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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

The '''Protestant Reformation''' was the 16th century movement which led to the separation of the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches from the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. It is usually said to have started when [[Martin Luther]] nailed his ''[[95 Theses]]'' to the door of the cathedral in Wittenburg, Germany calling for a discussion of  false doctrines and malpractices within the Catholic Church as he saw them. These included the sale of [[indulgences]] and the doctrine underlying them, as well as the powers of the Pope. He had not, however, intended to create a rival church.

The '''Protestant Reformation''' was the 16th century movement which led to the separation of the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches from the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. It is usually said to have started when [[Martin Luther]] nailed his ''[[95 Theses]]'' to the door of the cathedral in Wittenburg, Germany calling for a discussion of  false doctrines and malpractices within the Catholic Church as he saw them. These included the sale of [[indulgences]] and the doctrine underlying them, as well as the powers of the Pope. He had not, however, intended to create a rival church.

In these points, Luther (and Protestantism generally) rejected the Catholic Church's beliefs that there is an equality of Tradition with Scripture, in the efficacy of our own good deeds joined to saving faith in Christ's unmerited gift of salvation, and in the idea that it is the clergy and the institutional church that make possible the ordinary Christian's access to God through [[intercession]] and the [[sacrament]]s.   

In these points, Luther (and Protestantism generally) rejected the Catholic Church's beliefs that there is an equality of Tradition with Scripture, in the efficacy of our own good deeds joined to saving faith in Christ's unmerited gift of salvation, and in the idea that it is the clergy and the institutional church that make possible the ordinary Christian's access to God through [[intercession]] and the [[sacrament]]s.   

 

In Switzerland, other Protestants quickly followed Luther's lead. [[Ulrich Zwingli]] and then [[John Calvin]] preached an even less ceremonial brand of Christianity. Whereas Luther had retained most of the worship style of Catholicism if not all of its structure and doctrines, the Swiss Reformers sought a simpler style of worship and a more decentralized system of church government. Their churches normally are termed "Reformed," as opposed to Luther's following which is known by his name ("Lutheran"), as "Evangelical," or by a combination of the two words.   

In Switzerland, other Protestants quickly followed Luther's lead. [[Ulrich Zwingli]] and then [[John Calvin]] preached an even less ceremonial brand of Christianity. Whereas Luther had retained most of the worship style of Catholicism if not all of its structure and doctrines, the Swiss Reformers sought a simpler style of worship and a more decentralized system of church government. Their churches normally are termed "Reformed," as opposed to Luther's following which is known by his name ("Lutheran"), as "Evangelical," or by a combination of the two words.   

"Protestants" opposed the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption they saw in the Church of the time, which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]]. They were opposed to what they considered to be excessive devotion directed towards [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the saints rather than true Biblical Christianity seen as a matter of inward devotion.

"Protestants" opposed the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption they saw in the Church of the time, which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]]. They were opposed to what they considered to be excessive devotion directed towards [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the saints rather than true Biblical Christianity seen as a matter of inward devotion.

Most of the early Protestants wanted less in the way of outward symbols of ceremony and ritual and rejected the authority of the Pope (because they believed the only true authority to be the [[Bible]]). The various Protestant churches wanted the Bible to be available to all by publishing it in the common language and by promoting universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] and monasticism were rejected, along with the Catholic use of images in church buildings, priestly vestments, and many of the Catholic Church's festival days. Instead, Protestantism emphasized a new participation in public worship services by the members of the congregation. Congregational singing became a feature of Protestantism, unlike Catholic worship. The wine in Communion was distributed to the congregants, no longer being reserved for the priest as had been Catholic practice. And in most churches, the congregation was empowered to select its own ministers rather than have them chosen, in Catholic fashion, by the bishop.  

Most of the early Protestants wanted less in the way of outward symbols of ceremony and ritual and rejected the authority of the Pope (because they believed the only true authority to be the [[Bible]]). The various Protestant churches wanted the Bible to be available to all by publishing it in the common language and by promoting universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] and monasticism were rejected, along with the Catholic use of images in church buildings, priestly vestments, and many of the Catholic Church's festival days. Instead, Protestantism emphasized a new participation in public worship services by the members of the congregation. Congregational singing became a feature of Protestantism, unlike Catholic worship. The wine in Communion was distributed to the congregants, no longer being reserved for the priest as had been Catholic practice. And in most churches, the congregation was empowered to select its own ministers rather than have them chosen, in Catholic fashion, by the bishop.

==History==

==History==

*[[Indulgences]]

*[[Indulgences]]

*[[John Calvin]]

*[[John Calvin]]

*[[Ulrich Swingli]]

*[[Ulrich Zwingli]]

*[[John Knox]]

*[[John Knox]]

*[[Martin Luther]]

*[[Martin Luther]]

*[[Huguenots]], Protestant in France

*[[Huguenots]], Protestant in France

*[[Church of England]]

*[[Church of England]]

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Andreas Rudolf Bodenstein von Carlstadt]]

*[[Andreas Rudolf Bodenstein von Carlstadt]]

*[[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]

*[[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]

==Further reading==

==Further reading==