THE ORIGIN OF DENOMINATIONS
Lesson Seven
I. THE REFORMATION:
The reformation movement began from within the Roman Catholic
Church. It began in Europe during the 16th century. The Roman
Catholic Church had complete dominion over the religious lives
of the people. Its domination also involved the control over
political affairs. Carnal warfare ("The Crusades") was often
used to increase its powers and control. "Crusades, the name
given to the series of campaigns undertaken by the Christians of
western Europe from 1096 to 1291 for the recovery of the Holy
Land....some against heretics or opponents of the papacy within
Europe itself." (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1957, Vol. 6, page
770.) Only the church had access to the Bible, thus the people
were in complete ignorance of the Scriptures.
Huge amounts of money were brought into the Church through
confessionals and the growing practice of selling indulgences.
Pope Leo X gave John Tetzel the right to collect indulgences in
Germany, which he did with exceeding zeal. Also, large sums of
money was collected for the construction of the cathedral of
Saint Peter in Rome, with various graces being promised for
large contributions.
It became truly the "Dark Ages." "While the Papacy tightened
its grip upon the Catholic Church, and set itself against all
reforms of any kind, there arose some dissenting voices, who
protested against the immorality among the clergy and spoke
strongly against Papal interference in political affairs."
(Church History, Frank Pack, page 23.)
The Reformation had its "official" beginning when Martin
Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door at Wittenburg,
Germany on October 31, 1517. These were an open attack on the
authority of the church and various doctrines including the
selling of indulgences, the authority of the Pope, and the
doctrine of transubstantiation. But, there had been a number of
objections raised before Luther which served as a way of
preparation for the Reformation; ultimately leading to what we
now know as denominationalism.
II. Some Earlier Reformers.
A. John Wycliffe (1324-1384), English reformer. He has been
called, "The Morning Star of the Reformation." A graduate of
Oxford University, he objected to the supremacy of the Pope,
the doctrine of transubstantiation, and the abuses of the
hierarchy. He contended for the Scriptures as the supreme
authority. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was the
translation of the Bible from the Latin into the English
language, where the people could read and understand it. He
was condemned as a heretic. Forty-five years after his death,
the Church had his body dug up and burned, with the ashes
strewn over the Avon River.
B. John Huss (1367-1415), Czech reformer. A Priest in the Roman
Catholic Church, became a disciple of Wycliffe. He took a
stand that the Scriptures were to be followed over
traditions. He spoke out against the tyranny of the clergy,
denying the infallibility and authority of the Pope. He
denounced the selling of indulgences. The archbishop of
Prague excommunicated him in 1410. He was summoned to the
council of Constance (1414), promised safe conduct. The
council tried him, condemned him as a heretic and burned him
to death in July, 1415.
C. Jerome Savonarola (1452-1498), reformer from Florence, Italy.
He denied the authority of the pope and attacked the
immorality of the clergy. "When the pope found that he could
not bribe the powerful preacher with the offer of a
cardinal's hat, nor reduce him to silence by repeated
admonitions, he excommunicated him. Savonarola pronounced
this excommunication void, as contradictory to the wise and
just law of God." (History of the Christian church, Fisher,
page 276.) He was finally arrested, tortured, tried,
condemned, and on May 23, 1498, burned to death in the square
at Florence in front of the church where he had preached so
long.
III. OTHER FACTORS AT WORK.
The early efforts at reform, being premature, were easily
repressed. The Church had a vice grip on controlling the
circumstances. However, there were certain forces in action
during this period which served to prepare the way for the
Protestant Revolution. Let us suggest a few.
A. There arose a new interest in art, science, literature, and
learning, known as the Renaissance Age. The people, who had
been stifled with ignorance and superstitutions, now were
awakening to new learning and intellectual awareness. As
information increased, there arose a growing dissatisfaction
with the existing religious condition.
B. The printing press was invented by Gutenberg in 1455. Now
books could be printed rather rapidly. "Before this
invention, from the beginning of time, books had been
circulated only as rapidly as they could be copied out by
hand. A Bible in the Middle Ages cost the wages of a working
man for a year. It is significant as showing the desire of
that time, that the first book printed by Gutenberg was the
Bible. The press brought the Scriptures into common use, and
led to their translation and circulation in languages of
Europe. The people who read the New Testament soon realized
that the papal church was far from the New Testament ideal."
(Story of the Christian Church, Hurlburt. page 151.) As
God's Word became available to the masses, the darkness of
ignorance began to disappear.
C. Also, during this period there arose a growing spirit of
nationalism. Men began to think for themselves and began to
desire a greater freedom in religion. There was a growing
dislike to be ruled by the pope who lived in another land.
This dislike was enhanced by the growing pressure to contri-
bute to the building of magnificent church buildings in Rome.
Return to Index
Home