During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the protestant reformation jumpstarted a trend that would challenge the order of the Christian faith and increase the sense of responsibility in true believers. During this period those blessed with wealth had clergy and others connected with the church in their pocket. Sins were forgiven at the right price as many bought their way into gods favor. However those honest and true worshipers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin could see through this charade and shined light on an obvious but hidden truth through their writings, namely Luther, Freedom of a Christian, 95 Theses and Calvin’s selections from Articles Concerning Predestination and On the Necessity of Reforming the Church. The bible is a written guide for a Christ fearing man to follow, however society had forgotten the rules and regulations that is their foundation and it is up to them to restore order. Understandably this ruffled a few feathers as those that identified with abusing their power could see what a threat these men imposed by simply saying to move forward we must look back to simpler life. Martin Luther was a firm believer in his faith and did not take lightly to those who claimed to be Christians but did not understand what it is to actually be a Christian. Luther spells out what faith is by saying, “… people have considered Christian faith an easy thing, and not a few have given it a place among the virtues. They do this because they have not experienced it and have never tasted the great strength there is in faith”(Luther, Freedom of a Christian). He then goes on to explain how faith is a theory that can only be felt, however it is such a feeling that it compels you to dedicate your life towards Christ and worship him, as he should be. Luther denounces the theory that just following those in charge; the pope for instance, will not guarantee anything. Although on the outside one may present themselves as a righteous Christian this act does absolutely nothing to the soul which can only be purified through prayer, worship and salvation. Luther also declares that the soul needs god by stating, “One thing, and only on thing is necessary for Christian life, righteousness and freedom. That one thing is the most holy Word of God, the gospel of Christ… consider it certain and firmly established that the soul can do without anything except the Word of God and where the Word of God is missing there is no help at all for the soul” (Luther, Freedom of a Christian). Society has forgotten that it is Christ who sacrificed for them and it is his words and instructions passed on that should be followed and truly treasured. There is only prayer that is needed for the soul and once this body perishes the soul is what remains. Luther is enlightening followers that every individual must have a connection with god, this will strengthen their faith and then use the gospels and men associated with the church to guide them in their actions and daily lives. This is the way Christ intended and this the way Luther is fighting to restore.
When you boil down Martin Luther’s argument in the Ninety-Five theses, it is apparent that his issue is with the pope and others making it appear as though sins and guilt can disappear from those who have a holy connection with Christ. Luther states “the pope neither desires nor is able to remit any penalties except those imposed by his own authority or that of the canons” (Luther, 95 Theses) which denounces the pope being able to help, assist or completely remove sin from a fellow worshiper. It was led to believe that with a donation to increase the church’s wealth in some shape or form the pope would remove the sinner of his/her wrong doing and be placed in the good graces of god. Luther also states, “The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring and showing that it has been remitted by god” (Luther 44), which clarifies that the pope’s role is to explain and show rather than accept and remove. The pope is allowed to interpret gods path that he has assigned for a person but never can the pope remove, redirect or repent a sinner’s action. It is this same mindset that is running rampant during the sixteenth and seventeenth century that Luther has been trying to abolish. Everyone needs to accept responsibility for his or her own actions and not try to buy their way out. Society is no longer fearful of their actions, or at least those who can afford to make a “mistake” or two. The only explanation for these actions is greed. “Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting indulgences, needs and thus desires their devout prayer more than their money” (Luther, 95 Theses) clarifies that prayers are the pope’s source of wealth. God never wants gold plated relics, or exquisite intricate artwork, but rather just to have his followers listen and practice as written in bible. John Calvin also believed that there was a sense of responsibility that followers needed to maintain to make it to heaven. Calvin firstly believes that before a person is even born, god has already decided if the individual is elect or reprobate vessels. This is however unknown to the individual which causes a need for society to act or maintain a level of commitment to god and living the righteous life. He states, “… none are truly illuminated with faith, and none granted the spirit of regeneration, except those whom god elects. But it is necessary that the reprobate remain in their blindness or be deprived of suck portion of faith as in them” (Calvin, selections), which shows the belief that although you are destined to be elect or probate and won’t know until the end, it still quite important to act as though you are elect to maintain order and please god. Those who are reprobate or damned will not want to be shunned in society, being publicly disgraced has being representations of the devil. Therefore all Christians will act as though elect because it is the hope and fear that if they have been elect and not been following the order that they will be sanctioned to hell, and for those destined for hell, perhaps hope that if he or she follows the right path that salvation will be granted and be sent into the heavens.
Calvin also takes aim at idolatry stating, “… For they strenuously defend the veneration of images, though they condemn idolatry. But these ingenious men deny that the honor which they pay to images is worship, as if, when compared with ancient idolatry, it were possible to see any difference… But is god satisfied with such excuses”(Calvin, selections). He denounces the same as Luther in reference with the pope, that through believing and succumbing to the norm one is actually solidifying and strengthening their relationship with god. But this of course is completely false and in fact no different that the ancient Egyptians when they once praised and prayed to images denounced by the church then, but seemingly accepted now. Calvin also uses examples stating “… As to the matter of relics, it is almost incredible how impudently the world has been cheated. I can mention three relics of our Savior’s circumcision” (Calvin, selections) to denounce the relics and artifacts that cannot be authenticated, traced or even confirm existed in the first place. Like the idolatry, the relics are another false attempt of dedication to god. While ancient relics that can be tied to Christ are important to the faith, it is the one on one relationship through prayers and worship that are the top priorities in a Christian’s life. Material objects whether it be a supposed nail used in Christ’s crucifixion or several images of the Virgin Mary in a shrine located in church, these items exist only to remind and refocus instead of desired and sought after.
Both Luther and Calvin preached about different type of distractions that have entered through society’s misguided religious leaders. They are men that interpreted the gospels and Christ’s instructions for what they were and did not just merely listen to what a church figure wants them to believe. The human soul could only find salvation through prayer and worship while maintaining a personal relationship with god as described in the bible. Society took these messages and realized what truths and what deceit surrounded them thus leading to the reformation which would create many different groups that held their own interpretation of ways to worship god. Luther and Calvin’s messages ignited an inattentive church body to question, reconsider and follow the person whose message identified with them the most thus starting these social transformations.