Luther And The Papacy Essay
During the Reformation, Protestants were known for opposing the Church’s ideas that the papacy was somehow special. In the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church, the Papacy was above the common people, and that the Pope’s work was more important to God. Protestants like Martin Luther and John Calvin denounced this claim, and supported in all work is sacred. This doctrine meant that God saw everyone as spiritual equals. Another belief that the two had in common was priesthood of all believers, which means that anyone can read the Bible or become a minister. Also, according to Protestants, everyone was a priest after being ordained by Christ in baptism (lutherandcalvin). According to the Catholic Church, the only correct interpretation of the Bible
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was the Pope’s, and that anyone who thought differently was wrong (lutherandcalvin). Another belief of the Catholic Church was anything that the Pope said was true. Luther, Calvin and Zwingli disagreed with that, saying that giving the Pope that much religious control was an issue. They dealt with this issue by supporting the idea of sola scriptura, or that everything had to be backed up with scriptural evidence.
Next, there were a lot of Catholic beliefs that Protestants didn’t agree with because it wasn’t stated in the Bible.
Both Calvin and Zwingli were known for denouncing Catholic ritual. Zwingli said that the role of the Pope was completely unnecessary because it was never mentioned in the Bible. Calvin denounced the praying to idols and of the rosary. He also said it was wrong for people to go on pilgrimages, host feasts, and attend mass (lutherandcalvin). The Catholic Church were supporters of all of the rituals previously stated, but because Calvin disagreed with them, he dealt with the papacy by supporting contrasting beliefs. Another one of the papacy’s doctrines that Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli disagreed with was the selling of indulgences. Luther hated indulgences so much that he published the Ninety-five Theses, questions prompting debate about works and indulgences. The papacy’s support of indulgences aligns with the idea that works were the only way a person could achieve salvation, which Luther called foolish. Instead, Luther promoted sola fide, or faith alone saves, which meant that as long as you believed in Christ’s message, you would go to heaven (lutherandcalvin). Calvin was another Protestant to strongly disagree with indulgences, but for other reasons than Luther’s. According to Calvin, divine predestination was the only way someone could make it to salvation, which means that God has already chosen who will be saved and who will be lost. He goes on to say
that God is infinitely good, while man is infinitely sinful. In Calvin’s eyes, no amount of works and indulgences can bridge the gap between these two (lutherandcalvin).
In conclusion, it’s very clear that neither Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli agreed to follow the papacy and it’s wrong doings. So, they dealt with these issues by combating them with their own beliefs, explanations, and arguments.
was the Pope’s, and that anyone who thought differently was wrong (lutherandcalvin). Another belief of the Catholic Church was anything that the Pope said was true. Luther, Calvin and Zwingli disagreed with that, saying that giving the Pope that much religious control was an issue. They dealt with this issue by supporting the idea of sola scriptura, or that everything had to be backed up with scriptural evidence.
Next, there were a lot of Catholic beliefs that Protestants didn’t agree with because it wasn’t stated in the Bible.
Both Calvin and Zwingli were known for denouncing Catholic ritual. Zwingli said that the role of the Pope was completely unnecessary because it was never mentioned in the Bible. Calvin denounced the praying to idols and of the rosary. He also said it was wrong for people to go on pilgrimages, host feasts, and attend mass (lutherandcalvin). The Catholic Church were supporters of all of the rituals previously stated, but because Calvin disagreed with them, he dealt with the papacy by supporting contrasting beliefs. Another one of the papacy’s doctrines that Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli disagreed with was the selling of indulgences. Luther hated indulgences so much that he published the Ninety-five Theses, questions prompting debate about works and indulgences. The papacy’s support of indulgences aligns with the idea that works were the only way a person could achieve salvation, which Luther called foolish. Instead, Luther promoted sola fide, or faith alone saves, which meant that as long as you believed in Christ’s message, you would go to heaven (lutherandcalvin). Calvin was another Protestant to strongly disagree with indulgences, but for other reasons than Luther’s. According to Calvin, divine predestination was the only way someone could make it to salvation, which means that God has already chosen who will be saved and who will be lost. He goes on to say
that God is infinitely good, while man is infinitely sinful. In Calvin’s eyes, no amount of works and indulgences can bridge the gap between these two (lutherandcalvin).
In conclusion, it’s very clear that neither Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli agreed to follow the papacy and it’s wrong doings. So, they dealt with these issues by combating them with their own beliefs, explanations, and arguments.