How Did The Protestant Reformation Impact Society

The Protestant Reformation of the Catholic Church devastated the religious unity of Christian Europe, resulting in a great deal of antagonism, which in turn led to the persecutions, denial of civil rights, expulsion, and ultimately the torture and death of many men, women and children. The ongoing conflict was not consigned to one distinct European nation, but was experienced in every European nation that the Catholic Church ruled and reigned. There was no worldview in Europe at that time that allowed for the religious differences of men to coexist peaceably.

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.

To begin, the Protestant Reformation began in reaction to the Catholic Church’s rather corrupt practices. Prior to the Reformation, the only major Christian denomination in Western Europe at the time was Catholicism, headed by the Pope in Rome. Through many acts of violence such as the formation of the Spanish Inquisition and the slaughter of the Cathars, amongst others, Europe’s Monarchs had wiped out and suppressed any form of religious competition. With the Catholic Church holding a tight stranglehold over Europe, Catholicism was the only option. This allowed

The protestant reformation was a significant turning point during the 16th century that completely revolutionized the Roman Catholic Church. The “reformation” was launched in 1517 when a German monk by the name of Martin Luther posted his “95 Theses” on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg. The main ideas of this publication was that selling and buying indulgences was wrong and that the pope has no power over purgatory. These 95 revolutionary opinions formed the basis for the protestant reformation which revolutionized western civilization over the next three centuries. Although most people believe these reforms only affected religion, the reformation also impacted political life. Politics played an enormous role in the reformation due to the fact that political rulers wanted to extend their power and control using the church. Throughout the course of the protestant reformation, political authorities such as Emperor Charles V and Henry

While many are unaware, the Protestant Reformation continues to be impactful in how people in America today view freedom, government, and rights. In general, the Reformation has played a role on the construction of America’s social order and diversity, the day-to-day natural life, and religious freedom. Beginning with the American Constitution, the foundation of Christianity (unversed in any other part of the world), unites religious moral standards with the American way of thinking regarding cultural diversity, equal rights, religious belief, and sexual characteristics.

What was the Protestant Reformation? Put into its simplest form, it was the evolution of the Roman Catholic Church; changing the religious beliefs and practices forever. Many people throughout history contributed to this famous movement, but not all of these people get the recognition they deserve, for example, Anne Boleyn. She was the queen of England from 1533 to 1536, becoming queen by marrying King Henry VIII. She brought new reformist ideas to the table, saved those being persecuted, and, with her dying words, provided an example of the one thing Christians everywhere should live by: love. Although her modern and unique views might have been looked down upon during the time of her reign, Christians today can view her as role model and a martyr.

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

13. ‘01 Discuss the political and social consequences of the Protestant Reformation in the first half of the sixteenth century.

The Protestant Reformation partook so much of past and future theology that it may best be viewed as a transition between the medieval and modern periods in church history. As such, it was a significant break with the past. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Reformation’s break with the past was its emphasis upon the Scriptures as the sole source of authority and rule of faith in the believer’s life. This was a radical departure from the medieval attitude that tradition, as well as the Scriptures, as interpreted and promulgated by the Roman Catholic hierarchy is the rule of life. Although the early Reformation leaders did not fully appreciate or apply the implications of their principles, the effect of their movement was to unfetter

became a little bit more secular. Some kings brought church under the state to have full

The Impact of the Protestant Reformation has influenced how individuals in today’s society view freedom, government, and right. The Constitution was put in place so that individuals was put in place to govern over the United States. However, the constitution prohibits individuals reading and studying the Bible in a school setting. The Protestant Reformation plays an important factor in individuals lives today. Back then, religion was based on an individual’s life. In today’s society, individuals have of the religion they choose to practice. If it was not for the Protestant Reformation, individuals could be forced to practice religion rather than by free will. All individual has the right to freedom, religion, and happiness. The Bible

To understand these Reformation-era women and their roles in the protestant reformation it is necessary to understand women in the history of Christianity, therefore this paper will explore this history of women in the Reformation-era and the roles of women in the church and how they and their husbands impacted the lives views and roles during the reformation.

The start of the Reformation was a product of various instances but one of the most notable was the acts of Martin Luther. His open statements about his concerns on the Roman Catholics as stated in his 95 theses sparked a lot of interest especially for those people who also share the same sentiments. Eventually, these events led to the excommunication of Luther, meaning that the Roman Catholic Church would not recognize Luther as part of their religion in any way. Protestant Reformation was then done in order to support the belief that practices of the Roman Catholics such as nepotism and indulgences were not done accordingly in line with what is written in the

“Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place (Luther).” With these words Luther began the long war against the Catholic Church, that would later become known as the protestant Reformation. It would be one of the largest forces of change that Europe faced. The Reformation would not only change theology, but also spawn wars and colonization.

An international phenomenon, the Protestant Reformation brought many cultural changes, as well as new ideas, ideologies, and philosophies. The first major developments were educational and economic growths. Before the Reformation, books were hard to come by because each had to be handwritten. However, with the invention of the printing press, books were made more available, thus spreading ideas to more people, including the lower class. The overall effect being the dawn of a new cultural age that creates Modern Europe.