(Hook) The religion of Protestantism came to be when there was the breakup within Western Christianity started by Martin Luther, John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli and other Protestant Reformers. Protestantism came to be in the 16th century due the many influences in the surrounding world. Martin Luther opposed many of the Catholic Church’s teachings and sought change in the church. Huldrych Zwingli began questioning the Catholic Church in the early 15th century; eventually his ideas began to spread starting the concept of Zwinglism. French theologian, John Calvin his views on theology became popular and came to be known as Calvinism. During the 16th century numerous beliefs which differed from the Catholic Church arose, Lutheranism was the most substantial causes for coming of Protestantism. A series of events caused a domino effect during the period of Protestant …show more content…
He was a well-rounded thinker in the sense that he analyzed social, political and religious aspects of life. He was more political than John Calvin, and more theological than Martin Luther, but was influenced by the two of them. Zwingli was a very well educated sochalar who was not afraid to voice his opinion. He shaired numerous essays and sermons publishing his views on the Catholic Church during the time. Zwingli’s theology of Zwinglism was based heavily on the bible. It differed from the Catholic Church’s lessons as it did not depend on the traditions which were already in place in the Catholic Church. Zwingli’s first public controversy was in 1522, when he attacked the tradition of fasting during Lent. He was against indulgences, praying to saints, and other acts that separated God and man with man. The Swiss scholar also had strong views on celibately in priesthood as well as images in the church. Huldrych Zwingli brought about Zwinglism and his new views during the 15th century and had an effect on the becoming of the Protestantism.
In these Thesis’ Luther basically criticized the church’s wrongful practices and exposed the church’s corruption in order to bring about change in the church. Luther is quoted in Document 3 from his 95 thesis’ “Christian’s should be taught that he who gives to a poor man, or lends to a needy man, does better if he bought pardons.” Luther believed that actions, such as helping others did way more toward saving a person’s soul than buying a pardon did. He saw through the idea that one could by their way into heaven. He brought about new ideas such as God’s grace is the only way into heaven, not buying indulgences, or simply participating in church activities. His ideas eventually spread out all over Europe and his followers formed a group calling themselves Lutherans. This eventually became a protestant denomination, where Luther preached ideas, and his version of christianity. Also other reformist such as John Calvin had their own ideas, like predestination, and that everyone was full of sin until they were saved by christ. “We must resist the lust of the flesh, which, unless kept in order, overflows without measure.” (Document 6) Calvin believed that everyone was filled with this sinful “lust” that could not be kept in order without the power of christ. Calvin also started a sect of christianity nicknamed Calvinist after their leader. Both Luther and Calvin inspired others such as George Fox, who created quakerism, and Ulrich Zwingli who started anabaptism. Overall a huge force that drove the Protestant Reformation was reformers such as Martin Luther and John
Kittelson, James M. Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.
In conclusion, Luther, Zwingli, the Anabaptists and the Roman Catholics all had their problems and differences. However, these differences raised many controversial questions that caused people to really think about the government they were serving under and the religion they followed. People like Martin Luther questioned the authority of the pope and the church and caused many people to think of whether they were following the right thing. So despite many of the arguments between these three groups there was still much accomplished for Christ.
He was the man that formed the base of the Protestant Reformation. Luther knew he had to take action on this convictions immediately. So on behalf of the rebellion against indulgences and other Catholic doctrine, Luther created a “ Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” or more commonly known as “The 95 Theses.” The 95 Theses were a list of topics to discuss and propose the idea of indulgences. Or as some people would say to protest the sale of the indulgences of the Roman Catholic Church. The main seller of these indulgences was a man named John Tetzel who had promised the Christians that by paying they were “instantly” saved from sin. Legend says that on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were nailed onto the doors of the Wittenberg Castle Church. Luther knew that this revolt was not violent, but was only intended to educate
Luther’s Church would later be called Lutheran and opposed the authority of the Roman Church. This brings up the meaning behind Luther’s sermon in 1512. Luther’s anger and bias enraged him so much that nothing that the Roman Church did was good and the Roman Church needed to be destroyed. This is a far cry from a controversy on indulgences. Luther’s intent is seen clearly in his sermon when he says, “You say your Psalter, you pray your rosary, , you pray all kinds of other prayers, and say a lot of words; you say Mass, you kneel before the alter, you read confessions, you go mumbling and maundering; and all the while you think you are free from sin.” (Discovering,
The Protestant Reformation started with Martin Luther he believed that the Catholic church’s bible did not apply to everyone, he did not want anyone to be left out. So he rejected Churches and began gaining followers,these followers believed in the same things as martin. So they all started a new branch of the Christian religion. Eventually even more branches began to spring up so everyone was happy and believed in
In 1517, Martin Luther nailed a scroll known as the Ninety-five Theses onto the Catholic church. This list criticized many concepts of the Catholic church. For example, Martin Luther attacked the sale of indulgences, amount of power held by the Pope, and wealth of the church. Ultimately, the church was outraged and excommunicated Luther. This started a rebellion and a revolution. Luther’s goal was not to tear the church apart, but to try and reform the corrupt areas. “Luther did not intend to form a new religion; his struggle had been with Rome. Before he could build, he had to tear down- his religion was one of protest.” After being excommunicated, Luther created his own religion called Lutheranism. Lutheranism relates closely to the Catholic
In the year 1517, Zwingli was a German-speaking priest who was studying Greek. At this time Zwingli was a humanist. But by the year 1522, Zwingli was playing a very large role in the Anabaptism movement; in fact, at this time Zwingli had resolved to preach nothing but the true gospel and now he was very much in charge of the Anabaptist movement. Zwingli was a great leader because he was a scholar, a previous humanist, and an evangelical reformer. Because of this Zwingli had a very large appeal to all kinds of people and personalities, and many people came to him, therefore he was able to share the gospel with them (Estep).
There were many Christian approaches in the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, many of which approached the views of social thought. Protestantism, which opposing Roman Catholicism, came to the forefront and marked a significant conversion in the Christian world. The Protestant religion, enforced by such theologians as Zwingli, Luther and Calvin, was growing in rapidity, and the power that the Roman Catholic Church possessed was falling. Protestantism was rapidly gaining strength. Because of this action, two very different branches emerged to help and support the Christian religion and theological traditions. The two of them are Calvinism and Anabaptists. Both of these reformed movements tried to spread the gospel and to renew
with his 95 Theses. A strict father who most likely did not accept “no” as an
Luther, the most acclaimed of the reformists, only similarity with the Catholic theology of sacred and secular rule was that there were two rules which he called kingdoms. He believed that the civil kingdom could have influence over the spiritual rule, which is very similar to Zwingli’s position. Although they both surmised that the civil government was under the divine rule of God, Zwingli believed that tyrants could be overthrown and removed from power by those who elected them if they were not following the will of God. These small distinctions make the label between Lutheran and Reformist seems to be inconsequential when comparing Luther to Zwingli, however, a larger contrast is made when Calvin’s theology is added to the mix. Separating church authority and
Son of a copper miner, Martin Luther was born in November 10, 1483 in Eisleben.He decided to study in the University of Erfurt to become a lawyer and increase the Luther’s family success, but before long, after a terrifying thunderstorm, Martin promised that if he ended up save he would become a monk, and he did so. Luther ended up joining the monastic order, and soon became an Augustinian friar. In 1510, he visited Rome to support a group of augustinian monasteries and he didn’t like what he saw. He was angry with all that corruption in Rome, especially when the minister sold indulgences.
One of the reasons for the decline of Christianity among the European countries is the split of the church that occurred around the 16th century. Before then, Catholicism was the dominant religion, but protests over the leadership and doctrines led to the formation of the Protestants, with individuals like Martin Luther spearheading the reformation process. During this time, many believers could not question the authenticity or the correctness of the teachings. They had been made to believe everything that was delivered by the priests and church leaders.
Martin Luther was a friar very devoted to the Church but after analyzing all these aspects he decided to do something about it. On October 31, 1517 he attached to the door of Wittenberg Castle a list of 95 theses or propositions on indulgences. These theses criticized papal policies and were objections about he church put on hold for discussion.
Early reformers had some hesitation when considering challenging the church, however, neither Carlstadt nor Zwingli had scruples for separating from the unanimity of the Roman Catholic Church. Both Carlstadt and Zwingli began establishing further differing reforms or changes to the views of Martin Luther. Both evangelical and reformed traditions agreed that the church had instituted to unnecessary sacraments upon the laity especially given that the Bible only stated two sacraments, therefore both of these traditions rejected the superfluous sacraments while keeping the sacraments supported by the Bible. Carlstadt, who vehemently supported Luther’s attack on the church and the sale and purchase of indulgencies, began radical reforms within Germany. Such reforms that Carlstadt initiated included not elevating certain elements in regards to communion, wearing secular clothing during services, abolition of the mass, and condemning iconoclasm thus instituting a church without visual illustrations of God. Zwingli additionally called for further reform than Luther. Zwingli believed that unless the Bible stated a certain ceremony, ritual, symbol, or sacrament then it should be abolished from the church services. Though Zwingli believed that transubstantiation should be upheld, much like Luther, he did not believe that