Page 76 - History of Christianity - Student Textbook

After the death of his brother, Henry had married his sister-in-law (brother’s wife), Catherine of Aragon. They
had no son to follow Henry on his throne. Attracted by Anne Boleyn, the kind sought to rid himself of his
unfruitful wife and take a more attractive one who might bear him heirs. Claiming that he should not have
married his elder brother’s widow and citing Leviticus 20:21 as his biblical sanction, he asked the pope for a
divorce. The pope stalled. Impatient, Henry appointed Thomas Cranmer as archbishop of Canterbury who
granted him a divorce. Henry quickly married Ann, and in the same year, 1533, she gave birth to a child,
Elizabeth.

In 1534 the English Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, declaring the kind to be supreme head of the
Church of England. To promote English nationalism, Henry ordered an English Bible to be installed in all
churches. To promote his own agenda, Henry created a church in England that was no longer Roman Catholic.
He set up the country for years of terrible strife, where true faithfulness to Christ would cost many their lives.

Truth about Henry VIII

14.4 Let’s Practice…

1. In what ways did Phillip Melanchthon assist Martin Luther in the Reformation?

2. What was Sebastian Franck known for?

3. How did Heinrich Bullinger demonstrate to all that knew him his true faith?

4. What was Heinrich Bullinger’s major contribution to his fellow Christians?

5- 7. What are three of the five doctrines developed by John Calvin that are a part of today’s movement called
Calvinism? Explain them.

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