All Religious Events
Mosaic LawThe Law of Moses generally refers to the first five books of the Bible which are traditionally thought to have been authored by Moses. In addition to ... more
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Babylonian CaptivityThis phrase is used to describe three events: 1) the captivity of ancient Israel and exile to Babylon as related in the Old Testament; 2) the years wh... more I
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Maccabean Revolt(167–160 B.C.) A Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid Empire which resulted in an independent Judean state which sought to diminish Hellenistic inf... more
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Crucifixion(A.D. 30) Jesus is crucified. more
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Day of PentecostAfter the crucifixion of Christ, when the Apostles and Christ’s followers were gathered in Jerusalem celebrating the Jewish Feast of Weeks, the Holy... more
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Paul’s Epistles(A.D. 50–64) The Apostle Paul writes letters which become the earliest writings recorded in the New Testament. more
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Council of Jerusalem(c. A.D. 50) This council was called to resolve a dispute regarding the obligations of the burgeoning numbers of Gentile converts. After hearing from ... more
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Gospel of Mark(A.D. 65) The earliest date that scholars believe the book of Mark was written, which is generally regarded as the first of the Four Gospels. Some sch... more
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Clement, First Letter of(c. A.D. 70–140) A letter written to the church in Corinth from the church in Rome, it addresses the need to support local ecclesiastical leaders af... more
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Jerusalem Temple Destroyed(A.D. 70) The Roman Army destroys the Jerusalem and the temple while quashing the Great Jewish Revolt. more
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Gospels of Matthew, Luke & John(A.D. 75–95) The timeframe scholars generally allocate for the composition of the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John. more
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Bar Kokhba Revolt(A.D. 132–136) A major Jewish revolt resulting from the construction of a Roman colony on the ruins of Jerusalem, with a temple to Jupiter being bui... more
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Valentinus rejected(A.D. 145) Valentinus travels to Rome in hopes of becoming its next bishop but is rejected. more
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Justin Martyr’s 1st ApologyJustin Martyr writes his First Apology and his Dialogue with Trypho. more
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Christological Controversy(c. A.D. 150–681) During the 2nd Century disputes began in the Christian Church regarding the nature of Christ and his relation to the Father and Ho... more
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Justin Martyr’s 2nd ApologyJustin Martyr writes his Second Apology. more
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Irenaeus(c. A.D. 120–200) Bishop of Lyon, the most important Christian theologian of the 2nd century; author of a large work, Against Heresies. more – Against HeresiesA five volume book written by Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon, around AD 185 to combat the Gnostic influence in the Church. It sets forth a three part test t... more
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Origen begins teaching(c. A.D. 202) Origen begins his teaching career at age 17 by becoming head of the catechetical school in Alexandria. more
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Mirian III(c. A.D. 277–361) Mirian III was king of Kartli (in modern day Georgia) who converted to Christianity and adopted it has the official religion of hi... more
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Donatist Controversyinvolves a controversy arising in Carthage at the beginning of the 4th century and lasted until the 6th century. The dispute centered on the legitimac... more
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Edict of Milan(A.D. 313) Emperor Constantine I and Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan which expanded on the Edict of Toleration (Edict of Serdica) and grant... more
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Council of ArlesThe first Council of Arles was held in 314 to deal with the Donatist controversy regarding the right of local churches to reject bishops due to allege... more
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Arian ControversyAn extension of Logos subordinational theology advocated by Arius, a 4th century priest in Alexandrian, which asserted that Christ was simply a creati... more
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Council in AlexandriaVarious local councils were held in Alexandria A.D. 306 to A.D. 633. The two most notable were the council held in A.D. 321 where the Arian Controvers... more
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First Council of Nicaea(A.D. 325) The First Council of Nicaea (the first ecumenical council) condemns the teaching of Arius and approves a creed containing the homoousios cl... more
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Council of Tyre(A.D. 335) Athanasius was deposed as Bishop of Alexandria by Arian sympathizers for using arms to enforce the Nicene creed at a local council held in ... more
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Council of Antioch(A.D. 341) A council involving approximately 100 Eastern bishops which attempted to displace the orthodox Nicene theology with a modified Arianism whi... more
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Council of Sardica(A.D. 343) The Council of Sardica was convened in an attempt to resolve the Arian controversy. However, it was a complete failure with no meaningful p... more
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Council of Milan(A.D. 355) Emperor Constantine declared, “What I will, let that be a canon,” or a law for the Church. more
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First Council of Constantinople(A.D. 381) The First Council of Constantinople (the second ecumenical council) approves an expanded version of the creed of Nicaea, which is today cal... more
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Constantinople Creed(A.D. 381) Adopted at the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed expands and elaborates upon the original Ni... more
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Council of Aquileia(A.D. 381) A council regarding the Arian teachings of two deposed Bishops from the Eastern Roman Empire. Organized by Ambrose, the council was attende... more
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Augustine begins writing(A.D. 385) Thirty-one-year-old Augustine converts to Christianity and begins writing Christian theological works. more
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Councils of Carthagelocal councils of the Church with two of the most notable being the council held in 397 that listed the canon of scripture as the same currently accep... more
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Council in AlexandriaVarious local councils were held in Alexandria A.D. 306 to A.D. 633. The two most notable were the council held in A.D. 321 where the Arian Controvers... more
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Council of Ephesus(431 A.D.) The Council of Ephesus (the third ecumenical council), led by Cyril of Alexandria, condemns Nestorius and his Christology; the council emph... more
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Robber CouncilPope Leo I referred to the Second Council of Ephesus as the “Robber Council” for allegedly taking action without proper representation from variou... more
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Second Council of Ephesus(A.D. 449) Convened by Emperor Theodosius II, this council addressed a dispute about the nature of Christ, ultimately rejecting Nestorianism which str... more
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Council of Chalcedona council held in Chalcedon in A.D. 451 to deal with the Nestorian controversy regarding the nature and incarnation of Christ. Some eastern churches o... more
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First Council of Lyon(A.D. 475) The concept of predestination as taught by Augustine was condemned. Subsequent councils, particularly the Council of Orange (A.D. 592) adop... more
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Acacian Schisma separation between the western church in Rome and the eastern church in the Byzantine empire that lasted 34 years between A.D. 484-519. more
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Second Council of Constantinople(A.D. 553) The Second Council of Constantinople which is generally accepted as the fifth ecumenical council, follows a Cyrillian interpretation of the... more
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Third Council of Toledo(A.D. 589) In this council, the Visigothic kingdom in Spain accepted the Roman Catholic faith and repudiated its Arian tradition. more
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Council of Orange(A.D. 592) Adopted modified versions of Augustine’s ideas regarding grace and original sin as official doctrine and condemned Pelagianism. more
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Third Council of Constantinople duel nature of Christ(A.D. 681) The Third Council of Constantinople, which is generally accepted to be the sixth ecumenical council, rejects the teaching that there is onl... more
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Second Council of Nicaea & Veneration of icons(A.D. 787) The Second Council of Nicaea, which is generally accepted to be the seventh ecumenical council, rejects iconoclasm and declares that people... more
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Great Divorce Eastern & Western Church(A.D. 1054) Western and Eastern churches official split resulting in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. more
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Gregory VII & Henry IV(A.D. 1076–1084) The conflict between Pope Gregory VII and the Emperor Henry IV regarding lay investiture. more
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Anselm becomes the archbishop of Canterbury(A.D. 1093) more
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Council of Clermont(A.D. 1095) Led by Pope Urban II, this council included the call to arms for the First Crusade and reaffirmed several ongoing matters within the Weste... more
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Council of Verona(A.D. 1184) The inquisition began at the Council of Verona when bishops were directed to search out heretics in the district and to turn them over to ... more
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England a fief of the pope(A.D. 1213) King John of England makes England a fief of the pope after Pope Innocent III excommunicates him and places the country under interdict. more
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4th Lateran council(A.D. 1215) The fourth Lateran council meeting at Rome establishes the medieval sacramental system, including the obligation of private confession and... more & the Sacraments
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Council of Toulouse(A.D. 1229) A council called to address a growing neo-gnostic movement in southern France known as the Albigensians. The council concluded that nobody... more
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Medieval InquisitionThe first of the primary inquisitions was the medieval, which began in 13th century). more
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Thomas Aquinas begins teaching(A.D. 1256) Thomas Aquinas begins teaching at the University of Paris. more
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Second Council of Lyons(A.D. 1272–1274) Convened by Pope Gregory X, this council addressed issues relating to the Crusades and temporarily achieved a union with the Easter... more
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Bull Unam SanctamIs the title of a bull issued by Boniface VIII (A.D. 1302) that declared the superiority of the pope over all powers (secular as well as spiritual) on... more
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Babylonian CaptivityThis phrase is used to describe three events: 1) the captivity of ancient Israel and exile to Babylon as related in the Old Testament; 2) the years wh... more II
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Avignon Papacy(A.D. 1309–1377) The pope moves to resides in the French city of Avignon rather than Rome creating the period known as the “Babylonian Captivity... more
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Council of Olmutz(A.D. 1318) Decided that infants should be baptized soon after birth. (Canon 19). more
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Council of Salamanca(A.D. 1335) Reaffirmed Council of Olmutz decision that infants should be baptized soon after birth. (Canon 6) more
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Great Schismrefers to the period between A.D. 1378 and 1417 when multiple individuals claimed to be the rightful pope, which ended with the Council of Constance. more
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Council of Pisa(A.D. 1409) A controversial council which attempted to end the Western Schism by convening a College of Cardinals composed of members appointed by bot... more
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Council of Constance(A.D. 1414 – 1418) This council was held between 1414 and 1418 that finally ended the Great Schism. The council deposed two of the three popes and a... more ends the Great Schismrefers to the period between A.D. 1378 and 1417 when multiple individuals claimed to be the rightful pope, which ended with the Council of Constance. more
A.D. 1414–1418 The Council of Constance(A.D. 1414 – 1418) This council was held between 1414 and 1418 that finally ended the Great Schismrefers to the period between A.D. 1378 and 1417 when multiple individuals claimed to be the rightful pope, which ended with the Council of Constance. more. The council deposed two of the three popes and a... more ends the Great Schismrefers to the period between A.D. 1378 and 1417 when multiple individuals claimed to be the rightful popeThe Roman Catholic bishop of Rome who is regarded as the successor of the chief apostle, Peter, and as the Vicar of Christ is the holder of the Aposto... more, which ended with the Council of Constance(A.D. 1414 – 1418) This council was held between 1414 and 1418 that finally ended the Great Schism. The council deposed two of the three popes and a... more. more of rival popes by appointing a new popeThe Roman Catholic bishopA person holding the ecclesiastical office that exerciseds authority over the laity and priests in a geographical area called a “diocese” where th... more of Rome who is regarded as the successor of the chief apostle, PeterPeter (c. A.D. 1–65) was a Jewish fisherman, chosen by Jesus to be one of his 12 Apostles. Peter was a critical witness to many events in Jesus’ l... more, and as the Vicar of ChristDerived from a Greek term meaning anointed and is equivalent to the word “messiah” from Hebrew roots. The anointing references the act of installi... more is the holder of the Aposto... more,…
Council of Baslea council held in Basle in 1437 near the end of the Great Schism that highlighted the power struggle between popes and counsels. It involved a dispute... more
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Council of Ferrara-Florence(A.D 1438–1445) This council sought to reunify the Eastern and Western churches. It ended with success as the Greek delegation accepted several crit... more
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Council of Florence defines sacraments(A.D. 1439) The Council of Florence further defines the medieval sacramental system specifies all seven sacraments. more
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Spanish Inquisition(A.D. 1478) Ferdinand and Isabella begin the Spanish Inquisition to establish and maintain Catholic orthodoxy in the Iberian Peninsula. more
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Pazzi Conspiracy(A.D. 1478) The Pazzi Conspiracy, where the pope (Sixtus IV) was part of the conspiracy to murder Lorenzo and Guiliano de Medici, but Lorenzo survives... more
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Oratory of Divine Love(A.D. 1497) The Oratory of Divine Love is founded in Genoa. more is founded in Genoa
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Luther Bachelor’s degree(A.D. 1502) Luther obtains his Bachelor's degree at the University of Erfurt. more
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ReformationA revolutionary religious movement during the 16th century Europe that initially sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church but led to the emergence o... more
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Julius II “the Terrifying”(A.D. 1503–1513) Reign of Pope Julius II who was called the "warrior pope" and "the Terrifying" ("il Terribile"). more
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Erasmus Christian Soldier(A.D. 1503) Erasmus’s Handbook of a Christian Soldier is published. more
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Luther Master’s degree(January 1505) Luther receives his Master's degree from the University of Erfurt. more
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Luther becomes a monk(July 1505) Following a vow made in a thunderstorm, Martin Luther joins the Observant Augustinians order and enters the monastery. more
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Indulgences(A.D. 1506) Pope Julius II lays the foundation of a new St. Peter’s basilica in the Vatican, which was funded in part by indulgences sold in Germany... more
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Luther becomes a priest(A.D. 1507) Luther is ordained a priest and says his first Mass. more
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Michelangelo(A.D. 1508) Pope Julius II commissions Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. more
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Luther visits Rome(A.D. 1508) Luther visits Rome and is disgusted by its corruption and decadence. He questions whether pilgrimages to Rome do any spiritual good. more
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Luther a professor(A.D. 1508) Luther is appointed a professor at the University of Wittenberg. more
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Luther moves to Wittenberg(A.D. 1511) Luther moves from Erfurt to the University of Wittenberg. more
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Reign of Pope Leo X(A.D. 1513–1521) Reign of Pope Leo X. more
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Peasant Revolt(A.D. 1513) One in a series of German peasant revolts leading to the Great Peasants’ War of 1524–1525. more
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Luther becomes town preacher(A.D. 1514) Luther is appointed town preacher at Wittenberg. more
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Erasmus New Testament(A.D. 1516) Erasmus publishes the first printed edition of the New Testament that is critical of the official Vulgate translation. Luther uses it in h... more
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Luther posts his 95 Theses(October 31, 1517) Luther posts his Ninety-five Theses on the church door in Wittenberg announcing an academic disputation (debate) about the theology... more
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Luther and Cajetan(A.D. 1518) Luther submits to a formal interview with Cardinal Cajetan at the end of the imperial Diet at Augsburg and refuses to recant. more
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Diet of Augsburg(A.D. 1530) The Diet, resembling a form of Medieval Great Council for the Holy Roman Empire, was convened irregularly at different locations. Notably,... more
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Zwingli begins Preaching(January 1519) Huldrych Zwingli begins preaching in Zurich (January). more
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Charles V becomes Emperor(A.D. 1519) Charles V is elected Holy Roman Emperor (June). more
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Luther debates Eck(June-July 1519) Luther debates Johann Eck at the Leipzig Disputation who pushes Luther toward the doctrine of scripture alone (“sola scriptura”) ... more
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Luther breaks with Rome(A.D. 1520) Luther publicly breaks with Rome in December when he burns the papal bull, together with papal decretals and canon law. more
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Babylonian CaptivityThis phrase is used to describe three events: 1) the captivity of ancient Israel and exile to Babylon as related in the Old Testament; 2) the years wh... more III
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Luther’s major Treatises(A.D. 1520) Luther publishes his four most important theological treatises laying out the theological basis for protestant doctrine and his dispute wi... more
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Luther’s writings condemned(A.D. 1520) Luther publishes his four most important theological treatises laying out the theological basis for protestant doctrine and his dispute wi... more
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Zwickau prophetsThe term Luther applied to three men from Zwickau who came to Wittenberg late in 1521 proclaiming an apocalyptic Gospel based on the Spirit. more
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Luther excommunicated(A.D. 1521) Leo X excommunicates Luther in January. more
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Diet of Worms(A.D. 1521) Luther testified before the emperor Charles V (the Civil authority who could execute physical penalties for heresy) at the Diet of Worms i... more
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Henry VIII Defender of the Faith(A.D. 1521) Henry VIII publishes his Defense of the Seven Sacraments against Luther’s doctrine. Leo X grants him the title “Defender of the Faith.... more
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Luther returns from hiding(A.D. 1522) Luther returns to Wittenberg in March after his period of hiding in the Wartburg castle and takes charge of the reformation in the city. more
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Luther’s German New Testament(A.D. 1522) Luther publishes his German translation of the New Testament in September. more
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Antwerp Monastery(A.D. 1522) The Augustinian monastery in Antwerp is suppressed for its support of Lutheran ideas. more
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Reformed Theology(A.D. 1522) Ulrich Zwingli begins publishing his writings in Zürich and begins the Reformed tradition of theology. more
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Reign of Pope Hadrian VI(A.D. 1522–1523) more
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Diocese of Meaux(A.D. 1523) In northern France, Bishop Guillaume Briçonnet initiates reforms in his diocese of Meaux. more
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Reign of Pope Clement VII(A.D. 1523–1534) Reign of Pope Clement VII. more
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Zurich accepts Reformed Theology(A.D. 1523) Following the First Zurich Disputation in January and a Second Disputation in October, the Zurich city accepts Zwingli’s Protestantism a... more
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Lutheran Martyrs
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Swiss Religious Conflict(A.D. 1524) Conflict emerges in Switzerland when five Swiss cantons reject Zwingli’s reforms and affirm Catholicism more
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Erasmus Freedom of the Will(A.D. 1524) Erasmus publishes his book, Freedom of the Will, against Luther’s doctrines. more
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German Pamphlets(A.D. 1524) During this year, over 1,000 separate German Reformation pamphlets are published and widely distributed. more
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Great Peasant War in Germany(A.D. 1524–1525) more
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Anabaptists executed(A.D. 1525) The first Anabaptists are executed in Switzerland. more
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Luther’s Bondage of the Will(A.D. 1525) Luther publishes Bondage of the Will, his response to Erasmus’s Freedom of the Will. more
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French Protestants repressed(A.D. 1525) In France, the reformation movement known as the Meaux circle is broken up while king Francis I is absent. more
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Anabaptists(A.D. 1525) Derived from a Greek word meaning “rebaptizers,” due to adherents’ insistence that infant baptism was not valid and that one must ma... more
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First Adult Baptism(A.D. 1525) In January, the first adult baptisms occur in Zurich in defiance with city law and marks the beginning of the Anabaptist (re-baptism) move... more
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Luther marries(A.D. 1525) Luther marries Katherine von Bora who was a nun who had escaped from a convent. more
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Diet of Spires(A.D. 1526) The deliberative body of the Holy Roman Empire which suspended the Edict of Worms, thereby provided temporary relief to Protestantism whic... more
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Tyndale’s English New Testament
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Charles V conquers Rome(A.D. 1527) Emperor Charles V invades Italy and takes the pope captive for six months, while his troops who are mainly mostly Germans sympathetic to L... more
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Schleitheim Articles(A.D. 1527) Michael Sattler publishes the most important confessional document of the early Anabaptists, the Schleitheim Articles that articulate the ... more
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Bern accepts Zwingli(A.D. 1528) The Swiss city of Bern accepts Zwinglian reforms. more
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Capuchin order(A.D. 1528) Matteo da Bascio founds the Capuchin order, a reform of the Franciscans, in Italy. more
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Marburg ColloquyMeetings held between Luther and Zwingli and their respective supporters in 1529 in an attempt to the unify doctrinal beliefs of the Protestant moveme... more
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Diet of SpeyerThe Diet was the deliberative body of the Holy Roman Empire. It was not strictly a legislative body, and more resembled a form of Medieval Great Counc... more
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Protestant Title(A.D. 1529) At the Diet of Speyer, Lutheran princes lodge a formal protest against the enforcement of the Edict of Worms, thus giving birth to the nam... more
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Anabaptists in the Netherlands(A.D. 1530) Melchior Hoffman brings Anabaptism to the Low Countries (Netherlands and Belgium). more
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