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==Reformation==

==Reformation==

Schisms in Christianity had occurred in the Middle Ages, most notably between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.  But throughout the Middle Ages the Holy Roman Empire maintained one Christian church in western and northern Europe, based in Rome, under the leadership and authority of one pope.

Schisms in Christianity had previously occurred in the Middle Ages, most notably between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East.  But throughout the Middle Ages, from A.D. 500 to 1500, the Holy Roman Empire maintained one Christian church in western and northern Europe, based in Rome, under the leadership and authority of one, usually undisputed pope.

It seems doubtful that the King of England and powerful German princes would accept the authority of any religious leader in Rome forever.  Kings and princes do not usually like being told what to do, and a big disagreement is usually resolved in favor of the person with the biggest army.  Even what appears to be a little disagreement, such as a dispute over the use of icons, can provide the spark for a separation that was already festering for decades or centuries.  In addition, accusations of corruption within the Catholic Church and charges that high-ranking clergy participated in serious crimes and immoral conduct provided reasons to leave.

As the independent power of England and the German territory grew, it seems doubtful that the King of England and powerful German princes would accept the authority of any religious leader in Rome forever.  Kings and princes do not usually like being told what to do, and a big disagreement is usually resolved in favor of the person having the biggest army.  Even what appears to be a little disagreement, such as a dispute over the use of icons, can provide the spark for a separation that was already festering for decades or centuries.  Peoples who speak different languages and have different cultures are difficult to hold together in one organization.

===The First Western European Schism: in Germany===

 

===The Reformation in Germany===

The disagreement that ignited the Reformation did not seem large at the time.  Pope Leo X was an ambitious and extravagant man from the prominent Italian Medici family, and he became pope at the vigorous young age of 37.  He wanted to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican in a lavish style that he thought was appropriate for such a special church.  To do so, he needed to raise a great deal of money.  He invited donations in the names of the deceased, usually a relative of the donor.

The disagreement that ignited the Reformation did not seem large at the time.  Pope Leo X was an ambitious and extravagant man from the prominent Italian Medici family, and he became pope at the vigorous young age of 37.  He wanted to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican in a lavish style that he thought was appropriate for such a special church.  To do so, he needed to raise a great deal of money.  He invited donations in the names of the deceased, usually a relative of the donor.

Lutheranism has only 70 million adherents today, which is only about 7% of the Catholic population.  But nearly all Christians, including Catholics, have sung a famous hymn written by Luther:  “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  Moreover, hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide agree with Luther that justification or salvation is by faith alone.

Lutheranism has only 70 million adherents today, which is only about 7% of the Catholic population.  But nearly all Christians, including Catholics, have sung a famous hymn written by Luther:  “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  Moreover, hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide agree with Luther that justification or salvation is by faith alone.

===The Second Western European Schism: in England===

===The Schism in England===

As early as 1361 there were criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church from England.  John Wyclif (or Wycliffe) (1330-1384) was a lecturer at Oxford University, a leading world university founded in the late 1100s.  Wyclif was very critical of the perceived wealth and power of the Catholic Church and questioned the scriptural basis for the pope.  Wyclif declared the Bible as the sole guide for Christians, and Wyclif translated the Bible into English.  But Wyclif was forced out of Oxford when he rejected the doctrine of transubstantiation and when the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381 was blamed on Wyclif’s teachings.

As early as 1361 there were criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church from England.  John Wyclif (or Wycliffe) (1330-1384) was a lecturer at Oxford University, a leading world university founded in the late 1100s.  Wyclif was very critical of the perceived wealth and power of the Catholic Church and questioned the scriptural basis for the pope.  Wyclif declared the Bible as the sole guide for Christians, and Wyclif translated the Bible into English.  But Wyclif was forced out of Oxford when he rejected the doctrine of transubstantiation and when the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381 was blamed on Wyclif’s teachings.

There were subsequently “protestant” separations from the Church of England.  For example, the Pilgrims who left England on the Mayflower and landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, sought to break away from the Church of England.  The larger and more successful Puritans who settled in Boston sought to “purify” the Church of England while remaining in it.

There were subsequently “protestant” separations from the Church of England.  For example, the Pilgrims who left England on the Mayflower and landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, sought to break away from the Church of England.  The larger and more successful Puritans who settled in Boston sought to “purify” the Church of England while remaining in it.

===Other Protestant Movements===

===Other Protestant Reformation Movements===

There was a Reformation in Switzerland started by Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) and continued by John Calvin (1509-1564), who emphasized justification by faith alone and also predestination, whereby the decision about who goes to heaven and who to hell was made before the creation of the world.  Calvin established a theocracy in Geneva, Switzerland.

There was a Reformation in Switzerland started by Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) and continued by John Calvin (1509-1564), who emphasized justification by faith alone and also predestination, whereby the decision about who goes to heaven and who to hell was made before the creation of the world.  Calvin established a theocracy in Geneva, Switzerland.

A majority of the United States has always been Protestant, as has every single president except John F. Kennedy (who was Catholic).  Nearly every Founder of the United States was Protestant.

A majority of the United States has always been Protestant, as has every single president except John F. Kennedy (who was Catholic).  Nearly every Founder of the United States was Protestant.

===Catholic Church’s Internal Reformation===

===The Counter-Reformation===

In 1545, the Catholic Church convened the Council of Trent to address Protestantism, and the Council deliberated until 1563.  It banned the sale of any indulgences in the future.  The Council also affirmed the Church’s view that the Bible and Church were of equal authority, and the Church’s interpretation of the Bible was the final authority.  Both faith and good works were necessary for salvation under Church doctrine.  The Council also created an Index of Forbidden Books, which listed books that Catholics were not to read.  This Index remained in effect until 1966, when the Second Vatican Council abolished it.  In sum, the Catholic Church reaffirmed its basic doctrines in its response to the Reformation.

In 1545, the Catholic Church convened the Council of Trent to address Protestantism, and the Council deliberated until 1563.  It banned the sale of any indulgences in the future.  The Council also affirmed the Church’s view that the Bible and Church were of equal authority, and the Church’s interpretation of the Bible was the final authority.  Both faith and good works were necessary for salvation under Church doctrine.  The Council also created an Index of Forbidden Books, which listed books that Catholics were not to read.  This Index remained in effect until 1966, when the Second Vatican Council abolished it.  In sum, the Catholic Church reaffirmed its basic doctrines in its response to the Reformation.