Protestant Reformation was a split in 16th century in the Western Christianity. Before the Reformation, all the Christians were Roman Catholics. Basically, reformation was a way to completely reform the Catholic Church. Reformers like Martin Luther wanted to reinstate people’s faith in the church by getting rid of corruption. In essence, it was instigated by John Calvin, Henry III and Martin Luther. Reformers efforts against the Roman Catholic Church’s ecclesiastical structure are what resulted in Protestant Churches’ creation. Other than the weaknesses in the Catholic Church and the Catholic hierarchy, the paper reviews core contributors as well as the role played by Martin Luther.
The Protestant Reformation was motivated by weaknesses in the Catholic Church and the Catholic hierarchy. Reformation was initiated by the reformers on the grounds of the following.
i. Scientific advancements that essentially contradicted the church.
15th century is described as an information age. Innovations allowed mass printing of pamphlets and books. Many of these books concentrated on secular topics (Arnold 1). The invention of the printing press in effect made more people exposed to the secular ideas. In essence, Protestant Reformation came into effect as a result of the growth in secular power of the Roman Church. This caused a lot of unrest amongst European Catholics and thus resulted in Protestantism in 1600s. At the end, reformers turned reformers against Roman Catholic rituals, doctrines as well as its ecclesiastical structure.
ii. Sale of Indulgencies
Reformers were also against the teachings and sale of indulgence. The indulgence was the lessening of punishment owed for an individual’s sins that have been confessed and therefore forgiveness given. Theologians like Albertus Magnus perceived the merits of the saints (Catholic) as the grounds that granted indulgence (Arnold 1). However, growth of substantial abuse of indulgence like clear sale of indulgence led to protestant reformation.
iii. The Corruption within the Catholic Church
The corruption of the papacy greatly eroded the faith of the people in Roman Catholic Church. Reformers felt oppressed and fed up with the continued corruption in the Roman Catholic Church. The war was excited between the princes. There was also uprising among peasants. This led to extensive concern over the church’s corruption. As a result, a move to completely reform the Catholic Church came into effect and it was the reformation.
iv. 100 years war and the death of black men
The killing of the blacks as well led to the reformation. The oppression of the blacks as well their deaths eroded the faith in Catholic Church. This led to the Protestantism creation. Other factors that contributed to protestant reformation are the fall of eastern Roman Empire and the Western split.
The Protestant Reformation would still have happened without Martin Luther. Pre-reformers like John Calvin and Henry III and popes were already working out ways how to free themselves from the oppression of the Catholic Church. As a result of Martin Luther’s leadership and his 95 theses that criticized the power of the pope, indulgences and extreme wealth of the Catholic made fellow reformists believe that the church was extremely wrong in their teaching of the salvation by indulgences and works. Besides, the political and intellectual climate made the reform movement more formidable.
Martin Luther’s role was to force church to allow humanism. He advocated for humanism and that people were not supposed to be forced to follow the church. Nevertheless, were it not for his 95 theses that invited debate to determine the legitimacy of sale of indulgence, reformation would have not materialized. German humanists gave him support on issues relating to Christians freedom, Reform of the Christian Estate as well as the Babylonian Captivity of the Church. His view of humanism is definitely what promulgated Protestant Reformation.
Protestant Reformation was not a wholly religious in nature once it was in full swing. It led to much radical changes in people’s thoughts in political organization as well as in ecclesiastical. For instance, it made kings gain complete control over their kingdoms. Besides, it led to the current concepts of democracy.
In conclusion, it is evident that Protestant Reformation was initiated by the reformers who were against sale of indulgence by priests. Also, Roman Catholic Church’s corruption, Martin Luther’s 95 theses as well the formation of the church in England by King Henry VIII as well as the printing press invention contributed to the protestant reformation.
Works cited
Arnold, J.K. The Cause and Results of The Reformation. 1999. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. http://old.thirdmill.org/newfiles/jac_arnold/CH.Arnold.RMT.2.html
Grudin , R. Humanism – lost Credo of our Species .2011. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.
Kreis , S . Renaissance Humanism. 2000. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.
Streich, M. Causes of the Protestant Reformation. 2010. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.
