The Reformation

This course examines the sixteenth-century Reformation and the Catholic Church’s response, the so-called Counter-Reformation, in continental Europe. It places the Reformation in its historical and cultural context, beginning with the study of the late medieval Church and its self-perceived problems and deficiencies. It then analyzes the way in which different reformers proposed to address and solve those problems and deficiencies. The story of England is excluded here. The fact that it was the king (Henry VIII), who spearheaded the Reformation efforts there as well as his unique motivation for overthrowing papal authority (his need for divorce) make for an entirely different narrative, one that would make the present course entirely too long while adding little to our understanding of the Reformation’s debates, conflicts and consequences.

The course begins with a sketch of the fifteenth century Church, its leading thinkers and prevalent traditions, highlighting some of the ongoing abuses and internal conflicts, many of which surfaced again in the sixteenth century. In unit 2, we turn to the first attempts at reforming the perceived abuses as exemplified by the magisterial reformers, Martin Luther, John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli, discussing their reform efforts, successes and disagreements. In unit 3, we consider the Church’s response to those efforts, both internal and external, and its attempts to stay the growing influence of Protestant ideas. But there was little agreement among the Protestant reformers, and unit 4 is dedicated to the main events and controversies of the radical reformers, that is reformers who thought that the mainstream (magisterial) reforms made too many concessions to political considerations and were more interested in keeping the peace than in promoting “true belief.” In unit 5, we consider the Church’s response to the three decades of reform as encapsulated in the decisions of the council of Trent, sketching the outlines of post-Tridentine Catholicism and exploring some of the intended and unintended consequences of the Protestant Reformation.

In addition to key figures and events, the lectures delve into the most important and divisive theological issues of the day: salvation, the Bible, sin and grace, and the nature of authority in the Church. All lectures are organized around readings from primary sources. This allows the sixteenth-century actors to speak in their own voices and helps students appreciate them as fellow believers on a quest for religious truth.

Course Content

Unit 1: Reformation in Context: Late Medieval Christianity

• Late Medieval Papacy
• Late Medieval Church: Practice and Spirituality
• Christian Humanism and Desiderius Erasmus

Unit 2: Magisterial Protestantism: Main Leaders and Foundational Principles

• Martin Luther and Justification by Faith Alone
• John Calvin and the Doctrine of Predestination
• Ulrich Zwingli and the Limits of sola scriptura

Unit 3: The Church’s Response: Renewal and Counter-Reformation

• Catholic Renewal
• New Religious Orders and Confraternities: Ignatius of Loyola and the Society of Jesus

Unit 4: Discontent with the Protestant Mainstream and the Rise of the Radical Reformation

• Radical Reformation and the Emergence of Anabaptism
• The Muenster Rebellion, Menno Simons and the Dutch Mennonites

Unit 5: The Council of Trent and the Unintended Consequences of the Reformation

• The Council of Trent: Extirpation of Heresy and Moral Renewal
• The Golden Age for Religious Orders and New Mystical Voices in the Church
• Confessionalization, Wars of Religion and the Unintended Consequences of the Reformation

Course Format

• Six weeks in duration, with one week for orientation.
• Typically 15-20 students in each course.
• All readings available online in course.
• Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links provided for all readings.
• Written assignments (200-250 words) required.
• Facilitator moderated Zoom sessions with students in course.

Required Texts

• All course materials are available online in the course.

Participation Requirements

• Read assigned lecture text and primary sources; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussion.
• Participate in the class discussion using the Forums area: post at least 2 comments, questions, or responses per unit.
• Respond to the assignment in each unit.
• Participate in at least 3 scheduled Zoom sessions throughout the course.
• Complete the course evaluation.

Time Expectations

4 to 6 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.

Course Certificate

A certificate of completion awarding 30 contact hours will be sent upon completion of all course requirements.