Turning Point 8: The English Act of Supremacy (1534)

The English Act of Supremacy (1534) is a major turning point in Church History according to Mark Noll, author of "Turning Points".

1. Brian M. SandiferBrian M. Sandifer 11
The English Act of Supremacy (1534)The English Act of Supremacy (1534)
Turning Point 8Turning Point 8
Decisive Moments in the History of ChristianityDecisive Moments in the History of Christianity

2. 22
Turning PointsTurning Points
in Christian Historyin Christian History
1.1.Fall of Jerusalem (70)Fall of Jerusalem (70)
2.2.Council of Nicaea (325)Council of Nicaea (325)
3.3.Council of Chalcedon (451)Council of Chalcedon (451)
4.4.Benedict’s Rule (530)Benedict’s Rule (530)
5.5.Coronation of Charlemagne Coronation of Charlemagne
(800)(800)
6.6.Great Schism (1054)Great Schism (1054)
Diet of Worms (1521)Diet of Worms (1521)
English Act of English Act of
Supremacy (1534)Supremacy (1534)
Founding of Jesuits (1540)Founding of Jesuits (1540)
Conversion of Wesleys Conversion of Wesleys
(1738)(1738)
French Revolution (1789)French Revolution (1789)
Edinburgh Missionary Edinburgh Missionary
Conference (1910)Conference (1910)

3. 33
The Characters in the StoryThe Characters in the Story
Henry VIII, King of EnglandHenry VIII, King of England
Catherine of Aragon, Queen of EnglandCatherine of Aragon, Queen of England
Anne Boleyn, Henry’s mistressAnne Boleyn, Henry’s mistress
Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Pope Clement, Bishop of RomePope Clement, Bishop of Rome
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of
CanterburyCanterbury

4. 44
Henry VIIIHenry VIII
King of EnglandKing of England
Without a male heirWithout a male heir
In pre-Elizabethan England this was In pre-Elizabethan England this was
unacceptableunacceptable
His wife, Catherine of Aragon, had not His wife, Catherine of Aragon, had not
birthed a son in 23 years of marriagebirthed a son in 23 years of marriage
Wanted a new wife to give him a son Wanted a new wife to give him a son
and heir to the throneand heir to the throne
In 1532 his mistress Anne Boleyn In 1532 his mistress Anne Boleyn
became pregnantbecame pregnant
Hence he needed permission from the Hence he needed permission from the
Pope to divorce his wife Catherine so Pope to divorce his wife Catherine so
he could marry Anne Boleynhe could marry Anne Boleyn

5. 55
Henry’s DilemmaHenry’s Dilemma
Pope Clement relied on Charles V for political Pope Clement relied on Charles V for political
supportsupport
Charles V’s aunt was Catherine of AragonCharles V’s aunt was Catherine of Aragon
Pope Clement VII Emperor Charles VCatherine of Aragon

6. 66
No Catholic DivorceNo Catholic Divorce
Charles V would not have his aunt’s honor Charles V would not have his aunt’s honor
violated by a divorceviolated by a divorce
So long as the pope owed his political So long as the pope owed his political
security to Charles V, he could not permit security to Charles V, he could not permit
Henry to divorce CatherineHenry to divorce Catherine
But what if Henry could secure a But what if Henry could secure a
“Christian” divorce apart from the Roman “Christian” divorce apart from the Roman
Catholic church?Catholic church?

7. 77
Birth of the Church of EnglandBirth of the Church of England
Henry VIII called upon Thomas Cranmer to Henry VIII called upon Thomas Cranmer to
grant him a divorce from Catherinegrant him a divorce from Catherine
Cranmer was willing, thus Henry broke the Cranmer was willing, thus Henry broke the
English Church away from the “universal” English Church away from the “universal”
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church
Henry VIII claimed himself (as king of England) Henry VIII claimed himself (as king of England)
as head of the Church of Englandas head of the Church of England
England’s Parliament and ecclesiastical courts England’s Parliament and ecclesiastical courts
supported this break from Rome and the popesupported this break from Rome and the pope

8. 88
The English Act of Supremacy The English Act of Supremacy
“…“…be it enacted by authority of this present be it enacted by authority of this present
Parliament, that the King our Sovereign Parliament, that the King our Sovereign
Lord, his heirs and successors, kings of Lord, his heirs and successors, kings of
this realm, shall be taken, accepted, and this realm, shall be taken, accepted, and
reputed the only Supreme Head on earth reputed the only Supreme Head on earth
of the Church of England, called of the Church of England, called Anglicana Anglicana
EcclesiaEcclesia;;…”…”

9. 99
The English Act of Supremacy The English Act of Supremacy
“…“…and shall have and enjoy, annexed and and shall have and enjoy, annexed and
united to the imperial crown of this realm, united to the imperial crown of this realm,
as well the style and title thereof, as all as well the style and title thereof, as all
honours, dignities, pre-eminences, honours, dignities, pre-eminences,
jurisdictions, privileges, authorities, jurisdictions, privileges, authorities,
immunities, profits, and commodities, to immunities, profits, and commodities, to
the said dignity of Supreme Head of the the said dignity of Supreme Head of the
same Church belonging and same Church belonging and
appertaining…appertaining…””

10. 1010
Why So Important?Why So Important?
Had a general effect on Christendom only Had a general effect on Christendom only
because it had a particular effect on because it had a particular effect on
EnglandEngland
Illustrates a powerful new trend in Illustrates a powerful new trend in
European Christianity in the 2European Christianity in the 2
ndnd
phase of phase of
the Reformationthe Reformation
Rise of self-consciously local, particular, and Rise of self-consciously local, particular, and
national forms of Christianitynational forms of Christianity

11. 1111
Contemporary Religious LandscapeContemporary Religious Landscape
More and more European regions were More and more European regions were
setting up their own distinct forms of the setting up their own distinct forms of the
Christian faithChristian faith
Not promoting toleration or religious Not promoting toleration or religious
pluralism in a modern sense, but were pluralism in a modern sense, but were
establishing small-scale alternatives to the establishing small-scale alternatives to the
universal Catholic Churchuniversal Catholic Church
Development forever changed the face of Development forever changed the face of
Christianity in the WestChristianity in the West

12. 1212
Questions for DiscussionQuestions for Discussion
What new basis of authority within What new basis of authority within
European Christianity was established with European Christianity was established with
the Act of Supremacy (1534)?the Act of Supremacy (1534)?
What kinds of effects have state churches What kinds of effects have state churches
had on spiritual health? On doctrine?had on spiritual health? On doctrine?

13. 1313
Forces Leading to the Breakup of Forces Leading to the Breakup of
the Western Churchthe Western Church
RegionalismRegionalism
NationalismNationalism
Tumultuous new Tumultuous new
patterns in economic patterns in economic
and social lifeand social life
Broad intellectual Broad intellectual
upheavalupheaval
Protestantism acted as an accelerator for these forces or Protestantism acted as an accelerator for these forces or
developments that were already well underway by 1517developments that were already well underway by 1517

14. 1414
Regional Political BackgroundRegional Political Background
Protestantism required local rulers and urban Protestantism required local rulers and urban
councils with the ability to act self-confidently councils with the ability to act self-confidently
and with a fair measure of independenceand with a fair measure of independence
Henry’s father (Henry VII) ended the War of the Henry’s father (Henry VII) ended the War of the
Roses thus extracting England from foreign Roses thus extracting England from foreign
entanglementsentanglements
Henry VII’s reign pacified rivals in the nobility Henry VII’s reign pacified rivals in the nobility
class and secured a firm line of succession for class and secured a firm line of succession for
the House of Tudorthe House of Tudor
Henry VII

15. 1515
Nationalism BackgroundNationalism Background
Increased concentrations of power around a Increased concentrations of power around a
central monarchial housecentral monarchial house
Spain: Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of CastileSpain: Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile
Subduing Moors of Muslim GrenadaSubduing Moors of Muslim Grenada
Sponsoring Columbus’s explorations to the new worldSponsoring Columbus’s explorations to the new world
France: expanding authorityFrance: expanding authority
Strengthening confidence of many German Strengthening confidence of many German
duchies, principalities, electorates, and imperial duchies, principalities, electorates, and imperial
citiescities
Assertions of local autonomy in some eastern Assertions of local autonomy in some eastern
European regionsEuropean regions
Growing tensions between local rulers and RCC Growing tensions between local rulers and RCC
emissariesemissaries

16. 1616
Economic BackgroundEconomic Background
Economic recovery since the Black Death of the Economic recovery since the Black Death of the
mid-14mid-14
thth
century century
Money was increasingly a point of friction Money was increasingly a point of friction
between the RC church and European countriesbetween the RC church and European countries
Conditions in England and Germany led to Conditions in England and Germany led to
ProtestantismProtestantism
Conditions in Italian city-states led to perpetual Conditions in Italian city-states led to perpetual
church-state squabbles while remaining Catholicchurch-state squabbles while remaining Catholic
Apart from Protestant theology, economic Apart from Protestant theology, economic
recovery created new centers of financial power, recovery created new centers of financial power,
new situations for potential friction, and new new situations for potential friction, and new
opportunities for fiscal resentmentopportunities for fiscal resentment

17. 1717
Social BackgroundSocial Background
Monarchs began aligning themselves with the Monarchs began aligning themselves with the
urban wealthy to counteract the power of landed urban wealthy to counteract the power of landed
nobilitynobility
Cities were increasingly socially volatile with the Cities were increasingly socially volatile with the
emergence of a new class consisting of emergence of a new class consisting of
merchants, lawyers, and master craftsmenmerchants, lawyers, and master craftsmen
Medieval serfdom became extinctMedieval serfdom became extinct
All levels of ecclesiastical authority were forced All levels of ecclesiastical authority were forced
to renegotiate the honored social status that had to renegotiate the honored social status that had
existed as the fabric of society for centuriesexisted as the fabric of society for centuries

18. 1818
Intellectual BackgroundIntellectual Background
Printing press increased pace of exchange Printing press increased pace of exchange
of ideasof ideas
Spread of the Renaissance from Southern Spread of the Renaissance from Southern
to Northern Europeto Northern Europe
Increasing desire to return to ancient Increasing desire to return to ancient
learning (pre-medieval thought): learning (pre-medieval thought): ad fontesad fontes
Latin and GreekLatin and Greek
Pagan and ChristianPagan and Christian
The BibleThe Bible

19. 1919
Questions for DiscussionQuestions for Discussion
Why might a person conclude that the Why might a person conclude that the
Reformation was simply a result of Reformation was simply a result of
political, social, and intellectual causes?political, social, and intellectual causes?
Why should we be wary of this approach?Why should we be wary of this approach?

20. 2020
Don’t Make These Mistakes!Don’t Make These Mistakes!
Interpret the dynamic cultural activity that accelerated Interpret the dynamic cultural activity that accelerated
throughout 15throughout 15
thth
century Europe as a mere anticipation century Europe as a mere anticipation
of the Reformationof the Reformation
Some developments would fit the ReformationSome developments would fit the Reformation
Some developments would fit the Counter-ReformationSome developments would fit the Counter-Reformation
Some developments would fit secularismSome developments would fit secularism
2.2.Interpret the motives of powerful leaders who became Interpret the motives of powerful leaders who became
Protestants as grabs at the land and influence of the RC Protestants as grabs at the land and influence of the RC
churchchurch
Both Protestants and Catholics explained their differences in Both Protestants and Catholics explained their differences in
religious termsreligious terms
Prots abandoned the RC church to pursue the way of salvationProts abandoned the RC church to pursue the way of salvation
Caths strengthen the church to combat the spiritual chaos Caths strengthen the church to combat the spiritual chaos
caused by Protscaused by Prots

21. 2121
Crises in the ChurchCrises in the Church
Avignon Papacy (Babylonian Captivity of the Church)Avignon Papacy (Babylonian Captivity of the Church)
Administrative improvement; spiritual regressAdministrative improvement; spiritual regress
Great Schism & the antipopesGreat Schism & the antipopes
Spiritual renewal occurring in monasteries did not Spiritual renewal occurring in monasteries did not
migrate well to churches or papacymigrate well to churches or papacy
Increasing preoccupation with international politicsIncreasing preoccupation with international politics
Persistent fascination with temporal advantage and Persistent fascination with temporal advantage and
dynastic influencedynastic influence
Persistent inattention to most basic questions of the Persistent inattention to most basic questions of the
Christian lifeChristian life
What must I do to be saved?What must I do to be saved?
Where can I find secure religious authority?Where can I find secure religious authority?
How should the church’s spiritual interests be balanced by the How should the church’s spiritual interests be balanced by the
need to live in the world?need to live in the world?

22. 2222
Protestant Answers to Basic Protestant Answers to Basic
QuestionsQuestions
1.1.What must I do to be saved?What must I do to be saved?
Trust by faith in the free grace of God active for the Trust by faith in the free grace of God active for the
justification of sinners in the work of Jesus Christjustification of sinners in the work of Jesus Christ
2.2.Where can I find secure religious authority?Where can I find secure religious authority?
The Bible is the sole final authority worthy of implicit The Bible is the sole final authority worthy of implicit
trusttrust
3.3.How should the church’s spiritual interests be How should the church’s spiritual interests be
balanced by the need to live in the world?balanced by the need to live in the world?
The Church is fundamentally a fellowship of priests, with The Church is fundamentally a fellowship of priests, with
all believers being called to seek God through the all believers being called to seek God through the
mediation of Christ, with all believers called to act as mediation of Christ, with all believers called to act as
Christ’s agents in the worldChrist’s agents in the world
The Church is a spiritual democracy (with certain The Church is a spiritual democracy (with certain
restrictions on who may preach and administer the restrictions on who may preach and administer the
sacraments)sacraments)

23. 2323
ProtestantismsProtestantisms
By 1540 hope faded for general reform in the By 1540 hope faded for general reform in the
entire churchentire church
Protestant leaders suddenly recognized the Protestant leaders suddenly recognized the
existence of separate Protestant churches in existence of separate Protestant churches in
separate parts of Europeseparate parts of Europe
Protestant churches were also separated by Protestant churches were also separated by
subtle yet important theological differences that subtle yet important theological differences that
no one had noticed during the early years of no one had noticed during the early years of
attempting to reform the RC churchattempting to reform the RC church
LutheranPresbyterian AnglicanAnabaptist

24. 2424
Different ProtestantismsDifferent Protestantisms
Differentiated by:Differentiated by:
Degree of support received from secular Degree of support received from secular
authoritiesauthorities
Erastianism on the “far right” (state controls the Erastianism on the “far right” (state controls the
pace of reform)pace of reform)
Lutheranism/Reformed in the “middle” (Church is Lutheranism/Reformed in the “middle” (Church is
autonomous but supported by the state)autonomous but supported by the state)
Anabaptism on the “far left” (rejected almost all Anabaptism on the “far left” (rejected almost all
church-state links)church-state links)
Christian doctrine and practiceChristian doctrine and practice

25. 2525
Protestant Doctrinal DifferencesProtestant Doctrinal Differences
Lutheran and Reformed doctrine of the Lord’s Lutheran and Reformed doctrine of the Lord’s
suppersupper
Consubstantiation (Lutheran) vs. memorial or spiritual Consubstantiation (Lutheran) vs. memorial or spiritual
presence (Reformed)presence (Reformed)
Scripture AloneScripture Alone
Is Scripture strictly speaking the only authority?Is Scripture strictly speaking the only authority?
Yes (Reformed and Anabaptists)Yes (Reformed and Anabaptists)
No (Lutherans)No (Lutherans)
If Scripture is ultimate authority, how should it be If Scripture is ultimate authority, how should it be
interpreted?interpreted?
Follow the broad themes of the gospel (Lutheran, Anglican)Follow the broad themes of the gospel (Lutheran, Anglican)
Follow NT commands literally, imitate the life of Christ, read Follow NT commands literally, imitate the life of Christ, read
the OT symbolically (Anabaptist)the OT symbolically (Anabaptist)
Follow Bible as a whole, especially tracing the covenant Follow Bible as a whole, especially tracing the covenant
through to NT realities like God covenanting with individuals, through to NT realities like God covenanting with individuals,
churches, nations (Reformed)churches, nations (Reformed)

26. 2626
Why Doctrine Divided Why Doctrine Divided
ProtestantsProtestants
Protestants discovered their differences of Protestants discovered their differences of
scriptural interpretation affected teaching on scriptural interpretation affected teaching on
almost every major Protestant issuealmost every major Protestant issue
Meaning of sacramentsMeaning of sacraments
Who properly receives the sacramentsWho properly receives the sacraments
What is required to have sins forgiven after baptismWhat is required to have sins forgiven after baptism
What is proper kind of church musicWhat is proper kind of church music
Proper for Christians to serve in military or secular Proper for Christians to serve in military or secular
gov’tgov’t
How local and regional churches should be organizedHow local and regional churches should be organized
Whether RC mass should be modified or discardedWhether RC mass should be modified or discarded
Whether to promote education in the traditional Whether to promote education in the traditional
liberal artsliberal arts

27. 2727
Paradox of ProtestantismsParadox of Protestantisms
Created conditions in which local renewal of the Created conditions in which local renewal of the
faith could take place more readily and stir faith could take place more readily and stir
hearts more deeply than in the Catholic regions hearts more deeply than in the Catholic regions
of Europeof Europe
Created conditions that hastened the Created conditions that hastened the
secularization of Europe, because without a secularization of Europe, because without a
universal church people were indirectly or universal church people were indirectly or
directly encouraged to disregard all traditional directly encouraged to disregard all traditional
authority and to think and act on their ownauthority and to think and act on their own
RC church’s recommitment to the universality of RC church’s recommitment to the universality of
the church created conditions for preserving the church created conditions for preserving
traditional European respect for religious traditional European respect for religious
authority, the revelation of God found in authority, the revelation of God found in
Scriptures, and Christian tradition itselfScriptures, and Christian tradition itself

28. 2828
Application for Today’s ChurchApplication for Today’s Church
What were the primary issues that tended What were the primary issues that tended
to differentiate one brand of Protestantism to differentiate one brand of Protestantism
from another?from another?
Do these issues still divide denominations Do these issues still divide denominations
today, or have they been replaced by today, or have they been replaced by
other points of distinction?other points of distinction?

29. 2929
Henry VIII’s MarriagesHenry VIII’s Marriages
A little advice Henry:
“Let thy fountain be
blessed: and rejoice
with the wife of thy
youth” (Prov 5:18).