The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th century European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Its religious aspects were supplemented by ambitious political rulers who wanted to extend their power and control at the expense of the Church. The Reformation ended the unity imposed by medieval Christianity and, in the eyes of many historians, signaled the beginning of the modern era. A weakening of the old order was already under way in Northern Europe, as evidenced by the emergence of thriving new cities and a determined middle class.
Over the centuries there had been many reform efforts within the Catholic Church, most notably a series of largely unsuccessful church councils. Popular support existed in some quarters for simplifying worship services and requiring a more dedicated clergy.
In 1517, in one of the signal events of western history, Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk, posted 95 theses on the church door in the university town of Wittenberg. That act was common academic practice of the day and served as an invitation to debate. Luther’s propositions challenged some portions of Roman Catholic doctrine and a number of specific practices.
Luther argued that the Bible, not the pope, was the central means to discern God’s word — a view that was certain to raise eyebrows in Rome. Further, Luther maintained that justification (salvation) was granted by faith alone; good works and the sacraments were not necessary in order to be saved.
Luther had been especially appalled by a common church practice of the day, the selling of indulgences. These papal documents were sold to penitents and promised them the remission of their sins. To Luther and other critics it appeared that salvation was for sale. Rome enthusiastically supported the use of indulgences as a means to raise money for a massive church project, the construction of St. Peter’s basilica.
There was nothing secret about Luther’s challenges. He sent a copy to his bishop, who in turn forwarded the theses to Rome.
Lutheranism quickly gained adherents in the German states, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Scotland and portions of France. In France civil war broke out between Catholics and Protestants.Support came from sincere religious reformers, while others manipulated the movement to gain control of valuable church property.
Not surprisingly, a Counter-Reformation developed to combat the new reforms and bolster the doctrine and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The undisputed leader of this movement was Spain, then enjoying its “golden century.” With wealth looted from New World sources, Spain was the dominant world power and closest ally of the pope. For a time England, too, remained loyal to Rome. Henry VIII used his writing talents to launch an attack on Lutheranism and was awarded the title of Defender of the Faith by the pope. Henry’s loyalty, of course, later gave way to the more pressing need to preserve the Tudor dynasty.
The term Protestant was not initially applied to the reformers, but later was used to describe all groups protesting Roman Catholic orthodoxy.
While Lutheranism was influential in shaping church history, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia, far more important were the efforts of the reformers of the reform movement. Ideas set forth by John Calvin, a French theologian living in Geneva, were particularly influential.
2006-11-04 10:39:31
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answer #1
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answered by Doethineb 7
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The Protestant Reformation, also referred to as the Protestant Revolution or Protestant Revolt, was a movement in the 16th century to reform the Catholic Church in Western Europe. The Reformation was started by Martin Luther with his 95 Theses on the practice of indulgences. On October 31, 1517 he is said to have posted these theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg (Germany), commonly used to post notices to the University community. In November he sent them to various religious authorities of the day. The reformation ended in division and the establishment of new institutions. The four most important traditions to emerge directly from the reformation were the Lutheran tradition, the Reformed/Calvinist/Presbyterian tradition, the Anabaptist tradition, and the Anglican tradition. Subsequent protestant traditions generally trace their roots back to these initial four schools of the reformation. It also led to the Catholic or Counter Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church through a variety of new spiritual movements, reforms of religious communities, the founding of seminaries, the clarification of Catholic theology as well as structural changes in the institution of the Church. More thorough historians place the beginning of the Protestant Reformation further back in time and see Wycliffe as the beginning, Jan Hus as the middle and Luther as the end of the Reformation. The Reformation in Bohemia a hundred years earlier had a strong influence on neighboring states and on Luther himself who called himself a hussite.
2006-11-04 06:00:23
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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That's the beginning of Protestant chuches, starting with the Lutheran doctrines. A monk, Dr. Martin Luther, posted 92 grievances against the Catholic church on the door. In 1519 the Lutheran chuch was formed. Give you enough to search?
2006-11-04 06:03:31
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answer #3
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answered by relaxed 4
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See, you're speaking about a time even as there develop into no printing press, and there have been no (or very few) Bibles in interior of reach languages. people necessary the Church to interpret the Bible, because many cases there might want to be in hardship-free words one (on occasion no longer even that) Bible in step with village, and the in hardship-free words man or woman who might want to examine Latin (or Greek contained in the East) were the monks. Who might want to assert "Sola scriptura" in the journey that they couldn't understand what the scripture stated with out an interpreter?
2016-10-16 07:35:09
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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PROTESTANT....remember John Knox....
2006-11-04 06:00:15
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answer #5
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answered by Fudgie 6
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I think the exile said it all.
2006-11-04 06:01:28
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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