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This was a question posed long ago in the General Theology area. While it is argued that the line between Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant faiths still widens, I am of the opinion that the Reformation was a great success. I know I will catch the devil over that statement, however, lets look at some facts.
The Effect on Religion
To a greater degree than ever before, in the centuries between 1500 and 1750, Christianity gave rise to new and potent religious movements. Besides sparking the Protestant movement, it also had the effect of sparking a Catholic Reformation. The Catholic and Protestant Reformations were actually two phases of one movement. In both, it may be said both were seeking to cleanse the church and to bring it closer to the Christian ideal. And both movements fostered in later generations, a great move towards Christian missions.
While the Protestant Reformation sought to bring reform from within, it did reject some tenants of Catholicism. While on the other hand, it did force the Catholic Church to re-examine its own teachings and traditions. This is most clearly seen in the calling of the Council of Trent.
Protestantism was a powerful thrust upon Christianity. And, there were factors that were hostel to Protestantism, such as the tendency of nationalism, ambitions of monarchs, and the expanding growth of the new middle class. And it has been argued that these were but secondary causes, they did make it possible for Protestantism to survive, thrive, and even help shape Protestantism.
And the Reformation did have some positive effects on Catholicism. One area most notably was the revivification of old monastic orders, and brought about new ones.
Another area where both the Catholic and Protestant Reformations were to have a huge impact was how it penetrated all levels of society. From the tenth to twelfth centuries, new monastic movements and their creators were from the aristocracy. While the Protestant Reformation produced pioneers who were mostly of peasant stock.
However, the Reformation also produced numerous intellectuals in both the Protestant and Catholic faiths. Prior to the Reformation, during the Middle Ages, most of the clergy had little education. The printing press had an immeasurable effect. Books and pamphlets were now accessible to a large proportion of the population. Notable was the ability to print catechisms for the education among both Protestants and Catholics.
Reformation Christianity and the Effect on Political Life and Structure
There are too numerous examples of the state controlling the church to list. However, Protestantism did provide fertile ground for the development of democracy. The Reformation churches had in it much of democracy. This is especially true of Presbyterians, but most noteworthy were the Independents, Baptists, and Quakers.
And thanks to John Locke, his sentiments were later echoed in the Declaration of Independence saying that men are:
by nature, all free, equal, and independent. No man can be put out of his estate without his full consent.
Reformation Christianity and its Effects on Economic Theory and Practice
Feudalism was fading. Commerce was mounting. Guilds, which formed to regulate trade, were disappearing. Laissez faire was beginning to formulate due in part to close control of commerce by the state being dominated by monarchs. Capitalism was taking shape. So what has this to do with Christianity?
It has been argued most successfully (cf. M. Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism) that Protestantism, especially Calvinism, was a major source of capitalism. The Reformation faith taught that every Christian and not clergymen alone should regard their occupation a vocation which they should pursue in response to the call of God, and should work conscientiously as in the sight of God. This led to a kind of asceticism. They were to seek to produce what would be useful to the community.
They were not to be idle, nor spend selfishly or luxuriously. They were to make all they could, spend what was necessary, save the surplus, and give part for worthy causes. And there are arguments out there that say this ultimately led to the accumulation of wealth, and thereby made capitalism possible. Thusly Protestantism fostered by way of acquisition of capital, the growth of the bourgeoisie. For example, it may be pointed out that while in the Netherlands, while committed to the Reformed faith, it became a great commercial power, and in England, Puritanism had its chief strongholds in the middle class that were thriving in the cities that were thriving on the expanding industry and trade.
However, before this is debated, we can look back at the middle ages long before Protestantism emerged, and see that capitalism had roots in the earliest European bankers who were not Protestant, but Catholic. And, I will admit that it cannot be proven that Calvinism was the decisive impulse in the development of capitalism, or even the cause of it. But I can say with confidence that it was the Reformed faith that proved to be fertile ground for capitalism.
Reformation Christianity and Social Life
With all due respect, the effects of Reformation Christianity (Catholic and Protestant) had a greater impact on the West as opposed to the East. It is here also that the Catholic Reformation was to shine.
When the Roman Empire finally collapsed, the social services once provided by the state, were inherited by the church. In contrast, in the East, the control of the state and the influence exerted upon the church by the Moslems worked against the church.
Whatever the reason, in the West, during the Protestant and Catholic Reformation, the power inherent in the Christian faith, gave rise to many efforts for the underprivileged and social reform.
Again, with all due respect, one of the reasons why Protestantism was slow to do much for the poor, sick, and orphans, was partly due to their stressing of salvation by faith alone. Protestantism decried efforts to win merit by doing good works. And again, with all due respect, from Protestant convictions, during this time they had no monastic orders, and these were the chief instruments by which the Roman Catholics cared for these members of society. Yet Protestants did find a way. They did it partly through the parish as in England and Scotland, and through institutions such as orphanages like the one the Pietists created at Halle.
Both the Catholic and Protestant Reformations were to give rise to prison reforms that were to come in the nineteenth century. Both Reformations did much for women. Societies and orders made up of women became more prominent in the RCC. And in some cases, as with Quakers, women were placed nearly or completely equal with men.
Marriage was another. This gave among Protestants, a distinct change in family life and honor the wife. Even among Catholics, no longer for a time, was marriage unlawful for the clergy. Celibacy was esteemed the higher way for Christians.
Reformation Christianity and Art and Music
Here again, with all due respect to my Protestant brethren, here was another area where the Catholic Church was to shine.
While some of the greatest art, literature, and music came out of the middle ages, very little was allowed outside Christian themes. However, on the verge of the Reformation, it was in 1498 that Leonardo Di Vinci finished the beautiful mural of the Last Supper.
Some of the most beautiful architecture was to come from this. Notable and even I admit I am impressed by St. Peters in Rome. The Jesuits also contributed in designing churches so that the congregation could see the celebration of the Mass. This had the effect of encouraging participation. As a result of the Catholic Reformation, more prominence was given to the pulpit so greater care was taken and churches designed so that the sermon could be heard.
If this is true of Catholicism, it is also true of Protestantism. Again, partly because of a different conviction reacting against what they deemed idolatry, most especially in the use of images, sculptures, paintings, and stained glass windows, many Protestants made their churches severely plain. But in spite of this, there were some inspired Christian architecture. A classic example is St. Pauls cathedral in England. This style also made its way to the thirteen colonies.
Some of the greatest music was written during this time. Johann Sebastian Bach, a Lutheran, who devoted much of his genius and service to the church. George Fredrick Handel wrote a lot of secular music, most notably were his operas. Yet he was not without Christian influence. He will probably be forever known above all for his Messiah.
And in light of this, in both Reformations, the use of hymns and psalms were being used. So to finally answer the question, was the Reformation a failure?
Catholics and Protestants must agree and say in one accord a resounding NO!
I quoted extensively from:
History of Christianity, Reformation to Present, Kenneth Scott LaTourette, Prince Press; Revised edition (1975)
God Bless
Till all are one.
The Effect on Religion
To a greater degree than ever before, in the centuries between 1500 and 1750, Christianity gave rise to new and potent religious movements. Besides sparking the Protestant movement, it also had the effect of sparking a Catholic Reformation. The Catholic and Protestant Reformations were actually two phases of one movement. In both, it may be said both were seeking to cleanse the church and to bring it closer to the Christian ideal. And both movements fostered in later generations, a great move towards Christian missions.
While the Protestant Reformation sought to bring reform from within, it did reject some tenants of Catholicism. While on the other hand, it did force the Catholic Church to re-examine its own teachings and traditions. This is most clearly seen in the calling of the Council of Trent.
Protestantism was a powerful thrust upon Christianity. And, there were factors that were hostel to Protestantism, such as the tendency of nationalism, ambitions of monarchs, and the expanding growth of the new middle class. And it has been argued that these were but secondary causes, they did make it possible for Protestantism to survive, thrive, and even help shape Protestantism.
And the Reformation did have some positive effects on Catholicism. One area most notably was the revivification of old monastic orders, and brought about new ones.
Another area where both the Catholic and Protestant Reformations were to have a huge impact was how it penetrated all levels of society. From the tenth to twelfth centuries, new monastic movements and their creators were from the aristocracy. While the Protestant Reformation produced pioneers who were mostly of peasant stock.
However, the Reformation also produced numerous intellectuals in both the Protestant and Catholic faiths. Prior to the Reformation, during the Middle Ages, most of the clergy had little education. The printing press had an immeasurable effect. Books and pamphlets were now accessible to a large proportion of the population. Notable was the ability to print catechisms for the education among both Protestants and Catholics.
Reformation Christianity and the Effect on Political Life and Structure
There are too numerous examples of the state controlling the church to list. However, Protestantism did provide fertile ground for the development of democracy. The Reformation churches had in it much of democracy. This is especially true of Presbyterians, but most noteworthy were the Independents, Baptists, and Quakers.
And thanks to John Locke, his sentiments were later echoed in the Declaration of Independence saying that men are:
by nature, all free, equal, and independent. No man can be put out of his estate without his full consent.
Reformation Christianity and its Effects on Economic Theory and Practice
Feudalism was fading. Commerce was mounting. Guilds, which formed to regulate trade, were disappearing. Laissez faire was beginning to formulate due in part to close control of commerce by the state being dominated by monarchs. Capitalism was taking shape. So what has this to do with Christianity?
It has been argued most successfully (cf. M. Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism) that Protestantism, especially Calvinism, was a major source of capitalism. The Reformation faith taught that every Christian and not clergymen alone should regard their occupation a vocation which they should pursue in response to the call of God, and should work conscientiously as in the sight of God. This led to a kind of asceticism. They were to seek to produce what would be useful to the community.
They were not to be idle, nor spend selfishly or luxuriously. They were to make all they could, spend what was necessary, save the surplus, and give part for worthy causes. And there are arguments out there that say this ultimately led to the accumulation of wealth, and thereby made capitalism possible. Thusly Protestantism fostered by way of acquisition of capital, the growth of the bourgeoisie. For example, it may be pointed out that while in the Netherlands, while committed to the Reformed faith, it became a great commercial power, and in England, Puritanism had its chief strongholds in the middle class that were thriving in the cities that were thriving on the expanding industry and trade.
However, before this is debated, we can look back at the middle ages long before Protestantism emerged, and see that capitalism had roots in the earliest European bankers who were not Protestant, but Catholic. And, I will admit that it cannot be proven that Calvinism was the decisive impulse in the development of capitalism, or even the cause of it. But I can say with confidence that it was the Reformed faith that proved to be fertile ground for capitalism.
Reformation Christianity and Social Life
With all due respect, the effects of Reformation Christianity (Catholic and Protestant) had a greater impact on the West as opposed to the East. It is here also that the Catholic Reformation was to shine.
When the Roman Empire finally collapsed, the social services once provided by the state, were inherited by the church. In contrast, in the East, the control of the state and the influence exerted upon the church by the Moslems worked against the church.
Whatever the reason, in the West, during the Protestant and Catholic Reformation, the power inherent in the Christian faith, gave rise to many efforts for the underprivileged and social reform.
Again, with all due respect, one of the reasons why Protestantism was slow to do much for the poor, sick, and orphans, was partly due to their stressing of salvation by faith alone. Protestantism decried efforts to win merit by doing good works. And again, with all due respect, from Protestant convictions, during this time they had no monastic orders, and these were the chief instruments by which the Roman Catholics cared for these members of society. Yet Protestants did find a way. They did it partly through the parish as in England and Scotland, and through institutions such as orphanages like the one the Pietists created at Halle.
Both the Catholic and Protestant Reformations were to give rise to prison reforms that were to come in the nineteenth century. Both Reformations did much for women. Societies and orders made up of women became more prominent in the RCC. And in some cases, as with Quakers, women were placed nearly or completely equal with men.
Marriage was another. This gave among Protestants, a distinct change in family life and honor the wife. Even among Catholics, no longer for a time, was marriage unlawful for the clergy. Celibacy was esteemed the higher way for Christians.
Reformation Christianity and Art and Music
Here again, with all due respect to my Protestant brethren, here was another area where the Catholic Church was to shine.
While some of the greatest art, literature, and music came out of the middle ages, very little was allowed outside Christian themes. However, on the verge of the Reformation, it was in 1498 that Leonardo Di Vinci finished the beautiful mural of the Last Supper.
Some of the most beautiful architecture was to come from this. Notable and even I admit I am impressed by St. Peters in Rome. The Jesuits also contributed in designing churches so that the congregation could see the celebration of the Mass. This had the effect of encouraging participation. As a result of the Catholic Reformation, more prominence was given to the pulpit so greater care was taken and churches designed so that the sermon could be heard.
If this is true of Catholicism, it is also true of Protestantism. Again, partly because of a different conviction reacting against what they deemed idolatry, most especially in the use of images, sculptures, paintings, and stained glass windows, many Protestants made their churches severely plain. But in spite of this, there were some inspired Christian architecture. A classic example is St. Pauls cathedral in England. This style also made its way to the thirteen colonies.
Some of the greatest music was written during this time. Johann Sebastian Bach, a Lutheran, who devoted much of his genius and service to the church. George Fredrick Handel wrote a lot of secular music, most notably were his operas. Yet he was not without Christian influence. He will probably be forever known above all for his Messiah.
And in light of this, in both Reformations, the use of hymns and psalms were being used. So to finally answer the question, was the Reformation a failure?
Catholics and Protestants must agree and say in one accord a resounding NO!
I quoted extensively from:
History of Christianity, Reformation to Present, Kenneth Scott LaTourette, Prince Press; Revised edition (1975)
God Bless
Till all are one.
