The Reformation Dbq

The Reformation was the period in the 16th century where people opposed the unbiblical acts of the Catholic Church. Around and before this time, the Roman Catholic Church was very involved in the political matters of Western Europe. Not only was their influence prevalent in Europe’s politics, but their power and wealth was immense as well. As with any party or person with too much influence and power, they become corrupt. They deceived people by promising them spiritual comfort. One way they did this was by indulgences, which were payments to the church to get yourself or a relative out of purgatory. Consequently, the Church tried to keep their community under control by only allowing the Priests to teach the Bible. In the years prior to the start of the Reformation, people

were already speaking on the issue of the Roman Catholic Church.

(https://www.britannica.com/event/Reformation).
The main leaders of the Reformation were Martin Luther and John Calvin. Martin Luther, a professor, monk, and reformer, disagreed with the Roman Catholic Church. He believed that the Bible should be read by everyone, not only for a priest to teach. He conveyed vividly that the Bible does not describe anything close to indulgences, but it needs to reach everyone. He also realized that, unlike what the Church taught, one must believe that faith alone would bring salvation. With that he wrote the 95 Theses and nailed it on the door of Wittenberg University, setting the Reformation into motion. In 1519, Luther declared that nowhere in the Bible did it affirm that the Pope can exclusively interpret the Word. A year later in 1520, Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. (https://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-9389283). His influence on setting the Reformation into motion was tremendous; accordingly, another man by the name of John Calvin

had an impressive impact on the fundamental ideas of Protestantism. John Calvin was a French Lawyer who joined the Reformation during his enrollment as a law student at the University of Orleans. He was an important spiritual and political leader when he lived in Geneva. During his time there, he changed the government laws and structure to a more principally based one. He was given absolute power as a leader over Geneva in 1555. As the leader over Geneva, he made it illegal to lead a life of “impiety”. Impiety was punishable by death. He executed 58 people and banished 76 people who held different religious beliefs in the first five years of his rule. Furthermore, he allowed no art except for music, however that in itself could not have any instruments. Geneva became the focus of Protestantism and sent out pastors to other countries to build denominations. (https://www.biography.com/people/john-calvin-9235788).
Many denominations came from the Reformation. Lutheranism, created by Martin Luther, dominated Northern Europe. The Anglican Church was created so the King had full authority over it. Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church because the Pope refused him an annulment of marriage. The last main denomination was Presbyterianism, which was established by John Knox, who was greatly influenced by Calvin (https://www.britannica.com/event/Reformation).
To sum up this major event in history, “The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th century European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Its religious aspects were supplemented by ambitious political rulers who wanted to extend their power and control at the expense of the Church” (http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1136.html). The Reformation had many lasting effects but one undeniable effect that it had on later generations was the divided thinking and ideas between believers.