At the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Catholic Church, modeled upon the bureaucratic structure of the Holy Roman Empire, has become extremely powerful, but internally corrupt. From early in the twelfth century onward there were calls for reform. Between 1215 and 1545 nine church-councils were held with church reforms as their primary intent. The councils all fail to reach significant accord. The clergy was unable to live according to church doctrine, and the abuse of church ceremonies and practices continued. The Reformation was a movement within Western Christendom to purge the church of medieval abuses and to restore the doctrines and practices that the reformers believed conformed with the Bible and the New Testament model of the church. But besides the more evident spiritual cause of Reformation there were two more, economical, and political.
The preparation for reformation was long. Opponents of Orthodox views had asserted themselves over the centuries, and in the 14th century John Wyclif had led a dissident movement. From 1377 he made many vigorous attacks in both Latin and English on Orthodox Church doctrines, especially that of transubstantiation . He spread the doctrine
. . .
With the support of the nobility, the revolt was spreading with incredible speed over Central and Northern Germany, and almost immediately extended beyond its borders. Those who were feeling the first and welcome experience of nationalism were anxious to shake off the hand of Rome. The nobles were enabled to cast off allegiance to the Holy Roman emperor and to enrich themselves by seizing the immense landed estates of the church. All the elements of discontent and rebellion combined together. John Calvin also had great influence in his home country, France, in Scotland, and among the Puritans in England.
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ƒæ Church¡¦s emphasis on money, economic oppressiveness of members of the church hierarchy (pg.
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A significant political change occurred during the later Middle Ages. The combination of spiritual, economical, and political reasons and ultimately led to the freedom of dissent. Merchants and capitalists found the air of individual freedom exhilarating.
It can be truthfully said that Reformation got a ¡§jumpstart¡¨ when an Augustinian university professor named Martin Luther posted on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg, 95 theses inviting debate over legality of the sale of indulgences. 1)
ƒæ Connection between new modes of religious thought and economic change (pg. Geneva became the center of a great missionary enterprise. Through its emphasis on the biblical languages, the Renaissance led to Martin Luther¡¦s doctrinal reinterpretation. Many rulers, particularly in Scandinavia, welcomed the opportunity to end the interference of the church in state affairs.
The introduction of printing in Western Europe allowed more widespread dissemination of criticism.
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