Reformation

arsa · #1 Sunday, June 29, 2008

Reformation in Europe

The Church of Rome dominated Europe in the 16th century. Most of the socio-political and economic activities of various countries were highly influenced by the Church and the higher Clergy had become worldly and corrupt. People saw these irreligious acts in the name of religion. They did not like it. They desired a change in the entire Church system. This strong desire of the people led to a revolution in the religious life of Europe in the 16th century. This is termed as "The Reformation." It aimed to reform the entire institution of the Church. The reformers targeted certain major areas of change. They sought to improve the moral lives of the Clergy. They attempted to repudiate the Papal claim to ecclesiastical supremacy. They asserted the political power and importance at the national level.

There were several reasons for this revolt against tradition. Since the 13th century, the Roman Catholic Popes had paid less attention to their main work, that of spreading religion. They were occupied with other activities and pleasures of the world. In other words, they indulged in what their religion considered excess. They were also interested in the politics of Europe for personal reasons. The common people saw all this. Antagonistic feelings were clearly on the rise.

Another sore factor was that the Church owned large amounts of land etc. The revenue from these lands directly went into the Roman coffers. It caused a heavy drain to the National Treasury as this money could be used for the national development of the country.

The Pope used to dominate European politics. He acted as per his own whim, often setting aside the desires of the Kings and Princes. With the rise of nationalism, discontent was latent.

The Reformation helped several national governments to free themselves from the Papal authority. Nations now could take their decisions without the interference of the Church. Poor peasants were now freed from paying taxes to the Church. Countries like England, Scotland, Denmark, North Germany etc. were freed from Church authority.

The new faith Protestantism gave importance to the authority of the Bible. Church authority reduced to a great extent. People now started to question every aspect of religion and its importance.
The Official Instatement of Protestantism

As Charles grew old his command over Germany weakened. His opponents consolidated their position while he was distracted by wars with the French and the Turks. In 1526, at Speyer, in the Recess Declaration of the Diet, they managed to insert a clause for princely liberty in religion. In other words, they declared that the ruler has the right to determine the state’s religion. At the second Diet of Speyer in 1529, they formally lodged the Protest which gave them their name.

At Augsburg in 1530, they presented the Protestant manifesto, composed by Melanchthon. Charles refused to acknowledge their protest. He set April 1531 as the deadline for submitting to his dictum. In defiance, the Protestant Princes formed the armed League of Schmalkalden. From now on the Catholic-Protestant divide was clearly demarcated. The provinces were free to select either Protestantism or Catholicism and people were encouraged to emigrate accordingly.

Calvinism
In 1541, Jean Calvin (1509-64), a fugitive Frenchman founded this branch of Protestantism in Geneva. He rose as the leader of Swiss Protestantism when its leader, Zwingli died. He became a popular leader and chief preacher of the city and organized a theocratic government in Geneva. He made Geneva a center of Protestant propaganda. He translated the Bible into French and wrote theological treatises. He published "The Institute of Christian Religion," an influential Protestant document. He also founded a Protestant School at the University of Geneva.

Luther did not oppose those Church practices that did not have direct basis in the Scriptures (i.e. the Bible). Calvin, however, stressed that anything not expressly authorized by scriptures should not be practiced. Calvin set the example of stern simplicity and relentless activity. For this he was nicknamed the ‘Protestant Pope.’ He was responsible for the spread of Calvinism to other countries as well. The Calvinists also created a free Dutch Republic, the Netherlands and veered Scotland towards Calvinism.

Reformation in England
Henry VIII was impelled to quarrel with the Papacy owing to the desire to dissolve his marriage with Catherine of Aragon. He also wanted to prevent the interference of foreign powers in the national and international affairs of the country. By initiating the Reformation, Henry VIII intended to change the organization of the Church, its doctrines and methods regarding worship. The doctrines and practices of Luther and Calvin arose only later. Historically Henry VIII was the first to resist the Catholic Church.

Mary undid all of Henry’s reformation. She secured the reconciliation of England to Rome. She married a Stuart Catholic and tried to enforce Catholicism on English people. Her successor, Elizabeth maintained the compromise policy i.e., she combined the principles of both faiths and established the "Anglican Church." She personally supported the Protestant movement in Europe.

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