Origin of the Reformation

[metis]

Yeah but @metis grew up in the States, where you even get Catholic fundamentalists....

Amen to dat.

 

[Kenny]

Martin Luther is often cited as the man who brought about the Protestant Reformation, but I believe that he was merely the end product of something that had been brewing for perhaps 200 years beforehand. His predecessors Wycliffe, Hus, Tyndale are well-enough known and I believe these people were just as seminal. There were problems with the Church for a long time before the Reformation, which are comprehended by both Catholics and Protestants, and we could even go as far back as the Investiture Controversy whereby the Holy Roman Empire/what would become Germany had problems with the Pope and had wranglings with the Papacy for a long time prior to this.

Where would you put the germ of the Protestant Reformation?

@Augustus @exchemist @RestlessSoul @Kenny @Treks

Good question and I would agree that Wycliffe, Hus and Tyndale were the main roots of the effort. I view the Investiture Controversy more of a political issue with what had become a religious organization like unto what Jesus had problems with. Martin Luther was another cog in the wheel in the effort to go back to the original teachings of Jesus. As Martin Luther discovered, righteousness was a free gift and indulgences were not biblical.

 

[metis]

Where would you put the germ of the Protestant Reformation?

Mainly political.

First of all, there was always politics and dissent within the Church as to be expected with pretty much any organization, and even Paul warned the Flock to be wary of those who sow division.

Secondly, there was always political conflicts within Europe and elsewhere, and it had long been the role of the Church to try and work out peaceful solutions. However, once countries split along with their new denominations, such a role became next to impossible, and the Wars of Religion plagued Europe for many decades and tensions stayed longer yet.

Thirdly, Jesus, the Apostles, and those whom they appointed referred to the Church as being "one body", but with that "one body" fragmenting into thousands of bodies with each feeling it's the only "true church", Jesus' and the Twelves' teachings have been betrayed.

But we should also remember that Joe & Mary Schmoe sitting in the pews are also very much part of the Church, and that has persisted for almost 2000 years, and there are a lot more of them than there are denominations and heads of denominations and churches, so not all is lost.