Analysis Of Michel Baylor's Book: The German Reformation And The Peasants War

As western civilization evolved, change has influenced the landscape of many civilizations. The German Reformation of the early 16th century, inspired great amounts of change throughout parts of Europe. In Michel Baylor’s book, “The German Reformation and the Peasants’ War,” Baylor focuses on the roles of rebellion, violence, Christianity, and most importantly, the misinterpretation of reformation teachings during the Peasants’ War. The change caused by the Reformation and the Peasants’ War led to a decrease in religious practices and a violent rebellion. Christianity characterized the Peasants’ War among the people. In addition to Christianity, a rebellion fueled by the differences among these people, and violence against people who supported

The violence demonstrated by the peasants was not only directed toward the people. Objects and religious institutions were also targeted. Baylor states, “One was violent anticlericalism and iconoclasm-the deliberate destruction of religious icons and images” (Baylor). The violence started off directed at objects and symbols of clergy, until it reached new heights. However, the economic pressure put on peasants by the nobility caused large amounts of resentment against nobility. Results of violence during the Peasants’ War were ways that peasants expressed their feelings about nobility during that time. The violence had to be justified by the religion in order to make things

In modern Christianity, violence is not well known of in people’s minds. Modern Christians view violence as an event that only occurs during a time of war. The similarities between a reformation Christian’s idea of violence and when it should occur are not much different from today’s understandings. The Peasants’ War originated from the abuse against Peasants by the noble ones. Even though the times are different, many changes have occurred from the reformation to the modern day. However, many minds and hearts of the people stay the same. During the Peasants’ War religion was used as justification and in modern day Christianity

Religion is rarely used as justification. The similarities along with the differences are very obvious between early protestant Christianity and modern day Christianity. The Reformation and the Peasants’ War made a distinct change in the western civilization. The war saw the killing of thousands of peasants and a decrease in demographic Santo 4 numbers. The reformation started the breaking of tradition of Christian religion and the onset of the formation of new religious views. The misinterpretation of the reformers constructed a change throughout western