Emergence of the Modern West

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nEmergence of the Modern West

nThe Protestants grew from Luthers ideas, which advocated for reforms in the Catholic Church in the early sixteenth century. In the fifteenth century, the Catholic Church was faced with several challenges in all levels of hierarchy. At the lowest hierarchy, priest were illiterate and they could not understand the Latin during mass (Sunshine, 2). The Catholic leadership opposed the idea that priest should be educated. Instead, they used the doctrine of ex opera operato, which suggest that the ritual performed during mass does not depend on education rather than the priest. Therefore, lack of education meant that catholic doctrines were not communicated well to the congregation (Sunshine, 3). Clerical ignorance and sexuality among the priest was a problem in the Catholic Church that influenced Protestants reformations. Additionally, there were problems of corruption among the bishops, parish priests and popes (Sunshine, 5). Most reformers were concerned about high levels of spiritual malaise, nepotism and superiority complex; hence, they developed strategies to correct the problems.

nThe Protestants reformers differed about the issue of Lords Supper. This is because the Karlstadt introduced several radical and controversial innovations to the celebrations of the Lords Supper (Sunshine, 8). In addition, another senior member of the protestant church in Wittenberg called Zwilling incited people to destroy statues and stained glass windows in the church. He believed that these structures were promoting idolatry worship (Sunshine, 9). The differences were important because they help to sort out difference in the early protestant church.

nThe Protestants ideas spread fast despite difference and arguments among reformers. This is because many people accepted Lutheranism and they wanted to eliminate theological and political arrogance of the bishops and clergy as well of the pope (Scribner, 6). Moreover, they accepted the use of scriptures to answer religious questions rather than sacramental theology.

n The council of Trent was an ecumenical council of the Catholic Church that was held in Trento, Italy between 1545 and 1563. Pope Paul III called the meeting. It played a key role in determining the outcome of Counter-Reformation (Scribner, 11). However, most of popes did not want change since they feared that they would lose power. The pope did not take part in the meeting but he was represented to ensure that his views were put forward. The council of trends accomplished much despite internal strife and external dangers. For instance, it helped to revitalize the Roman Catholic Church in some parts of Europe (Scribner, 15). The council laid the foundation for future declarations. In addition, the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed was adopted as the basis of catholic faith.

nCounter-reformation is more accurate as compared to catholic reformation. Counter-reformation refers to the period beginning with the Council of Trent. The church initiated some reforms in response to the Protestant Reformation (Scribner, 16). The period of renaissance influenced people to challenge the malpractices in the church.

nThe German peasant war was a massive and popular revolt in Europe before the French revolution. The Bundshuh movement in Germany arose in 1517 to oppose the aristocratic rule (Engels, 3). Many properties were destroyed including castles and the entire country was affected negatively during the entire period. At the height of the uprisings in 1525, aristocracy responded by killing more than 100 000 out of the 300 000 peasants and farmers who had inferior weapons (Engels, 3). Protestant clergy supported the peasants and farmers.

nThe uprisings started in southeastern parts of the country and neighboring Alsace and spread very fast in eastern and central areas because of moral support from the reformers. Many of the peasants had no experience with inferior weapons (Engels, 13). Contrary, the military had superior weapons, disciplined army and adequate funds. The Protestant reformation led by Martin Luther and Muntzer influenced the peasants to demand more freedom. The two leaders criticized the injustices in the society and advocated for urbanization and centralization of the economy. In addition, he criticized the rulers for merciless oppression (Engels, 11). The peasant war also spread due to the emerging urban class. The German revolutionary tradition fueled the war.

nLuther had given the plebeian movement a powerful weapon – translation of the bible. Through the bible, he contrasted medieval Christianity of his time with moderate Christianity. He was opposed to decaying moral in the primitive society (Engels, 13). He advocated for a new society that promoted social and economic equity. The peasants applied this weapon against the oppressive forces of the nobility, princes and the clergy (Bak, 23). Luther used the biblical teachings to show the authorities that God was against their rule.

nThe peasants grievances were included in the “Twelve Articles.” These were the demands of the swabian league at the period of German peasant war (Bak, 23). The representatives of the Swabian Peasant met and developed a common stance against the authorities hence the document of Twelve Articles helps us to understand the German peasant war. The peasant war in Germany helped to promote the Lutheran reformation (Bak, 29). Luther acknowledged the Twelve Article, which contained the demands of the peasants. It also helped to spread the evangelism in Western Europe due to oppression suffered by the peasants in rural areas (Bak, 33). The Protestants could claim the support of large number of peasants especially in Germany.

nWork cited

nBak, Janos. The German Peasant War Of 1525: “Twelve Articles of the German Peasants”. 1st ed. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2013. Print.

nEngels, Friedrich. The Peasant War In Germany. 1st ed. New York: International Publishers, 2000. Print.

nScribner, Robert W. “Religion, Society and Culture: Reorienting the Reformation.” History Workshop 14 (1982):2-22.

nSunshine, Glenn S. The Reformation For Armchair Theologians. 1st ed. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005. Print.