REFORMATION

Reformation

Basically, reformation is a movement to reform the Christian religion in Europe. It took place between 1510-1550 (40 years).  In that time, men began to question the practice and administration of the Catholic Church. This led up a breakup of the church into 20 groups – Roman Catholics and Protestants. The protestants came up with their own teachings and practices.

            There were 3 groups of people who were against the Catholic Church. First, the ordinary people. They were dissatisfied  with the administration of the church and who saw the bishops and abbots as part of a wealthy oppressive(压迫) ruling class. Second, the educated people middle class in various European cities who felt that the church hierarchy was feudal and that they could manage the affairs of their cities. The church was powerful and they even involved into the politics of the state. The decision of a state must have the permission from the church. Third, King and princes who had long disputed the powers of the church on matters of property, taxes, legal jurisdiction(法律管辖权) and political influence. The rulers wanted to be masters of their own land and be free from any interference from the church.

 Martin Luther

After the long disputation was occurred, a man of emerged in Germany- Martin Luther. He is the starter of the reformation movement, a priest and professor from Wittenberg University, Germany. He asked Christian to follow the teachings of Christ as found in the Bible and not follow blindly the instructions of the Church.  He insisted that their church be administrated by the presbyters (eldest brother). The church came to be known as the Presbyterian Church. His ideas spread to Hungary, Poland, Bohemia and Scotland.

John Calvin

John Calvin was a Frenchmen, a trained priest & lawyer. He fled to Switzerland to practice his teachings. Calvin like Luther insisted that true Christians should follow the bible. He urged his followers to work hard & earn their living through honest ways. o Calvin rejected the institution of the bishops/ priests as practiced by the Catholics, Lutherans/ Anglicans. He insisted that their church be administered by presbyters (elders). Their church came to be known as the Presbyterian church. His ideas spread to Hungary, Poland & Bohemia & Scotland.

Reformation in England.

            In England, the king took advantage of the Reformation movement to free his country from control of the Roman Catholic Church. King Henry VIII wanted to divorced his wife Catherime (as he had no male heir). When the pope refused permission, he called the Parliament to pass the ‘Act of Supremacy’ (自尊法案)which declared him as head of the church of England. All his subjects were asked to acknowledge the King as head of Church and not the pope. Henry closed all the monasteries in England and seized all land belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. His church came to be known as the Church of England or Anglican Church. By 1560, the protestants movement had been affirmed. The unity of the Roman Catholic Church had been broken. Although the protestants differed in many ways but they also had many things in common. All rejected Papal authority. The reformation movement had a profound effect on the European society. Religiously Europe was divided into 2 blocs- Catholics and Protestants. Italy, France, Spain & Portugal remain staunchly catholic state. Protestant churches replaced Latin with the Vernacular languages. All declared the one true source of the Christian belief was the bible.