Debates within Christianity Class 11 – Concept, MCQs & Notes PDF
Topic covered: Debates within Christianity class 11 notes and MCQs questions: Changing Cultural Traditions (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 11th about “Debates within Christianity“ from the NCERT history notes for class 11th chapter 5 “Changing Cultural Traditions”.
Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 5 Changing Cultural Traditions Notes PDF
Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 5 Changing Cultural Traditions Notes PDF if you want a clear and readable explanation of how ideas, art, and knowledge began to change in medieval Europe. These notes walk you through the revival of Italian cities, the growth of universities, and the rise of humanism, showing how people started to look at history, science, and philosophy in new ways. You will also learn about the Arab contribution to knowledge, realistic art, architecture, the first printed books, and changing views about human beings and women. The chapter ends with important religious debates and scientific ideas like the Copernican Revolution, helping you understand how people began to read and interpret the universe differently.
Debates within Christianity
1. Contact of Italy with the Wider World:
- Trade, travel, military conquest and diplomacy linked Italian towns and courts with the outside world
- New culture was admired and imitated by the educated and wealthy
- New ideas rarely reached ordinary people due to illiteracy
2. Spread of Humanism to Northern Europe:
- In the 15th and early 16th centuries, northern European scholars adopted humanist ideas
- Focused on classical Greek and Roman texts along with Christian holy books
3. Difference Between Italian and Northern Humanism:
- In Italy, professional scholars led the humanist movement
- In northern Europe, members of the Church played a major role
- Northern humanists stressed religious reform
4. Ideas of Christian Humanists:
- Called for religion based on ancient Christian texts
- Rejected unnecessary rituals as later additions
- Viewed humans as free and rational agents
- Believed in a distant God who allowed humans freedom to pursue happiness
5. Criticism of the Church:
- Christian humanists like Thomas More and Erasmus criticised Church greed
- Church was accused of extorting money from ordinary people
- Selling of indulgences was condemned
6. Role of the Printing Press:
- Printed translations of the Bible in local languages
- People realised their religion did not permit Church abuses
7. Peasant and Political Opposition to the Church:
- Peasants rebelled against Church taxes
- Princes resented Church interference in state affairs
- Humanists exposed the Donation of Constantine as a forgery
8. Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation:
- Martin Luther (1483–1546) began protest in 1517
- Rejected need for priests to reach God
- Emphasised faith alone for salvation
- Led to the Protestant Reformation
9. Spread of Protestantism:
- Churches in Germany and Switzerland broke from the Pope
- In Switzerland, ideas spread by Ulrich Zwingli and Jean Calvin
- Reformers gained support from merchants
- Greater success in towns than rural areas
10. Radical Reformers: The Anabaptists:
- Combined salvation with end of social oppression
- Believed all people were equal before God
- Opposed taxes and supported choosing priests
- Appealed to peasants oppressed by feudalism
11. Luther and Peasant Revolts:
- Luther opposed radicalism
- Asked rulers to suppress peasant revolts
- Peasant rebellion crushed in 1525
12. Later Developments in Europe:
- Radical ideas survived and influenced French Protestants
- Protestants demanded right to remove oppressive rulers
- Catholic Church allowed Protestant worship in many regions
13. Religious Changes in England:
- England broke ties with the Pope
- Monarch became head of the Church
14. Catholic Reforms from Within:
- Catholic Church began internal reforms
- Emphasised simple life and service to the poor
- Strong reforms in Spain and Italy
15. Ignatius Loyola and the Jesuits:
- Ignatius Loyola founded the Society of Jesus in 1540
- Followers called Jesuits
- Mission included serving the poor and studying other cultures
16. William Tyndale and the Bible in English:
- William Tyndale translated the Bible into English
- Believed scripture must be available in the mother tongue
- Criticised clergy for keeping people in ignorance
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE History Class 11 Chapter 5: Changing Cultural Traditions
MCQs on NCERT History Class 11 Chapter 5 – Debates within Christianity Class 11
Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Debates within Christianity Class 11” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. Italian towns and courts were connected with the outside world through
A. Agriculture and feudal ties
B. Trade, travel, military conquest and diplomacy
C. Missionary activities
D. Monastic networks
Answer: B
Question 2. The new Renaissance culture was mainly admired and copied by
A. Peasants
B. Artisans
C. Educated and wealthy people
D. Rural population
Answer: C
Question 3. New ideas reached very few ordinary people because they
A. Opposed these ideas
B. Lived in villages
C. Could not read or write
D. Were controlled by nobles
Answer: C
Question 4. During the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, humanist ideas spread mainly in
A. Southern Europe
B. Eastern Europe
C. Northern Europe
D. Western Asia
Answer: C
Question 5. Humanist scholars in north Europe studied
A. Only Christian texts
B. Only Greek philosophy
C. Greek and Roman classics along with Christian holy books
D. Medieval Latin texts only
Answer: C
Question 6. Unlike Italy, humanism in north Europe attracted many members of the
A. Nobility
B. Peasantry
C. Church
D. Merchant class
Answer: C
Question 7. Northern European humanists wanted Christians to practise religion according to
A. Orders of the Pope
B. Medieval rituals
C. Ancient religious texts
D. Royal commands
Answer: C
Question 8. They criticised many Church rituals as
A. Sacred traditions
B. Essential practices
C. Later unnecessary additions
D. Pagan influences
Answer: C
Question 9. The new humanist view regarded human beings as
A. Sinful and weak
B. Dependent on priests
C. Free and rational agents
D. Controlled by fate
Answer: C
Question 10. Christian humanists believed in a God who
A. Controlled every action
B. Gave freedom to humans
C. Punished humans constantly
D. Demanded rituals
Answer: B
Question 11. Thomas More belonged to
A. Italy
B. France
C. England
D. Germany
Answer: C
Question 12. Erasmus was a humanist from
A. Spain
B. Holland
C. Italy
D. Switzerland
Answer: B
Question 13. According to Thomas More and Erasmus, the Church had become an institution marked by
A. Discipline
B. Charity
C. Greed
D. Simplicity
Answer: C
Question 14. Indulgences were documents that claimed to
A. Grant land
B. Free people from sins
C. Appoint priests
D. Guarantee salvation
Answer: B
Question 15. The clergy sold indulgences mainly to
A. Spread faith
B. Educate people
C. Extort money
D. Help the poor
Answer: C
Question 16. Printed translations of the Bible helped people realise that such practices were
A. Approved by religion
B. Forbidden by their religion
C. Necessary
D. Ancient traditions
Answer: B
Question 17. Peasant rebellions in Europe were mainly against
A. Kings
B. Nobles
C. Church taxes
D. Merchants
Answer: C
Question 18. Princes opposed the Church because it interfered in
A. Religious matters
B. State administration
C. Education
D. Trade
Answer: B
Question 19. The clergy claimed judicial and financial powers on the basis of
A. Bible
B. Roman law
C. Donation of Constantine
D. Royal decree
Answer: C
Question 20. Humanist scholars proved that the Donation of Constantine was
A. Authentic
B. Written by Constantine
C. Forged later
D. A Greek document
Answer: C
Question 21. Martin Luther was a
A. Italian scholar
B. French priest
C. German monk
D. English reformer
Answer: C
Question 22. Martin Luther started his campaign against the Catholic Church in
A. 1506
B. 1517
C. 1525
D. 1540
Answer: B
Question 23. Luther argued that a person could reach God through
A. Priests
B. Church rituals
C. Faith alone
D. Indulgences
Answer: C
Question 24. The movement led by Luther is known as the
A. Counter Reformation
B. Catholic Reform
C. Protestant Reformation
D. Renaissance Movement
Answer: C
Question 25. As a result of this movement, churches in Germany and Switzerland
A. Strengthened Catholic rule
B. Accepted papal authority
C. Broke ties with the Pope
D. Closed down
Answer: C
Question 26. Luther’s ideas were spread in Switzerland by
A. Erasmus
B. Ulrich Zwingli
C. Ignatius Loyola
D. William Tyndale
Answer: B
Question 27. Jean Calvin was associated with the spread of Protestantism in
A. England
B. Germany
C. Switzerland
D. Italy
Answer: C
Question 28. Protestant reformers gained maximum support in
A. Villages
B. Rural areas
C. Towns
D. Monasteries
Answer: C
Question 29. In rural areas, influence remained mainly with the
A. Protestants
B. Merchants
C. Catholic Church
D. Humanists
Answer: C
Question 30. The Anabaptists believed that
A. People must obey kings
B. Social inequality was natural
C. All people were equal before God
D. Taxes were necessary
Answer: C
Question 31. According to Anabaptists, people had the right to
A. Pay church taxes
B. Choose their priests
C. Obey feudal lords
D. Follow rituals
Answer: B
Question 32. Anabaptist ideas appealed mainly to
A. Nobles
B. Merchants
C. Peasants
D. Clergy
Answer: C
Question 33. Luther’s stand on peasant rebellion was that it should be
A. Supported
B. Ignored
C. Suppressed
D. Encouraged
Answer: C
Question 34. The German peasants’ rebellion was crushed in
A. 1517
B. 1525
C. 1531
D. 1540
Answer: B
Question 35. French Protestants later demanded the right to
A. Control the Church
B. Remove oppressive rulers
C. End religion
D. Establish monasteries
Answer: B
Question 36. Eventually, in many European countries, Protestants were
A. Executed
B. Forced to convert
C. Allowed freedom of worship
D. Exiled
Answer: C
Question 37. In England, the head of the Church became the
A. Pope
B. Archbishop
C. King or Queen
D. Parliament
Answer: C
Question 38. The Catholic Church responded to criticism by
A. Ignoring reform
B. Reforming itself internally
C. Banning education
D. Closing churches
Answer: B
Question 39. Churchmen in Spain and Italy emphasised
A. Wealth and power
B. Rituals
C. Simple life and service to the poor
D. Political authority
Answer: C
Question 40. The Society of Jesus was founded in
A. 1517
B. 1525
C. 1540
D. 1550
Answer: C
Question 41. Members of the Society of Jesus were called
A. Lutherans
B. Calvinists
C. Jesuits
D. Humanists
Answer: C
Question 42. The Jesuits aimed to
A. Support feudalism
B. Serve the poor and spread knowledge
C. Collect taxes
D. Control governments
Answer: B
Question 43. William Tyndale translated the Bible into
A. Latin
B. German
C. English
D. French
Answer: C
Question 44. Tyndale believed scripture must be read in the
A. Church language
B. Mother tongue
C. Latin script
D. Scholar’s language
Answer: B
Question 45. According to Tyndale, the Church kept people ignorant to satisfy its
A. Faith
B. Charity
C. Ambition and greed
D. Discipline
Answer: C