...Professor Gardenour Interpretive Essay The Reformation During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was full of corruption and blasphemy that was criticized by many in Europe. One of the many acts of corruption that occurred during this time was the selling of indulgences by the church which basically freed people of sins and bought salvation after death. Although many people bought these indulgences and followed the words of the Pope, Martin Luther was not one of these people. Martin Luther was a very dedicated and educated monk who taught at the University of Wittenberg. His deep concern for the church led him to write the Ninety- Five These which simply stated ninety- five points of debate against the actions of the Catholic Church at the time. He posted these arguments in Latin on the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517 with the intention of keeping the issues within the hands of the church officials and holding a lively debate with his colleagues. Martin Luther had no idea at the time that this piece of writing would end up being the catalyst to the entire Protestant Reformation. This is due to the fact that although the Ninety- Five These is written about indulgencies, it provides overall commentary about the true fairness and power of the church along with what should be done by the church. One of the main points made within the Ninety- Five These is the worthlessness of indulgencies. Indulgencies promised people salvation and forgiveness of sin if bought...
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...The reformation movement began in the early 16th century, and was started by Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a religious man, in that he believed in strongly in the scriptures and believed that they held the ultimate authority, and specifically held authority over the Pope and the entire Roman Catholic organization. Martin Luther “protested” the rituals, doctrines and many general practices of the Roman Catholic church. Some would say the movement began officially when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church. After expressing his contentions with Roman Catholic church, he was eventually exiled, however, while in exile he translated a copy of The New Testament into German. This happened to coincide with the printing press becoming popular. The printing press allowed for Luther’s book to be widely distributed, and this was one of the main reasons the reformation was able to spread the way it did. There were other people of this time with new ideas who leveraged the use of the printing press to spread their ideas. One of those individuals was Michael Montaigne, who is credited with inventing the essay. Another key reason the movement was able to spread the way it did was the fact the rebellious attitude towards the authority of the time resonated with the peasant workers. It’s notable that the church had already suffered damage to its credibility from 15th century stressors such as the black death. With these well timed events and new technology, Lutheranism...
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...HIST 3335 The European Reformation Research Essay Submitted by: Terra Fillmore (201470549) Submitted to: Dr. David Clemis Bissett School of Business Mount Royal University April 12, 2013 The beginning of the 16th century marked a time in which the Roman Catholic Church controlled a large portion of the political, social, and religious influence in Europe. During this century individuals within the Church were looking towards a more pure and simple Christian lifestyle, but in doing so would have to work against the Church. England, in comparison to the rest of Europe, was more so isolated and distant and while Protestantism grew in the European society it took a far different shape in England. This was because England retained much of the principles and the practices of Catholicism. In addition, whilst the Reformation that took place in Europe was brought on by religious differences and ideals, its basis in England was one of personal and political change. The Reformation in England was centuries in the making and resulted from many merging forces. It was in the 1530’s that the statutes of Henry VIII began to collate an official break from the papal authority of Rome. The 16th century proved to be a boisterous period in the history of England. The uncertainty associated with the stability and religious beliefs of the government were crucial factors in the unclear identity of England until the 1600's. As is often the case with defining periods in history, timing...
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...A Brief Talk on Protestant Reformation It was on the night before All Saints’ Day on which one of the largest crowds of the year would gather to see the relics which was rebuilt with the money came from the sale of indulgence in Wittenberg, Germany, Martin Luther posted on the door of the castle church his Ninety-five Theses, the Protestant Reformation began. That time was to some extent influenced by the Renaissance. On the one hand, the humanist called for a return to the study of classics and accurate texts, people applied recovery techniques to the study of the authorities and texts of the Church, prospering the printing industry by the large demand and flourishing the intellectual movement known as Christian humanism. A growing sense of individual accomplishment let people emphasize on good works, the obsession with original sin and salvation among the people imposed by the church made indulgence so popular. These factors spread the religion more widely and consolidated the status of Catholic Church. On the other hand, through the study of classical texts, people intended to believe the equality of everyone before God and questioned the use of indulgences which the church didn’t want to see. With the help of printing press, the new idea of church dispersed quickly. Besides, the princes wanted to centralized more power and money for the development of the social economy. The Church itself was always involved in the corruption scandal such as simony, nepotism, pluralism...
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...The Reformation was a religious revolution that took place in Western Europe in the 16th century, around the same time as the Renaissance. The church was seen as the guiding light of unity throughout the dark ages of Europe. However, several dissenters such as John Wycliffe and John Hus challenged the orthodox views of the church, and started a long chain of events that led to Reformation. This newfound opposition was spurned by medieval church’s abuses of the common people, the worldliness of its priest’s and monks, and the hierarchies that were beginning to develop within the church. These events reached a climax with the advent of the humanist values of the Renaissance, and the new political orders that were arising during the high middle...
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...PAPER 1 (PROTESTANT REFORMATION) DOUGLAS HOLLOWAY STUDENT ID# 23766838 CHHI 302_DO5_201340 FALL 2013 DR. KEITH GOAD LIBERTY UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 05, 2013 As a result of increased corruption in the Catholic Church, a significant number of priests in the 16th century tried to transform Christianity back to its previous Biblical basis and simplicity. Initially, priests channeled much of their efforts in reforming the church, but they discovered that it was very challenging, and the only viable solution was to split completely from the Catholic Church. There were four movements as a result of the reformation events. They include the Anglicans, Lutherans, Reformed Tradition (Calvin), and the Anabaptists. Key figures in the Protestants or protesters included John Knox, John Calvin, Zwingli, and Martin Luther. More doctrinal distinctions became obvious, and the previously integrated Christianity split into numerous warring groups. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, thousands of individuals were murdered as a result of Christian religion. In the current world, Protestants and Catholics in the spirit of ecumenism regard themselves as “brothers in Christ”. Martin Luther was in charge of Lutheranism and Anglicanism, Ulrich Zwingli for Reformed Churches, and Anabaptist and John Calvin broke with the beliefs of the Lutherans. The prominent figures in the reformed movement are discussed in details in this paper. Martin Luther (1843-1546) Martin Luther, a German reformer...
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...The Protestant Reformation The Protestant Reformation was the 16th century religious and political revolution that disintegrated the Catholic Church. This reformation would define Europe in the modern era. Martin Luther, John Calvin and Henry VIII contested the Church’s power and its faculty to divide Christian religion. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther published his “95 Theses” which led to start the Protestant Reformation, in which it stated Luther’s terms of his protest against the Catholic Church. Martin Luther argued that Jesus died on the cross for our salvation; therefore, there was no need for lavish cathedrals and offerings that the Catholic Church was accustomed to. Also, he was opposed to the practice of the church collecting indulgences in order to shorten ones stay in purgatory. These indulgences were said to pave the way to heaven for any sinner. In Martin Luther’s 95 Theses the mentions the following: “Those who believe that, through letters of pardon, they are made sure of their own salvation will be eternally dammed along with their teacher”. After the Church’s unsuccessful rebuttal, they ended up excommunicating Luther in 1521. Luther went on to translating the bible into vernacular German, which up to this point was only in Latin and only available to priests who were they only ones who read and interpreted the bible to the masses. Luther’s translation was not word for word but rather sense for sense, which would help ordinary people, read the bible...
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...bloodshed of Mary’s reign, England is unified and united under the reign of Elizabeth I.1 With Protestantism taking hold, the English had truly embraced their religion, incorporating it as part of their national image. However, the High Church of England had a rough history. In the beginning it was never truly sure of its position or role in relation to Catholicism and other protestant faiths. It took nearly 40 years and 4 monarchs to solidify its stance and finalize the church doctrine. The reason for this instability was caused in part by the true nature of the schism. Unlike the reformations of the continent, the English Reformation was caused by political motives rather than differences in theology and clerical practices. It was all started off by Henry’s desire to marry Anne Boleyn, followed by the English courts desire to access the power and wealth of the church. Cementing the fact that the reformation was political, was how closely the High Church’s doctrine mimicked that of the Catholic Church. Henry had been married for 21 years to Catherine of Aragon and she had not been able to produce a male heir. Not only had they not conceived a male, they had struggled to conceive at all. ‘During their marriage, Catherine had given birth to 6 children. 2 were stillborn, 3 did not survive the first year and Mary, the only one to make it to adulthood, was frail and sickly.’2 In Henry’s mind it was integral to the continuation of the Tudor dynasty that a male heir be produced; and he...
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...What was the short-term significance of the Edwardian reformation? Edward VI’s reign lasted just 6 years, such a short time in power and at a very young age meant that he had very little time to have a significant effect on England’s policy of religion. However he did make some important changes. Edward was a strong Protestant, along with his Protector the Duke of Somerset and the Duke Northumberland. They were ultimately responsible for the small changes made to religious practice. Four contemporary sources support both arguments of whether there were or were not any short-term significant effects as a result of the Edwardian reformation. This reformation is responsible for the reaffirming and finalising of the religious changes brought about by Henry’s reformation, the move towards Protestantism. Source 15.8 supports the idea that Edward’s reign was met with relatively low opposition when it says, ‘during the whole time of the six years of this king, much tranquillity was granted to the whole Church of England’ and consequently implies that the people welcomed the new policies. In turn it can be inferred that England was more Protestant leaning by the end of his fathers reign and so Edward’s time on the thrown was vital in grounding it into everyday life. The measures taken by Edward’s advisors began with the order for all clergymen to preach in English and have an English bible along with Protestant literature in every parish church. This was called the Royal Injunctions...
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...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...
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...Social and Political Consequences of the Protestant Reformation The Catholic Church had become increasingly corrupt due to the selling of indulgences, clerical ignorance, pluralism and absenteeism. In desperate need of improvement and restructuring, a man named Martin Luther began a religious reformation. Luther was opposed to the selling of indulgences, believed the key to salvation was by faith alone and that the scriptures of the bible held all authority. The ideals of Martin Luther, radically different from those of the Roman Catholic Church, created a religious reform disturbing politics throughout Europe and changing society. Numerous political effects occurred because of the Protestant Reformation, which consequently happened because of Luther’s reforms. The area that was affected most by the Reformation was Germany. Luther was favored there and he gained support by appealing to German patriotism and evoking a national pride and feeling that influenced many princes. Luther stated that the only way Reformation could come about was by the princes to abolish papal power. This happened when Charles V excommunicated Luther and the German princes did not enforce the banning of Luther’s teachings. Charles V was also to blame for the disintegration of imperial authority because during his reign, he never took an interest in the constitutional problems of Germany that were left over from the Middle Ages. Germans princes used the religious issues as a way to extend political...
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...The Counter-Reformation: Catholic Baroque vs. the ‘Other’ Baroque With every change of power or order in society, whether it is in business or government, there is always a change in structure. Buildings and signage are redesigned with the idea of a complete marketing makeover. The same can be said for the Catholic Counter-Reformation of the mid sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, after the successful Protestant Reformation of the early 1500s. Rome called forth a physical change of the Catholic Church in response, and years later, the Calvinist churches (the Dutch Reformed Church) in the Netherlands called for a complete physical change of their structure as well. As a direct response to the Protestant movement that had turned successful, the Catholic Church met three times over nearly twenty years from 1545 until 1563 in what was called the Council of Trent. The Church decided to elicit an emotional response from current Catholics, as well as Catholics turned Protestants, with the hope of rejuvenating the foundations and population of the Church. Pope Paul III helped the council to redefine Catholic doctrine, as well as redefining the role of the clergy, which was deemed essential to the Church’s system of faith. During the sporadic meetings of the council, Pope Paul III commissioned artists and architects to create paintings and redesign buildings that would remind Catholics of the grandeur of their faith. The outcome needed by the Church was for its...
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...Introduction A reformation reader is a book edited by Denis Janz in which he brings lesser known documents and figures to luminosity. Janz makes the context reformation clearer by including the pre-Reformation Catholic sentiments authors and discussing about the Counter Reformation and the Catholic Council of Trent. He brings up different scholarly arguments on how to interpret the Reformation. Janz tries us much as he can to stay neutral and give explanations on what the questions are. He therefore, provides documents that hold the ability to place challenges on both viewpoints and supports a study of the texts themselves. In his book, Janz includes opinions explaining the significance of both Martin Luther and John Calvin. This paper is therefore, intended on highlighting the significance of these two individuals and contrasting the opinions contained in writings of each. The significance of Martin Luther Many people wonder why there exists a great fuss over martin Luther and the Protestant reformation. They also don’t understand how and why this German monk turned out to be a lightning rod for change in religion and community in Europe during the Renaissance. Many people also do not comprehend the significance of the circumstances and the importance Luther and his persuade on the Reformation and how it affects them in the present days. Back in 1520 Luther was thought of as an insightful church leader and other thought of him as an ecclesiastical terrorist. His thoughts...
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...the Protestant Reformation made significant changes on Western civilization. It altered the way people worshipped God and allowed for people to establish their own belief system. The Protestant Reformation allowed for a new definition of what it means to be civilized in Europe. People discovered, and took advantage of their freedom of religion. The Reformation did in fact contribute to a more civilized society because of its development of religious diversity, and its gradual separation between church and state. One of Martin Luther’s teachings states “On the matter of religious practice, is it better to follow one’s conscience?” (Notes Packet - The Reformation Begins; Mr. Johnson) Obviously,...
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...Ever since its founding in the 1st century C.E., Christianity has caused political and religious controversy in countries all over the world. From the original split between Christians and the Jews, to the fracturing of the Catholic Church in Germany, religion has been a vital tool for social and political change, especially in England. Although the Protestant Reformation was a dividing force in Europe, the dominant English monarchs of the 16th century used it to their advantage. King Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I used religion to pursue their agenda, solidify their reign and unify England. Prior to the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church was a unified body with the Pope at its head. However, when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses,...
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