The Protestant Movement And The Reformation

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Protestant Movement Different interpretations led to disagreements among the religious people. Near the 16th century, the protestant movement emerged in reaction to medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices. Protestantism influenced social, economic, political, and cultural life in any area that it gained a foothold (Nelson, E. C.). It is one of three major branches of Christianity. The other two are Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The core beliefs stand the same between the three: the doctrines of the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, the necessity of grace to save humans from the consequences of sin, and the centrality of Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation. (Library) Origin The posting of Martin Luther’s 95 theses was his first act of dissent. It is said that he did not originally plan to start a new church. His intentions were to reform the Catholic Church. Over the next decades the movement evolved as more people agreed with Luther’s ideas and arguments, and the Church rejected them (Library). In 1529 the name “Protestant” first appeared in Germany. At one time the emperor of Germany allowed each ruler to choose whether to administer the Edict of Worms. 14 cities and six Lutheran princes said that this forced them to choose between obedience to God or to Caesar to which they must choose God. The participants of the protest became known as Protestants. Others were called evangelicals and Huguenots (Nelson, E. C.). Separation Some leaders of the Protestant movement were Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others who led the reformers who “broke from the Roman Catholic Church due to abusive ecclesiological structures and theological differences” (Library). Different churches chose what level of connection w... ... middle of paper ... ...g, New International, Latin Vulgate, Tyndale, Wycliffe, and so on. Each version specifies to different needs (Bible Versions and Translations Online). Three differences- textual, informational, and philosophical- guide the translations. These influences lead people, such as John Calvin, to decide what is right for their church. One version of the Bible may be to accommodate to the beliefs of that sect. The churches that broke away in to their own typically took out the books that did not fall in line with the beliefs. Other times translations were literally just translations of the original Greek Bible. Over time it is necessary to grow in knowledge and advance what is known about the language. Different countries also need to create their own translations so that the majority of religious people will be able to read and understand the Bible (Why So Many Versions?).

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