Events leading to the Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation could never have happened if not for three key factors that paved its way. These three events were the main set-ups for the Reformation, and if any one of them had not occurred, there’s a good chance that the Reformation would never have occurred either.

The first event was the Renaissance; an important key to setting up the Reformation. “The term ‘Renaissance’ literally means ‘rebirth’ and is the period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages, conventionally held to have been characterized by a surge of interest in classical learning and values. The Renaissance also witnessed the discovery and exploration of new continents, the substitution of the Copernican for the Ptolemaic system of astronomy, the decline of the feudal system and the growth of commerce, and the invention or application of such potentially powerful innovations as paper, printing, the mariner's compass, and gunpowder. To the scholars and thinkers of the day, however, it was primarily a time of the revival of classical learning and wisdom after a long period of cultural decline and stagnation.” (source) “The Renaissance was the time in history when people began thinking, reading, and reasoning for themselves-apart from the Roman Catholic Church.” (Jim 62)

Another important factor leading to the Reformation was the decline of the papacy. “After the reign of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216,) the papacy lost much of its power and prestige, and starting at the beginning of the fourteenth century, it took a nose dive. …The papacy was weighted down with corruption, immorality, materialism, and secularism, so much so that at the close of the fifteenth century, it appeared there was little chance for reformation from within.” (Jim 59) The lower church leaders also became corrupted. The church was not the same, and many European believers thought that the church and Europe both were under God’s judgment. (source, Jim 59)

Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, Johann Gutenberg, and Girolamo Savonarola all paved the way for Martin Luther’s teachings in the 1500s. Peter Waldo’s followers were excommunicated, persecuted, and burned as heretics. John Wycliffe attempted to translate the Bible into English, creating the Wycliffe Bible. Jan Hus was burned at the stake, the fire being fueled by his own books. Johann Gutenberg developed movable type, so the Reformer’s teachings could be spread. It is estimated that he printed about 180 copies of the Bible. Girolamo Savonarola sent kids to collect all the worldly items that were distracting people from living in a godly manner. The pile of junk was 15 stories high! (source)

The final event that began the Protestant Reformation occurred on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the Wittenberg church door. He protested Johann Tetzil’s selling of indulgences, and accused the church of heresy after heresy. However, the Roman Catholic Church was stubborn and condemned him as a heretic. This caused a huge outrage in Europe, and thus started the Protestant Reformation. (source, source, Jackson 69, 74)

Works Cited

Jackson, Dave & Neta. Hero Tales. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House Publishers. 1996.

Jim Bell, James. Complete Idiot's Guide to the Reformation & Protestantism, The. Indianapolis, Indiana: Alpha Books. 2002.