essay / 2 pages

Christian Traditions: European [Protestant] Reformation

Why did the proliferation and diversification of the Christian traditions occur at such an unprecedented manner during the European Reformation (a.k.a. Protestant Reformation)?

If you could answer this question and then demonstrate your answer by drawing from moments, movements, people and concepts that led to the European Reformation, then there you would have an excellent 4–6 paragraph essay ( 2 pages)

Write an essay that answers and explains why the European Reformation occurred in the 16th century?

Other questions that may be addressed include:

· What are the main characteristics of the European Reformation?

· What movements and/or traditions emerged during the European Reformation?

· Who were key leaders in the Protestant movements?

· What were some of the similarities and differences between the Protestant traditions?

Here are some key people, issues and movements that may be included when crafting an essay that seeks to provide an explanation as to what the European Reformation is and why it occurred in the 16th century:

1. Christian Humanism and the return to the sources (original languages: Latin and Greek)

2. Protest in Print (see the Printing Press, in 1450)

3. Rise of Proto-nation States against the Holy Roman Empire

4. Martin Luther and his theological writings

5. Penitential Cycle in Late Medieval Catholicism

6. Indulgence Controversy

7. The Margburg Colloquy (1529) and the Eucharist (a.k.a., the Lord’s Supper; Communion)

8. Huldrych Zwingli

9. Jean Calvin and the Protestant Reformation in Geneva

10. Calvin’s Institutes of the Chrisitan Religion

11. The Michael Servetus Affair