What is your view on the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century? How has it affected you today?

Answer 1

5solas,

One of the best things that ever happened in history.

Just think, the move away from government enforced religion, (the RCC was the "State Church") a counter force to the torture, rape, and murder of Protestants in particular. Bibles in a man's own language, without having the Inquisition after you! Blessings from God against an evil, evil, church.

The Reformation was a Blessing from heaven!

Thanks for asking.

Answer 2

Forgive me if I'm a bit rusty on church history. The Protestant Reformation started when Martin Luther nailed his (81?) thesis to the door of the cathedral. During a time of corruption within the Roman Catholic Church in which the Word of God was only read by the clergy, and only the church could forgive your sins (ie paying for indulgences and confessing to a priest). The reformation brought front and center the Lords grace and mercy, and the "priesthood of believers".
It affects everyone who is not a catholic, most of the current christian denominations have branched off from protestantism. Luther shined the light of truth into the very dark middle ages. Who knows where we would all be, spiritually speaking, if the Roman Catholic Church was able to carry on unchecked.

Answer 3

No. They were much better then. With the invention of the printing press people read that "truth" was far from what the Catholic church was teaching. So new religions were started being Much Stricter with the Bible! Like church services were all day long! And there was a man with a stick to go around; if one feel asleep, to wake them up. Punishment back then was death or being hung in frame that would have ones arms and legs on one side of the boards and the body on the other side. Drawings of these are in books of life around 400 years ago, even with the the Pilgrims. Divorce was Never permitted. Are you aware that Queen Elizabeth 2's grandparents marriage was "arranged"; yet the King was Head of the church? People today are much lazier and less concerned for God, Jesus, their life,... Fifty years ago no one needed to lock their doors. Today several maybe needed on doors. IF we have any hate in us and die, we will go to hell. Even if one is a church leader. Perhaps you would enjoy watching the DVD "The Lazarus Phenomenon" or free over the Internet? It is about the tens of millions that have died and come back to life.

Answer 4

This is likely the most striking and predominant religious movement since the death of Christ.

Before then, in Judeo-Christian theology, the mainstay had been the Catholic church...the wealthy, often abusive and governing embodiment that preferred themselves as eminent domain as opposed to genuine teachings of Jesus Christ.

Henry the VIII first created a "separatist movement" from orthodox Catholicism by refusing papal authority, permitting divorce as GOD's will. Many Christians (Lutherism, Quakers, Amish, Calvinists, Methodists, Episcopals and others) feared oppression of the orthodox churches of Europe. They chose sanctuary from persecution (often torture) by fleeing to the "New World".

The United States was founded on principles of fundamental worship of Christ, as opposed the the tyranny that the Catholic church had strangled upon reason in Europe.

What kind of Christianity physically beats people into "faith"? What kind of Christianity physically beats people who offer new scientific understanding?

The Protestant reformation is the intent to restore the genuine teachings of Jesus Christ. It is a religious movement that makes the fundamental basis for the American definition human rights.

I think that has profound affectations.

Answer 5

Very good question! I'm a self-taught student of Christian History.

The Reformation has it's pros and it's cons. Of coarse one could write volumes upon volumes on these but I'll keep it short and sweet.

The state of the universal Church in the 16th century was in dire need of reform within. Individuals, especially the clergy, grown to be corrupt and failed to keep secular government outside it's doors. This caused a laps not only in the lives of the clergy but also of the lower-class or peasants because the clergy was the only ones allowed to actually read sacred scripture. And they we're the only ones to interpret it. Martin Luther, although not the first reformer but the one who made the biggest impact, was a Catholic monk/priest who recognized this corruption and decided to speak out against it. Doing so he exposed the abominable behavior of the Papists and pleaded with them to change their ways. The Papists or the clergy realized this would involve a great deal of money and they knew they would loose their power in government. Therefore they refused to comply. Thus Luther broke away from the Church and changed some theological aspects of middle-aged Christianity unto what he believed was scripturally correct.

All-in-all it's good that the corruption in the church was pointed out and dealt with (Read about the Council of Trent) but it then caused the confusion of denominational differences which we see even today since Luther allowed everyone equal opportunity to read and interpret scripture.

The teachings of the true Church then weren't to blame but the actions of the individuals running the church is what needed to change.

Answer 6

As Translators of the Holy Bible (the seventh: one made better from six good) noted in their Epistle Dedicatory, they were traduced on one side by popish persons and maligned on the other side by self-conceited brethren.

Roman Catholic or Protestant, it's still preposterous order to teach first and learn after. Small c catholic is universal, which King James was. However lately the universalists are still promoting universal law law.

The problem is law.
The solution is grace.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 7

I believe the Reformation could have been carried out without the separation of our Christian brothers and sisters. One of the things I have learned with this is the Protestants threw the baby out with the bathwater. They rejected several things that have been revealed to the Church and that is unfortunate. I also think that there is an inordinate amount of Pride involved with them now. Pride is never good.

Answer 8

Satan's second greatest accomplishment: Christians divided among themselves.

(Original sin being the first)

I find that my own faith often is needlessly shaken as I listen objectively to protestant attacks on Catholics. Yet, I always come back to the Catholic teaching and realize they had it right all along. So much wasted time and effort...

Answer 9

Unfortunate. But necessary.

Answer 10

...It was beneficial to the Church, meaning all the true believers in Christ.
...I know we got Bible translations, that could be read to and by the masses, and they cleared up many doctrinal errors. Many people were martyred, because they stood for the truth of Scripture.