Church History

Lesson 11Births of the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches: Mid-1500's A.D.

In the last lesson, we looked at the Reformation and the role that Martin Luther played. You will recall that we discussed how reformation had already begun in many areas prior to Martin Luther, one of those being Switzerland. Specifically, we spoke of Zwingli, the leader of the Reformation in Switzerland, meeting with Martin Luther and agreeing on 14 of Luther’s 15 Reformation Proposals. The one they could not agree on centered on the celebration of Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, and whether the elements actually became or were surrounded by Christ Himself (Luther’s Consubstantiation), or whether they were indeed simply symbols (Zwingli’s reformed position).

Bible

In this lesson, we’ll look at John Calvin, John Knox, some other church leaders, and the Puritans. We will also examine the formation of two new Churches -- the Anglican Church and the Presbyterian Church. In the next lesson, we’ll conclude our study by looking at the establishment of Churches in North America.

So once again, grab a good reference tool and consider the following:

  1. Who founded Presbyterianism?
  2. What is Presbyterianism?
  3. In Scotland, Patrick Hamilton (1503-1528) and George Wishart (1513-1546) were both burned to death for religious reasons. What did they each do?
  4. Influenced by George Wishart and a copy of Tyndale’s New Testament was a man named John Knox of Scotland. Why is he an important figure in church history?
  5. In 1558, Knox published “The First Blast of The Trumpet Against The Monstrous Regiment of Women.” What was he writing about?
  6. Who were William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale?
  7. What role did King Henry the VIII play in the creation of the Anglican Church of England?
  8. What did Henry the VIII authorize in 1536?
  9. Scotland, Wales, and England now found themselves firmly in the middle of the Reformation movement. What was happening meanwhile in Ireland?
  10. In 1560, how did the Puritans get their name?
  11. In 1570, Thomas Cartwright, a Puritan Leader, opposed the Anglican approach of governing the church by Bishops. What did he propose instead?

So clearly now we can see the building blocks of the reformation movement and the establishment of the Protestant Faith beginning before Martin Luther, and building successively each upon the other. Next week the Church comes to North America.

Thanks to each of you once more for your continued commitment to this study. May God richly bless you this week as you continue to study with us.

In Christ,

Wes

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