Protestant Reformation Research Paper

Humans do not like changes, yet the human body must adapt to different environments; perhaps it is just that humans do not like changes when it can be controlled. Most people are familiar with the Protestant Reformation, this occurred around 1517 (History.com). During this Reformation, churches established structures and beliefs that are still observed and worshipped today; consequently, the Churches were purified and reconstructed. The Protestant Reformation is well known throughout the religious communities, yet it is not the only Reformation that had effects on churches. The Catholic Reformation was commenced by the Roman Catholic’s in an effort to fight Protestantism in Europe as well as to redevelop it. Proposition to reform the Church

Martin Luther, who believed that “[t]he true treasure of the church [was] the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God,” (Luther) was one of the crucial reformers, who commenced the split from the Catholic Church. In 1521 Cardinal Girolamo Aleandro created the Edict of Worms which would prohibit the reading or the keeping of Luther’s writings (Lutheranism 1). This caused Luther and his followers to separate from the Catholic Church and create the Lutheran religion. The Lutheran Church is considered a branch off of the Catholic Church. The Bible during this time was constantly being challenged. Martin Luther taught people that the Bible was to be strictly listened to, as it was the Word of God. Luther explained to his followers that there was a meaning to every sentence in the Bible. These views that Luther taught, however, are not carrying on today; people have come to believe that the Bible should not be taken word for word. Out of 1,926 adults that identify as Lutheran, 40% believed that the Bible was the Word of God, but not literally meant to be taken word for word. While 30% did not believe that the Bible was the word of God, but was written by humans (Lutheranism). Perspectives, at this time, were fogged by the countless views and changes throughout the

Due to the importance of the Reformation, it is often found that one cannot study European, England, or American history without learning about the Reformation. The Reformation’s effects can still be seen through politics and laws. Although the Catholic Church was slow to change in the beginning it, soon after, took on new practices and underwent a complete change to the spiritual leaders, unlike the Lutheran Church which did not take on as many changes. There are innumerable similarities and differences seen between the Catholic and Lutheran Churches. Yet, the Reformation had a stronger effect on the Catholic Church rather than the Lutheran Church. Many people end up baptized in one religion and then end up converting to the other religion. Both religions have loyal followers that do so much for the Church. The Catholic and Lutheran Churches have gained new practices that will forever affect the future of the two churches. The Reformation paved the way for the successful and prominent Lutheran and Catholic Churches that have so many supporters. If it were not for Martin Luther’s “Ninety-Five Theses” then the Reformation would not have sparked the major changes for the Churches. Changes will continue to occur as time goes on, so humans have nothing to fear as they will always adapt to the new