-
Discussion Board Response – Josh Cougle
Eric, I think this was a really good summary of what the Reformation did for modern Christianity. It quickly detailed what the start of the Reformation and the effects, primarily that it upset the power of the Catholic Church and invited Christians to attempt to get back to what God intended for the Church. I think it’s especially important that you mentioned that Christians were free from the rule of a man who governed often with ulterior motives and with often, radically different goals from Jesus. The change the Reformation brought cannot be overstated, and you’re right, it led to a number of new “types” of Christianity and scholarly thought. I appreciated how you detailed that the Reformation was not limited to Church, or theological, advancements… this is certainly true. There were wars fought and important political shifts that happened as the result of the fracturing of Rome’s power and God’s people reclaiming the future of his Church. And yes, the Reformation probably wouldn’t have happened, at least not on as wide a scale, without the printing press. The material of the reformers and the Bible in everyday language brought so many more very quickly into all that was going on.
Your last paragraph listing the impact of the reformation on the modern Church seems pretty spot on. From the diversity of denominations and their beliefs and practices, to the encouragement of reflection and examining our practices and beliefs against Scripture, the Reformation did have an incredible impact.
Thanks for this summary, it was a good read.