The Protestant Reformation Essay, Research Paper

During the late 1400 & # 8217 ; s, England became a state plagued by alterations, both good and bad. Knights, who were one time outstanding in England faded off and became less popular. Soon after that, the Renaissance swept into and changed England dramatically. The Renaissance, which started in France and many other western European states, was a clip of thriving for literature, art, scientific discipline and acquisition. At the same clip the Renaissance was happening, a spiritual revolution was get downing, which was known as the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation helped to act upon and beef up the Renaissance that was merely originating in England. Many people became instrumental in conveying about the Protestant Reformation like John Calvin and most significantly Martin Luther.

Martin Luther and John Calvin were two of the work forces who wanted alterations in the Roman Church. Martin Luther, who was a professor of divinity at the University of Wittenberg had protested against the Roman Catholic Church priciples. As stated in the encyclopaedia, & # 8220 ; on October 31, 1517, he posted on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg, his 95 theses, ask foring argument on affairs of pattern and philosophy ( Reformation, pg. 1 ) . & # 8221 ; These 95 theses caused argument on affairs of pattern and philosophy. These actions were non considered a rebellion against the church because Luther wanted the church to merely reform. John Calvin, whom many considered to be the greatest theologist of Protestantism, besides helped in the Reformation. He wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion, which was published at Basal in 1536 ( Reformation, Shoup 2

pg. 3 ) . Calvin and Luther disagreed on merely one rule, the Doctrine of Predestination, which means that God choose those to be saved. The impact that Both these work forces had helped to get down the reformation of the church that furthered the continuation of the Renaissa

nce.

As the Reformation continued in England, a struggle formed between the Roman Catholic Church and King Henry VIII. King Henry VIII was married to a Roman Catholic named Catherine of Aragon. She was the widow of King Henry VIII & # 8217 ; s brother, hence doing their matrimony illegal under church jurisprudence, but the Pope used particular & # 8220 ; apostolic dispensation & # 8221 ; , which means the Pope allowed the matrimony to go on ( Reformation, pg. 1 ) . Since Catherine could non bring forth any male progeny, King Henry VIII claimed the & # 8220 ; apostolic dispensation & # 8221 ; went against ecclesiastical jurisprudence and that the matrimony was hence invalid ( Reformation, pg. 1 ) . However, the Pope said the matrimony was legal and did non invalidate it. At the same clip this was go oning, the King fell in love with a adult female named Ann Boleyn and finally married her. King Henry VIII so had the Archbishop of Canterbury denote his divorce from Catherine ; therefore coercing the Catholic Pope to kick him out of the church In 1534, King Henry VIII created the Church of England from the Act of Supremacy ( Act & # 8230 ; , pg. 1 ) . This established a separate church from the Catholics. The Church of England continued under the reign of King Edward VI, revoking any Torahs the Roman Catholic Church had passed against the Church of England. Mary I tried to reconstruct Roman Catholicism, but the people protested. Finally, under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Protestantism was restored, maintaining the Church of England the chief faith.

Overall, the Protestant Reformation contributed greatly to the continuation of, and defining of the Renaissance. The Renaissance gave a opportunity for people in England to reform the

faith, chiefly because many other things in England were altering besides. Along with theShoup 3

people desiring alteration many great theologists like Calvin and Luther wanted alteration excessively, and

when the church refused to alter, the Protestant Reformation began.