The Counter Reformation and an Evaluation of the Era

2002-10-19

I. The Counter Reformation

1560, Protestantism was beginning to controlling all of Europe north of the Alps. Protestantism slowed down because of this movement the /Counter Reformation, or the Catholic Reformation.

A. Internal reform of the RCC

Long overdue. Organizations created. Oratory of the Divine Love. Informal organization of 60 churchmen plus laymen. Deepening the spiritual work of the church and charity. New religious orders with nuns and monks.

Reform-minded popes. Zealously promoted reforms. Paul III, Council of Trent, 1545.

Weapons against Protestantism, the loyalty of the Spanish rulers. Moors had earlier controlled them, Islamic, but were pushed out completely by 1492. Jews also expelled by this year. They became very zealous. Ferdinand and Isabella, for example. The Spanish Inquisition took hold there. Charles V of HRE, Philip II.

Society of Jesus, founded by Ignatius Loyola, had originally been Spanish playboy and soldier. Religious experience where he entered the church. Formed this order, aka Jesuits. Over 1000 monks. Wrote a book called Spiritual Exercises, how to be obedient to the church and the pope. A form of brainwashing. Force doubt out of your mind. They were involved in education, and combating heresy, and foreign missions. Jesuits had been controversial, even within the Catholic Church. Their ethical relativism, they compromised ethics to serve their purposes. They became involved within politics behind the scene in many countries.

The Inquisition, against the Albigienses, etc in earlier times. They said the Inquisition was in effect everywhere. The people were excuses of heresy, but never knew who accused them. They were tortured to get confessions. Burning at the sake, they could repent at the last minute if the body is destroyed. The Inquisition was even brought against Indians in the New World.

The Index (The Index of Forbidden Books), 1559. The printing press had enabled the Protestants to spread their ideas. A list of books that the faithful were not allowed to read. Included all of Luther, Erasmus, Protestant Bibles. Curiosity arose, however. Continued until 1966.

The Council of Trent, 1545-63. Pope Paul III. Doctrinal decisions. OT Apocryphal books included in bible, 1546. Declared that church tradition is equal to the bible in its authority. Declared that people can be justified by faith and works. Reaffirmed all 7 sacraments. Reaffirmed transubstantiation.

Reconciliation with Protestantism is now impossible with these things.

II. The Thirty Years’ War (1618-48)

Climax of a series of religious wars. HRE particularly in a state of unrest. Religious wars began in Bohemia. Reps of the Holy Roman Empire, Defenestration, throwing these people out window started the war.

Bloody war, Germany lost 1/3 of its inhabitants. Deep questions. Can any theologian claim that their views are right and the others are wrong if these events are happening. The war secularized a lot of people’s thinking. They all must be wrong if this happened.

III. The Reformation in Retrospect

A. Changes in the concept of the church

The Catholic Church was replaced by a number of national churches. The RCC had to compete with these. Church and state united in most cases. One group was against this, only the Anabaptists.

B. Doctrinal Changes

Many they agree on RCC and Protestant: Deity of Christ, Scripture, sinfulness of man, etc. Vital biblical doctrines set them apart, three areas.

Sole authority of Scripture. Salvation by faith alone. Priesthood of all believers. No need for a hierarchy or priesthood.

Different denominations have different emphases.

Protestant confessions and creeds, and theological systems. Foundation of modern denominations.

C. Changes in other areas

Education. A person, if they are going to understand the scriptures themselves, education is needed.

Government. Indirect. Political ideals, equality of believers came over to political equality. Democracy?

Economics. Capitalism. Stimulated by the lifestyle of many Protestants. They emphasized hard work, staying away from costly abusements. Then they could gain more money, thrift and honesty in business.

Far reaching implications.

Reform movements. Major leaders, one question. Importation of Christianity into America, one question. One theme we will see in American Church history (tonight and tomorrow) that will be traced through. Theological ideas of late times 19th/20th Century. Identification. People and terms, organizations and movements. Focus not on personal lives, or education, but on contributions and distinctives of the reformers/people studied.