West European Studies

The 16th century Europe was a period characterized by unprecedented changes that saw the onset of a new era characterized with revolutions in almost all aspects of life. This period coincided with the peak of Renaissance in Italy that was spreading to other parts of Europe. Generally, life was prospering to everyone including the average individual that was a reflection of the positively growing economy. There was a shift in the economy that saw a leaning towards the capitalistic society. With renaissance, geniuses were scattered everywhere engaged in scientific revolutions and innovations. Revolutions in technology radically changed the much conservative society. More important during this period was the media revolution that affected religion much by providing translation of the holy book to may vernacular languages. The church that had enjoyed relative calm started to experience turbulent moments as there was desire to go back to the defining principles of the church. This was the beginning of the Reformation era that saw the reorganization of the church initiated from within. This paper will explore the events that surrounded the age of reformation in church as presented in Western Europe of the 16th century.

Reformation
Reformation was a term that was used to refer at the activities that were witnessed in Western part of Europe in 16th century aimed at the overhaul of the church principles causing a major crack in the church. Religion is not a simple matter per se and it forms the basis of the society as opposed to individual and personalized preferences or opinions. Reformation was one of the unforgettable moments in the history of Europe. This period saw incredible upheavals with amazing developments in art, philosophy, economics, and religion. Those in the call for reformation of the church were ready for the challenge the tradition associated with the supremacy of the Pope. There were also the local nobles challenging those in authority including kings and emperors, and in turn challenging each other over land ownership and power. This period saw overseas expansion of European powers and the emergency of a new financial system that came to be known as capitalism. There were new military technologies that changed the wars and also new styles in art, architecture, and music evolved. New ideas came into being about nature and there was a review in the general position of man and woman in the society.

The Pre-reform period
The Renaissance era that had preceded the reformation had led to development of learning and the printing press. This period also had impacted on the church as well. At the dawn of the 16th century, Christian humanists applied the discovered scholarship styles in studying the holy book with the aim of going back to the fundamental principles of the religion. In an effort to spread the understanding of the religion to the masses, translation of the Bible into the local vernacular became necessary. Renaissance advocated for the Perfectibility of man and this saw individuals being not satisfied with the way the world was and they therefore looked for ways to improve and perfect the world as it was. During this time, the church held vast wealth, it exercised colossal political authority. The administration composed of individuals with patronage positions obsessed with corrupt activities as opposed to promotion of the flocks welfare. The humanists leveled a spirited criticism to all these failures by the church as they strived for a much purer church.

Causes of the Reformation
The causes leading to the Reformation in the church can be traced way back in the 11th century prior to the activities of the 16th century. These early opposition to the Roman church were often met and crushed by inquisition. There were also certain groups that were outside the Roman Catholic Church including the Albigenses and the Waldenses who opposed the Church and they were massacred as martyrs. The activities of individuals like John Wycliffe (1320-1384), John Hass (1360-1415), and Gerolamo Savanarola (1452-1498) led to their brutal death as Hass and Savanarola were burned at the stake as heretics (Arnold, 1999). These individuals stood firm to speak against the Church including the papacy, auricular confessions, and worship of saints among other practices.

Corruption was rife within the church and there was a general decline in monasticism and scholastic theology. The events that followed the rebirth also known as renaissance were also a factor in contributing to the reformation age. Though it was not religious, renaissance encouraged individuals to use their minds. It brought humanism and there was a general revolution in other aspects of life including the economy and the politics of Europe. The reformation has been at times referred to as a revolution considering that political and economical aspects were not left out. This however can be attributed to the fact that the church had taken roots in all these aspects of the society and therefore there was need for reformation to encompass all these aspects in order for it to have a considerable impact.

Reformation Proper
The period of the actual reformation begun in Germany on 31st October of 1517 when Martin Luther posted the famous 95 theses that invited a debate over the legitimacy regarding the sale of indulgences. Luther was a well educated German monk, stubborn and passionate. He did not succumb to pressure that required him to recant his beliefs even at a time when he was faced with a death sentence or excommunication from the church. This made people realize how strong Luthers faith was. During this time the Pope Leo X got wind of what was going on and sent for Luther but Luther turned down a request to hold a meeting with the Pope in Rome. The Pope had to send an envoy to meet Luther instead showing how Luthers ideas had shaken the church foundation. Luther published three famous treatises in 1520 that included An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Concerning the Reform of the Christian Estate, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and On the Freedom of a Christian earning him a lot of support across Germany.
Luther was excommunicated from the church in the year 1521 but still refused to recant before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V and the German Prince and demanded to be proven guilty by Bible andor given a convincing reason. According to him, individuals were only answerable directly to God and could earn forgiveness through Gods grace and faith in Jesus Christ. Luther got protection from the German princes and particularly Frederick III who supported the reformers. The signing of the Augsburg Confession in 1530 favored the growth of the Lutheranism as a reformed church. Lutheranism spread very fast as a popular movement to other parts of Europe including Poland, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, and Finland among other parts of Europe.

In Switzerland, Ulrich Zwingli led the course of Reformation having been influenced by the activities of Erasmus and the Christian Humanists. He came up with sixty-seven articles in 1523 which led to a public dispute with the representative of the Pope. He wanted to see the Mass abolished and be replaced by the symbolic Lords Supper among other changes. His influence spread to various parts of Swiss cantons including Basel, Saint Gall, and Bern. In France, the Reformation was spearheaded by John Calvin. He reorganized the church by introducing pastors, doctors, and deacons among other new ranks. He had great influence in France, Scotland, and amongst the Puritans in England through his institutes of Christian Religion. In England, Reformation was sparked by the desire of King Henry VIII to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon. The archbishop of Canterbury allowed for the divorce and allowed the King to remarry. This was followed by the translation of the Bible into English. The Book of Common Prayer was adopted during the reign of Edward IV (1547-1553) who had succeeded King Henry VIII. The reign of Mary I (1553- 1558) saw the gains of Protestantism diminish only to be recovered during the reign of Elizabeth I which saw the Anglican Church being established.

Conclusion
It is imperative to observe that Reformation caused a sharp division in the church in Europe. The division led to the development of Protestant church having broken away from the Catholics. National churches also emerged strengthening the development of modern national states. The Catholic Church also witnessed some changes as result of the Reformation. Such changes included the foundation of the Jesuits in 1540 and the Council of Trent in the years 1545-1563. In general, Reformation is a period that witnessed a complete overhaul of the church following the years of utter frustrations that was sparked by the various events that were taking place in Europe at the time.