The Influence of the Protestant Reformation

The reformation was a drastic event in the early modern period that launched Europe into a massive conflict of widespread violence, through both political and religious factors. The political scene had remained very much the same before the beginning of the reformation in 1517, with many philosophers sharing similar ideas on how to handle the issues of sovereignty and private property. Religion was a long debated factor before the reformation however was brought inadvertently to the forefront of most political works in the early years of the Protestant Reformation. This event completely changed the way in which philosophers constructed their political discourse as seen with More and Martin Luther, who although despite being placed on

During the 16th century, Protestantism emerged as a new sect of Christianity. This process was not calm or peaceful in the slightest. Protestant leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin fiercely attacked and denied traditional Catholic beliefs, causing much controversy and debate upon religion. Many regions of Europe as a whole were converted to Protestantism, and many more Protestants emerged in areas where Catholicism remained the state religion. The Catholic faith became less and less appealing to people as the abuses of the clergy were now publicly addressed by reformers and a new, personal approach to religion was offered in Protestantism. In addition, rulers favored Protestantism as a state religion because it meant that no power

The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th century European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation in western and central Europe officially began in 1517 with Martin Luther and his 95 Theses. This was a debate over the Christian religion. At the time there was a difference in power. Roman Catholicism stands with the Pope as central and appointed by God. Luther’s arguments referred to a direct relationship with God and using the local vernacular to speak to the people. Luther’s arguments remove the absolute power from the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church in general. The revenue from the taxes paid to the Church would be reduced with Luther’s ideas, in part because of

The Protestant Reformation was a pivotal time of European history that occurred during the 16th century. The Protestant Reformation was comprised of people called “reformers” that challenged papal authority and questioned the Catholic Church’s ability to define Christian practice (“The Reformation”). The Protestant Reformation was revolutionary due to the fact that the reformers preached against everything the Catholic Church had been teaching. Some famous reformers are John Calvin and Martin Luther. However, Martin Luther-- to some--- is named the most successful and influential reformer of the 16th century. Martin Luther was tremendously effective and influential due to how resourceful he was, and his teachings spread across Europe swiftly.

The Reformation during the 16th century was something that had always been thought of and what is expected that had a positive impact on many people. Reformers that were in the medieval church like St. Francis of Assisi, Valdes, Jan Hus, and John Wycliff had thought about the aspects of the church and throughout life before 1517. During the 16th century, figures such as Erasmus of Rotterdam who was the chief proponent of liberal Catholic reform, had an ongoing concern before Luther told his Ninety-Five Theses. From “Martin Luther” the aspect of the beginning of the section is very intriguing, offering how the impact had caused a positive change: “Luther having experienced this new conviction, it is not surprising that the extravagant claims surrounding the sale of indulgences in 1517 provoked him to the public. The form and text of that protest became known as the ’95 Theses’.” (“Martin Luther” 427). From his objection to the claim, the pope had then relieved the sins of Luther and the Catholic church. The Reformation was a major change in the Catholic church due to the change of how people bettered themselves. Luther was unhappy that the Catholic church offered an indulgence for pay, such as, “As for myself, let me say that I, too, am a doctor and a preacher-yes, and as learned and experienced as any of those who act so high and mighty” (“Martin Luther” 428). By following the sacraments, many were able to better their relationship with Jesus. “Shall we frivolously despise this might, blessing, power, and fruit- especially we who would be pastors and preachers?” (“Martin Luther” 429). Martin Luther is expressing with powers and questioning what one should do with pastors and preachers and how one can better that problem to come up with a solution. The following quote sticks out due to the fact that the quote is setting guidelines to how many should go about living their life, “Sixteenth Rule. In the same way, we must be on our guard that by talking much and with much insistence of faith, without any distinction and explanation occasion be not given to the people to be lazy and slothful in works, whether before faith is formed in charity or after” (“Saint Ignatius of Loyola” 446). One can about their life just

The Protestant Reformation was the 16th-century religious, political, intellectual and cultural upheaval that splintered Catholic Europe, setting in place the structures and beliefs that would define the continent in the modern era.

The protestant reformation happened at the moment that it did because the Catholic Church was very a powerful force in Europe. It controlled people lives both spiritually and temporally. The church had so much power that it maintained political control over a large portion of Italy. The fact that the church held so much control over countries and governments became a point of contention among European countries such as the Holy Roman Empire, Italian city-states outside of Rome, England, France and Spain. The power of the rulers of these areas had greatly increased in the 14th century and they were eager to take the chances offered by a Reformation to weaken the grip of the Catholic Church in Europe and also to develop their own powers across the European continent. For quite some time the Catholic Church had been an institution rampant with internal struggles. Such as the Avignon Papacy from 1309 to 1377 when seven popes opted to live in Avignon, France and not reside in Rome which was and is the traditional home of the Papacy. The Pope and other high ranking church officials often lived opulent lifestyles rather than a more austere lifestyle that should befit a spiritual leader. Many church leaders and Popes maintained political powers. They led armies, waged wars and made many political decisions. Church offices were sold, and many Popes and bishops practiced nepotism to fill church offices. With all of these worldly issues for the Pope

After the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, many European states struggled to decide what they would do with the diverse religious cultures of their peoples. Some sided with religious toleration, making their decision based on righteous ideals or the concept of tranquility within their nation. Others, however, saw religious liberty as a gateway to distress and harmful to the unification of their respective state. Even then, other European nations, remained neutral, accepting other religions only out of compromise. By the eighteenth century, these precepts on religious toleration became solidified, making freedom of religion a right rather than a preference of nobility.

What happens when people start to break away from the entity that bound an entire civilization together for over a thousand years? How does one go from unparalleled devotion to God to the exploration of what man could do? From absolute acceptance to intense scrutiny? Sheeple to independent thinkers? Like all revolutions preceding it, the Protestant Reformation did not happen overnight. Catholics had begun to lose faith in the once infallible Church ever since the Great Schism, when there were two popes, each declaring that the other was the antichrist. Two things in particular can be identified as the final catalyst: a new philosophy and simple disgust. The expanding influence of humanism and the corruption of the Catholic Church

The Protestant Reformation was a series of religious and political events dating in the 16th century. Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” against selling of indulgences - a payment to the Catholic church that purchased an exemption from punishment for some types of sins, served as catalyst to this event. The Reformation has been believed to have signalled the modern era. Short Term Effects

Prior to the early sixteenth century, the Catholic Church was the center of European society. Having its own legal system, the church owned large tracts of land, controlled education and provided the ethical issues that guided all of European society. Commanding the loyalty and devotion of its parishioners, the Catholic Church was seen as the guardian of eternal truth and the mediator of salvation. During this period, allegations of moral and theological abuses by the church were brought into question. The crisis between the church and state called for a reform that was led by Martin Luther, a once devout Catholic monk. At the conclusion of the Protestant Reformation, the political influence of the Catholic Church was weakened considerably.

The Protestant Reformation and European expansion have both left political, social and economic impacts throughout history. The Protestant Reformation which was started in the 1500’s, by a Catholic man named Martin Luther caused political instability and fragmented the Holy Roman Empire. It economically caused the church to go bankrupt and socially allowed for the rise of individualism among the people; Luther gave the people of Europe the long needed reason to break free of the church. The Protestant Reformation and the need for new converts lead to the rise of European expansion. European expansion into the west resulted in a political increase of power for Europe, the social increase in slavery, disease and racism, as well as the

I believe the single biggest pressure that caused the most issues for England in the 16th and 17th century relate to the Reformation. The Reformation effected everyone in the country as they were forced into a new religion headed by the King. It drastically changed people’s lives and it’s no wonder why the change wasn’t fully accepted for a long time. Rapid population increase caused a significant strain on the country as they needed to develop new ways to feed everyone. The abolishment of common lands in favor of enclosure agriculture strained the poorest people in the country. All of these created mass amounts of tension and stress within a society transitioning into an economic power.

The intent of this paper is to evaluate the distinct character and quality of the expressions of the Protestant Reformation. This paper will discuss Lutheran Reformation, The Anabaptist, and The English Puritans as well as the Catholic Reformation also known as the Counter Reformation. It is the hope that after the reader has had the opportunity to view each of the characteristics and the expressions of each of the reformation the reader will have a better understanding of each and will be able to articulate the differences of each.

The Protestant Reformation occurred in the 16th century and had social, political, and economic effects in addition to establishing Protestantism. During the Renaissance, Italy was religious and the people were influenced by the church, however, there were parts of the Italian society that were secular. The Protestant Reformation was not successful in Italy because of the political power of the church and due to the corruption of the church and the local leaders. The Italians remained incredibly loyal.