The Protestant Reformation
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The Reformation
The Reformation
I. The Vast Scope of the Reformation
A. The sixteenth-century Reformation was a comprehensive renewal of the theology and practices of the church.
i. The idea of ecclesiastical renewal was an ancient one, dating back to many reformations, or reform movements, within the medieval church.
ii. While similar in some ways to these earlier movements, the reformation of the sixteenth century—known as the Reformation, the Protestant Reformation, or the Great Reformation—brought about more dramatic, far-reaching, and permanent changes.
iii. Because of the complexity and variety of reform in the sixteenth century, it is more accurate to think of the Reformation as a series of smaller, related reformations than as a single monolithic movement.
B. Significant political changes accompanied the Reformation.
i. During this time, nations like France shifted from a decentralized feudal system of government to a much more centralized system in which the monarch wielded absolute power over his realm.
ii. The ideal of a trans-European empire gave way to a heightened sense of national identity.
iii. The nature of the Reformation differed widely from one country to another, depending on how the government responded to it.
1. In nations such as France, the Reformation failed because the government ardently opposed it.
2. In nations like Scotland and the Netherlands, the Reformation mustered enough popular support to succeed in spite of government opposition.
3. In regions like England and Scandinavia, the Reformation succeeded because the government supported it.
C. The sixteenth century was also a time of dramatic economic transitions.
i. In the medieval era, economic activity had been highly agrarian and decentralized.
ii. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, towns and cities became important centers of commerce.
iii. Trade began to extend beyond local regions, taking on a more international character.
The Church before the Reformation
The Church before the Reformation
A. In any era, the spiritual health of the church can be difficult to evaluate because a variety of factors determine its well-being.
i. For example, the church in the United States today demonstrates symptoms of both good and poor spiritual health.
ii. Similarly, the late medieval church displayed mixed symptoms.
1. In terms of attendance, contributions, and building activity, the church displayed signs of vibrant vitality.
2. Yet, much of the church’s piety was external, and the teachings of Scripture were often neglected.
B. Of the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, penance was one of the most elaborate.
i. In order to be forgiven for sins committed after the cleansing of baptism had taken place, a person must first experience genuine contrition, or remorse for sins.
ii. The contrite sinner would then confess his or her sins to a priest, who would grant instruction and absolution.
iii. Finally, a person would be expected to perform a specific task to demonstrate repentance and to pay the temporal penalties of his or her sin.
C. By the late medieval era, the buying and selling of indulgences had become a common practice.
i. Through the purchase of an indulgence, a person was believed to be exempt from the duties associated with penance.
ii. Unfortunately, many people came to understand indulgences as a church sanctioned means of purchasing forgiveness for one’s sins.
iii. Eventually, indulgences came to be sold as an alleged means of releasing a deceased person’s soul from purgatory into heaven.
D. In the face of the growing corruption and commercialization of the church’s practices, there was a growing awareness that the church was in dire need of reform.