THE DECLINE OF EUROPEAN CHIRSTIANTY

A Paper

Presented to

Professor Joshua Earls of

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for

Christian Church History

CHHI 302

By

Tracy Barber

November 8, 2012

INTRODUCTION

In this paper I will focus on the reasons why European Christianity (both Protestant and Catholic) has declined. In order to do this we will study a couple of factors. First, the major factors that aided in shift of the decline. What effect did the “Thirty Year War’ have on the overall decline of European Christianity. What effect did “The Thirty Year War” have concerning religious commitment and civil and political concerning life? Then I will focus on other factors that brought Europeans Christianity to the point that it came to in the past, and look at other factors as well. Finally, I will paint a clear picture as to the effect of all the concerns that I have taken place (years of war), and look to see the positive and the negative effect all the different changes has brought.

Wars of Religion

These wars set the stage regarding the progress and the decline regarding Christianity, one would think that this form of action (War) would somehow aid in the advancement of Christianity (this not the case). Then religious values were regarded as of primary concern. The great thinkers on political and economic subjects usually based their ideas on religious principles. The major wars were Wars of Religion.[1] As we read from the above statement, the religious values are a major concern, even to the point that war would breakout. So it is of these values that war wages forth, but the wars that should have aided in bringing the thought of religious ideas, has brought about “The war of Religion”. It was thought that through these wars that peace would somehow be brought of this, but we study this is not the case. The damage from the thirty years of war along with other situation), brought in other factors that cause the goal of Christianity to shift.

Meanwhile it was the people that stuffed in these religious wars.[2] It is without a doubt that the wars that took place in Europe were also related to other issues. But the struggle had a great deal to do with the political and religious order that was within the state at that time. I can only imagine that there was a great amount of tension within the empire at this time. The war that took place, between the Protestants and the Catholic, was brought about because they had a need to protect their religious beliefs within the German Society. Also, we see the war had a devastating effect on Germany; also they've lost a lot as it concerns the population in that area because of the war. Towards the end of the war we realize the loss of the religious significance and the struggle. In the year 1630, when the Thirty Years' War ceased to be a War of Religion and was suddenly transformed into a war of competing nationalisms.[3] Though at this point war had somewhat slowed down there was still a great deal of tension, and at times other wars would take place.

The Peace of Westphalia 1648

As I think of the Peace of Westphalia, I have come to the understanding that because they have reached an understanding regarding the wars (that brought peace thirty years), one would think that these action could causes both side to treat each other better, but as we come to an understanding, this isn’t the case. Before I continue, let me explain the meaning of “The Peace of Westphalia”, while other continued to profit from the war (France and Sweden), even through the completion of the negotiation was completed.

The Peace of Westphalia revolves around an agreement between all parties, and with this agreement everyone was free to follow their own religion.[4] Also this agreement was thought to bring about a fresh understanding of the God they all served, but this wasn’t the case at all, it continued to bring apprehension, and this was thought was brought on by the all parties. The title alone brings about a clam and a reassurance that problems are being solves and the best is about to take place, but this is not the case. Problems continue to take place, and a cloud of uncertainty lay closed to the agreement.

Were we thought progress had happen, we see that a dark area of uncertainty remained. This continue to push the bigger picture further behind, to the point that the true reason the Word of God had been shad became misplaced. These actions along with a great deal of others continued to bring forth the decline of European Christianity. One of the reasons that the so called “Peace of Westphalia” continued not to aid in the growth of the Christian movement, was due to the apprehension that revolved around the war.[5] It is somewhat challenging to trust the individuals that you have been fight with for years. Furthermore, during these years of war the bigger picture became lost. They were fighting for a religious ground and of religious thought. There is never a winner concerning these matters. This is the reason I state that this along with other situation became the problem that aided in the decline of European Christianity. As we continue, we will see how thought process of the eighteenth and the nineteenth century had a role in aiding in the decline of Christianity in Europe.

The Age of the Rationalist

It is during this age the age of rationalism that man no longer has their focus on the things of God, but their focus is on themselves and their thoughts. Sin distorts human reason not only by blocking its ability to know God but even more so by perverting its orientation so that it sees itself, rather than God, as central.[6] It is also during this time that Holy Scripture loss the place that it always had in the lives of God people. This takes place because the focus is no longer on the source (God), but it is now on mans process of thought. Renaissance challenge institutional authority, its critical spirit, and its insistence upon the intellectual and spiritual freedom of the individual.[7]

As we read the above statement we gain a clear understanding of how this era helped to aid in the decline of Christianity in Europe. When man focuses on himself and God is no longer the center, this is a sure recipe for disaster. It is my thought that man can balance the thought process without tuning God, but this is not the case in this matter. During these times there was a great struggle concerning man Religion being the true Religion. These actions caused many wars and many battles, which should have point to one dominant thought as it relates to the church. This was not the case, as a matter of fact; it only brought about other deeper problems.

It’s during this time that man moved away from the power of God, to the power of reason.[8] Coming to what they thought was a great understating of the world, math, and science, brought about the advancement of an objective or interest in other areas, which brought this period away from the true God. This was the time of absolute uncertainty, because man at this time, focused on other areas outside of God, nothing could be for sure. To me, this action from man, at this time, speaks to apart of the process that caused the decline of Christianity in Europe.

Conclusion

In my paper I focused on three areas, Wars of Religion, The Peace of Westphalia 1648, and The Age of the Rationalist. It was my goal to shed light as to how and what, caused the decline of Christianity in Europe. I understand that these words I talked about are only a small part of a bigger picture. This paper showed the steps that brought man futher from the true source, which is God.

My thoughts are these. It is wasteful try to force others to see things the way you see them, these and other actions never work, as proved in our study. Finally, we must trust God, and know that He is in control, if we don’t, innocent people are injured, as is the case in the “Wars of Religion”.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Batten, J Minton. "Political factors in movements toward Christian unity in seventeenth century Europe." Church History 12, no. 3 (September 1, 1943): 163-176. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 8, 2012).

Garrison, Winfred Ernest. "Renaissance culture and Christianity." Shane Quarterly 2, no. 2-3 (April 1, 1941): 229-239. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 9, 2012).

Gonzalez, J. L. (2010). The story of christianity: The reformation to the present day. (Vol. 2). New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Kleinhans, Kathryn A. "Why Now? The Relevance of Luther in a Post-modern Age." Currents In Theology And Mission 24, no. 6 (December 1, 1997): 488-495. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 9, 2012).

----------------------- [1] Batten, J Minton. "Political factors in movements toward Christian unity in seventeenth century Europe." Church History 12, no. 3 (September 1, 1943): 163-176. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 8, 2012). [2] Gonzalez, J. L. (2010). The story of christianity: The reformation to the present day. (Vol. 2). New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. [3] Batten, Political factors. [4] Gonzalez, Christianity. Pg183 [5] Gonzalez, Christianity. Pg.184 [6] Kleinhans, Kathryn A. "Why Now? The Relevance of Luther in a Post-modern Age." Currents In Theology And Mission 24, no. 6 (December 1, 1997): 488-495. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 9, 2012). [7] Garrison, Winfred Ernest. "Renaissance culture and Christianity." Shane Quarterly 2, no. 2-3 (April 1, 1941): 229-239. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed November 9, 2012). [8] Gonzalez, Christianity. Pg. 237