October 31st (or the Sunday after) is recognized by many protestant churches
around the world as Reformation Day.
Reformation day is a time for Protestants around the world to remember Martin
Luther’s 95 theses that he nailed to the door of a church. These were issues he
had with the Papacy and it became a catalyst for the schism in the Catholic Church
that started the Protestant Reformation.
The
problems that Martín Luther, an Augustinian Monk, had against the Catholic
Church were written in 1517 in the form of 95 statements, or theses. At the core of Luther’s unrest was the
selling of indulgences – such as those sold by John Tetzel, a Dominican priest
for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica (and the eradication of suspicious
debt). This selling of indulgences
unearthed more profound difficulties with nature and grace, salvation, and sin,
manifest in statements on purgatory and reconciliation.
The reformation became
popular because of these same problems bred certain animosity against the
Catholic Church, especially in the “lower classes” throughout Europe. These events and subsequent, developed beliefs
helped to create the reformation that thrives to the present day.
Francis J. Beckwith, a Catholic professor who converted to Catholicism in 2007, makes the point that in our society the differences in our faith cause Christians to believe “schism as proper and unity as unnatural.”[i] This belief pulls the church further apart, which is clearly against the design of Christ, who prayed for its unity before his death. (John 17) The division of the Church was not likely even Luther’s intent.
Francis J. Beckwith, a Catholic professor who converted to Catholicism in 2007, makes the point that in our society the differences in our faith cause Christians to believe “schism as proper and unity as unnatural.”[i] This belief pulls the church further apart, which is clearly against the design of Christ, who prayed for its unity before his death. (John 17) The division of the Church was not likely even Luther’s intent.
Martin Luther crafted his argument against the Church teachings, not against the Church herself, initially. It may have been to
create discussion and spark action on the part of Rome, not to create a void
between people that would last more than 500 years. After his
proclamation, the protestant reformation became something bigger than who he
was, probably more than what he wanted at the time. Unfortunately, he was a
troubled man, and went on to join the full scale reformation, and became an
advocate for the schism.
Acknowledging this time in history is important not only for our Protestant brothers and sisters, but for Catholics as well. By acknowledging the reformation, we can recognize the growing pains our Church has gone through. The reformation, in effect, did “force the hands” of the Church to recognize and reform certain practices as well as clarify certain teachings. The Council of Trent, the first of modern ecumenical councils, was the first to provide a response and change. The selling of indulgences became forbidden. Doctrine that was addressed included: purgatory, the veneration of the saints, liturgical abuses, and indulgences.
Acknowledging this time in history is important not only for our Protestant brothers and sisters, but for Catholics as well. By acknowledging the reformation, we can recognize the growing pains our Church has gone through. The reformation, in effect, did “force the hands” of the Church to recognize and reform certain practices as well as clarify certain teachings. The Council of Trent, the first of modern ecumenical councils, was the first to provide a response and change. The selling of indulgences became forbidden. Doctrine that was addressed included: purgatory, the veneration of the saints, liturgical abuses, and indulgences.
Today, Catholics need to respond to the same questions with
fervent strength. Reformation day is a
chance for Protestants to recognize where their differences were stated. As Christians, we have a chance to answer the
questions about those differences, while honoring their belief in Christ. More importantly, as the year of faith closes
and we come to fully live in the New Evangelization, we have a chance to learn
more about the history of our faith. Blessed
Pope John Paul II calls us to find hope in Ecumenical Unity through the Christ
that we share our faith in.[ii] We can use that experience to express our
faith and rather than grow a part in our differences unite with our Christian
brothers and sisters.
Andrew Jones
is a graduate of California State University at Fullerton.
He currently resides in Phoenix, AZ, where he is pursuing a career in teaching.
..........
If you are interested in learning more about the reformation, I suggest:
If you are interested in learning more about the reformation, I suggest:
The Catholic Reformation
by Michael Mullett is a good resource.
Luther in Light of Recent Reformation by Heinrich
Boehmer.
No comments:
Post a Comment