The main arguments of the reformers come from a free and personal interpretation of the Bible.
The Protestants noticed the excesses of Catholic traditions. Martin Luther (1483-1546) in Germany and Jean Calvin (1509-1564) in France rejected the authority of the Church, which defines itself as the sole interpreter of the divine faith.
The pillars of Protestantism are expressed by the solae:
- The Bible is the supreme authority.
- Salvation is obtained by faith alone
Salvation is not the result of effort or merit.
- Jesus is the only mediator between men and God (rejection of papal authority)
- God is the only one to worship.
Luther found among some German princes support and protection to divulge his ideas. They also harbored grudges against the pope and the high clergy. Luther undertook to translate the Bible into German and the Reformation spread among the German principalities.
In England, Henry VIII proclaims himself "Supreme Head of the Church and Clergy" and breaks all diplomatic relations with Rome. In this situation of weakness of the Catholic Church, the Reform is spreading in Europe
The invention of printing by Gutenberg in 1450 allowed the transmission of new ideas and knowledge not only among scholars, but also among traders and artisans. Printing is the vector that will allow the exchange of new ideas.
