Martin Luther and John Calvin in the Reformation
The Lutheran and Calvinist Reformations are very similar in principle. Martin Luther and John Calvin hold that not mere abuses of the Roman Catholic Church need correcting, but that the Catholic Church itself is wrong in principle. I will discuss the platforms from which religious revolutionaries Luther and Calvin stand in church reform as well as the tendency of women to agree with the reforms during 16th century European religion. Luther's cause for reformation comes from his unnatural paranoia that he is eternally damned because he has problems convincing himself that his spirit is pure enough for heaven. His internal distress rages within him about the omnipotence of God, his own insignificant existence in comparison, and his apprehensiveness of the devil. His personal problems do not yield to the existing manners of assuring oneself that he is headed for heaven such as sacraments, alms, prayer attendance at Mass, and assorted "good works." Luther solves this problem, however, by believing that good works are the consequence and external evidence of an inner grace, but in no way the cause of this grace. He feels that if one has faith in themselves, the religion, and God, then good works will manifest themselves be
Martin Luther and John Calvin both desired to see change in the Roman Church and protested against the church principles with reform driven revolts. Luther also preaches the final authority of the Bible with respect to theological matters, also completely different from the Roman Catholic view which holds that the Church is the final authority with regard to theological concerns. The Church of Rome, thoroughly monolithic, was not about to mutate into something else. The power of the Roman clergy can not exist if such concepts are to be accepted. The reformations they ensued resulted in the church's foundation being strengthened in practices, beliefs, and body. New refreshments of zeal, morale, and practices inspired the church to influence anyone to conclude that the reform was indeed needed. As Luther sees it, no sacrament is effective by itself without listening to the Word associated with the sacrament, and the faith that believes in it. This is Luther's doctrine of justification by faith. It is also important to note that Luther does not advocate an actual separation from the Roman Catholic Church. "I now intend, by the help of God, to throw some light upon the wiles and wickedness of these men" (The Address). However, this idea is heresy as far as the Roman Catholic Church is concerned and deems the sacramental power of its priests no longer necessary if this concept prevails. If this had taken place, the Protestant Reformation would probably not have ever evolved, nor would it have been necessary. Although both of them reject transubstantiation, Luther maintains that God is somehow actually present in the bread and wine used in the service while Calvin regards it as an act of symbolic nature. Calvin feels that God knows and wills in advance all things that happen, including the way in which every life turns out. Reformers stress that the home is the domain of the wife and a Christian home is to be a place of love and warmth.
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