Protestant Reformation and Counter-Reformation Christianity

martin luther started protestant reformation in 1517 ninety-five theses, going against catholic interpretation of bible.

15th-century renaissance brought renewed interest in ancient , classical learning. major schism, reformation, resulted in splintering of western christendom several branches. martin luther in 1517 protested against sale of indulgences , moved on deny several key points of roman catholic doctrine.

other reformers zwingli, oecolampadius, calvin, knox , arminius further criticized roman catholic teaching , worship. these challenges developed movement called protestantism, repudiated primacy of pope, role of tradition, 7 sacraments , other doctrines , practices. reformation in england began in 1534, when king henry viii had himself declared head of church of england. beginning in 1536, monasteries throughout england, wales , ireland dissolved.

thomas müntzer, andreas karlstadt , other theologians perceived both roman catholic church , confessions of magisterial reformation corrupted. activity brought radical reformation, gave birth various anabaptist denominations.

michelangelo s pietà in st. peter s basilica, catholic church among patronages of renaissance.

partly in response protestant reformation, roman catholic church engaged in substantial process of reform , renewal, known counter-reformation or catholic reform. council of trent clarified , reasserted roman catholic doctrine. during following centuries, competition between roman catholicism , protestantism became entangled political struggles among european states.

meanwhile, discovery of america christopher columbus in 1492 brought new wave of missionary activity. partly missionary zeal, under impetus of colonial expansion european powers, christianity spread americas, oceania, east asia , sub-saharan africa.

throughout europe, divides caused reformation led outbreaks of religious violence , establishment of separate state churches in europe. lutheranism spread northern, central , eastern parts of present-day germany, livonia , scandinavia. anglicanism established in england in 1534. calvinism , varieties (such presbyterianism) introduced in scotland, netherlands, hungary, switzerland , france. arminianism gained followers in netherlands , frisia. ultimately, these differences led outbreak of conflicts in religion played key factor. thirty years war, english civil war , french wars of religion prominent examples. these events intensified christian debate on persecution , toleration.