Chistianity's Reform

For centuries the Roman Catholic Church’s understanding of its role in the world and its perception of the world beyond Rome, were becoming less and less compatible with actual conditions. Society had been changing in Europe throughout the Middle Ages, the Renaissance was dramatically transforming the way in which people looked at the world around them, and more importantly, how they looked at themselves and their place in the world.

The pace of change was not rapid, but it was relentless, and the church in Rome had not kept pace with events. Church leaders were out of touch with the common people, and unable or unwilling to admit that all was not well in Christendom. Corruption had worked its insidious way into the ranks of the clergy, and alienated many of the common people, who recognized bas

In support of his action, Luther declared that he could not submit his faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it was clear as day they had frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless he was convinced otherwise by the testimony of Scripture he could not and would not retract his beliefs. (Kirsch 271)

More overwhelmingly, the Reformation forever divided the Catholic Church, and ultimately led to freedom of dissent. The preparation for the movement was long and there had been earlier calls for reform by leaders such as John Wycliffe and John Huss. Desire for change within the church was increased by the Renaissance, with its study of ancient texts and emphasis on the individual.

The end of the devastating Thirty Years War in 1648 brought some stabilization,

Other external factors that aided the Reformation movement in Europe were the invention of printing, as mentioned above, the rise of commerce, foreign trade, and a middle class, and political conflicts between German princes and the Holy Roman emperor. Luther’s doctrine was of justification by faith alone instead of by sacraments, good works, and meditation, and it placed a person in direct communication with God. His insistence on reading the Bible placed on the individual a greater responsibility for his own salvation.

In England, the Reformation took its own course. Motivated by a variety of considerations, King Henry VIII issued the Act of Supremacy in 1534, which rejected papal control and created the Anglican Church. Calvinistic thought was, however, strong in England, and it influenced later reforms. Across the English Channel, divisions within the Protestant churches served to forward the Counter Reformation, which regained some territory for the Catholic Church.

As a result, church liturgy was transformed, congregational singing was stimulated, and new modes of communal living developed. The decrees of rulers and cities gave the Reformation a firm organizational foundation through independent state churches. Finally, after decades of religious conflict, the Peace of Augs

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