3.2 Spread of Reformed Traditions: Calvinism and Anglicanism

The Protestant Reformation sparked diverse interpretations of Christianity. Calvinism, founded by John Calvin, emphasized God's sovereignty and predestination. It spread across Europe, influencing religious and social life in Geneva, France, and beyond.

The Anglican Church emerged from Henry VIII's break with Rome. It blended Catholic and Protestant elements, with the monarch as its head. This unique compromise shaped England's religious landscape and sparked further reforms like Puritanism.

John Calvin and Calvinism

John Calvin's Theology and Influence

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• John Calvin was a French theologian and a key figure in the development of the Reformed tradition of Protestantism
• Developed a systematic theology that emphasized the sovereignty of God, the authority of scripture, and the doctrine of predestination
• Calvin's teachings spread throughout Europe, particularly in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and Scotland, shaping the Reformed tradition

Predestination and Its Implications

• Predestination is the belief that God has already determined who will be saved (the elect) and who will be damned
• This doctrine emphasized God's sovereignty and the idea that salvation is a gift from God, not earned through good works
• The concept of predestination had a significant impact on Calvinist thought and practice, leading to a strong emphasis on moral discipline and the pursuit of godly living

Geneva as a Model Calvinist City

• Calvin established a theocratic government in Geneva, Switzerland, where church and state were closely intertwined
• Geneva became a model for other Calvinist communities, with a strong emphasis on moral discipline, education, and social welfare
• The Genevan Academy, founded by Calvin, became a center for Reformed theological training and attracted students from across Europe

Huguenots and the French Wars of Religion

• Huguenots were French Protestants who adopted Calvinist teachings
• Religious tensions between Huguenots and Catholics led to a series of wars in France (French Wars of Religion) from 1562 to 1598
• The Edict of Nantes (1598) granted the Huguenots religious toleration and ended the wars, but it was later revoked by Louis XIV in 1685, leading to the persecution and emigration of many Huguenots

Anglican Church

Henry VIII and the English Reformation

• Henry VIII initially opposed the Protestant Reformation and was given the title "Defender of the Faith" by the Pope for his defense of Catholicism
• Henry's desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn led to a break with the Roman Catholic Church
• The English Reformation was driven more by political and personal factors than theological ones

Establishment of the Church of England

• The Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, was established as a separate entity from the Roman Catholic Church
• The Church of England maintained many Catholic practices and structures, such as the episcopacy and the use of the Book of Common Prayer
• The monarch became the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, with authority over church matters

Act of Supremacy and Royal Supremacy

• The Act of Supremacy (1534) declared the English monarch to be the Supreme Head of the Church of England
• This act effectively severed ties with the Roman Catholic Church and established the principle of royal supremacy over the church
• The monarch had the power to appoint bishops, determine church doctrine, and enforce religious uniformity

Elizabeth I and the Elizabethan Settlement

• Elizabeth I, Henry VIII's daughter, sought to establish a middle ground between Catholicism and Protestantism
• The Elizabethan Settlement (1559) established the Church of England as a Protestant church with some Catholic elements retained (via the Act of Uniformity and the Act of Supremacy)
• This compromise helped to stabilize religion in England and reduce religious tensions, although it did not satisfy all Protestants, particularly the Puritans

Puritans and Religious Dissent

Puritans and Their Beliefs

• Puritans were English Protestants who sought to "purify" the Church of England from remaining Catholic influences
• They emphasized personal faith, moral discipline, and the importance of scripture in guiding religious practice
• Puritans believed in predestination and the idea that success in worldly affairs was a sign of God's favor (the "Protestant work ethic")

Religious Persecution and Conformity

• The English monarchy, particularly under Elizabeth I and James I, sought to enforce religious conformity and suppress dissent
• Puritans and other dissenters faced persecution, fines, and imprisonment for refusing to conform to the Church of England's practices
• Some Puritans, known as Separatists, advocated for a complete break from the Church of England and the establishment of independent congregations

Separatists and the Pilgrims

• Separatists, such as the Pilgrims, believed that the Church of England was too corrupt to be reformed from within
• Faced with persecution, some Separatists fled England and settled in the Netherlands before eventually traveling to the New World
• The Pilgrims established the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts in 1620, seeking religious freedom and the opportunity to create a godly community based on their beliefs