The Reformation A Clarification of Doctrines

The church was very much apart of the Renaissance. Like their humanist counterparts, theologians wanted to look at original texts, in their original languages. They knew that errors and biases crept into translations. Increased interest in the Bible – both in the study of its languages and in its theology – contributed to the development of answers to questions that Christians had inherited from the Middle Ages.

This practice of referencing originals texts created one of many reformations to the church. It was the Middle Age practice of purchasing “indulgences” – that is contributing to the church and in return one could ransom one’s relative or oneself out of Purgatory (among other things) – that sparked Martin Luther (a Reformer) to speak out against the church.

Martin Luther initially used the Bible to attack the practices of the papacy and eventually used scripture to attack the papacy itself! Luther’s motto was “Scripture alone”. He meant that all Christian beliefs and practices must be measured against biblical authority – not papal authority.

Reformers used the Bible to justify a range of reforms, changes, and even innovations: - Reforming priests would use the Bible to attack tradition - Iconoclasts would smashed stained glass windows (the Bible said nothing about such things) - Nuns were pulled out of convents by their families (scripture did not speak of convents)

Because of the numerous conflicts, the Leaders of the Catholic Church (now called the Roman Catholic Church) met in Trent, Italy between 1545 to Here, Catholics clarified their position over and against that of Protestants on a number of issues: justification, sacraments, human nature, etc.

The Council of Trent - Asserted the scripture and tradition were coequal sources of authorities - It reaffirmed clerical celibacy, - the existence of seven sacraments: baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage, ordination, confession (reconciliation), and anointing - It also helped raise the discipline, standards, and training of Catholic clergy

While the Council of Trent serves as a dividing line to finalize the split between Catholics and Protestants, it merely formalized what had already been realized: the separation of western Christianity into two major groups:

CatholicismProtestantism Recognized the authority of the bishop of Rome over Christian life rejected the Pope, arguing that secular authority was location in the local princes while spiritual authority resided in the local bishops. Believed that God has instituted seven sacraments Believed that only two sacraments were clearly instituted – baptism and communion Believed that scripture in conjunction with church teachings, or tradition, was the ultimate authority Believed that scripture alone served as the primary guide for faith

Under the Protestant sect falls other “wings” of Christianity: 1. Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformation out of Germany 2. Anglicanism, the Church of England 3. Presbyterian out of Scotland

Where Lutheran reformations began as religious protests, the Anglican reformation began as a political revolt again the papacy, and later developed a coherent theology, which blended Catholic practices and reformed teachings. Central to Anglican believe is their Book of Common Prayer, which is a guide to worship, liturgy prayer and practice, and is used in every Anglican church service in the world.

Roman Catholicism also went through reformations: The Jesuits are an example of this. This group, made up of men, are willing to sacrifice and serve in complete obedience to the Pope. The order focused on what it called “faith in action”, rather than in contemplation, and led the way in missionary activities – especially to Asia and North America – and in education.