righteousness • The nature of justifying faith • The assurance of salvation

12. Case study 3.3 The nature of the real presence: Luther, Zwingli, and the Council of Trent • Transubstantiation • Aristotle – substance and accident • Luther: consubstantiation • Christ’s real presence • Zwingli: memorialism • This “is” my body = this signifies my body • Eucharist as a pledge • Commemoration of Christ in his absence

13. Case study 3.4 The debate over infant baptism • The New Testament • Origins of infant baptism • Martin Luther • Baptism generates faith • Huldrych Zwingli • Baptism as circumcision (rite of belonging) • Anabaptism: Menno Simons • Return to authentic apostolic Christianity • Outward sign of inward spiritual reality – the faith of the believer

14. Case study 3.5 The doctrine of the church: Trends within Protestantism • Catholic view of the church: visible, historic, continuity with apostles • Radical Reformation: the true church in heaven • Magisterial Reformation: a middle ground • Temporary schism? • Martin Luther: central role of the Word of God • The radical Reformation: the true church concealed until the end of time • Augustine: the wheat and the weeds • John Calvin: the Word of God preached, the sacraments rightly administered • The visible and invisible church

15. Case study 3.6 Theology and astronomy: The Copernican and Galileian debates • Nicholas Copernicus, 1543 • The heliocentric view and the Bible • Literal approach • Allegorical approach • Accommodation • John Calvin’s contributions • Galileo Galilei’s condemnation • Paolo Antonio Foscarini, 1615 • Innovations rejected – unchangeability of the Catholic tradition