Unit 4 Outcome 1 Historical Challenges To Religious Traditions Flashcards
What historical internal and external factors did the RCT face?
The reformation, growth of humanism, nationalism, capitalism, plague and diseases, departure from biblical faith with catholic dignitaries.
What are some historical internal and external challenges that have faced religious traditions?
Scientific discoveries, other religious traditions, natural disasters, disease and plague, nationalism, humanism, growth of towns and cities, growth of capitalism and the radical reorganisations of the economic systems.
What is a particular belief significant historical challenge faced by the RCT?
The Protestant reformation. The Protestant reformation was a revolution against the RCT and some of its foundational beliefs.
How did the Protestant reformation begin?
The Protestant reformation began with the speaking out of a monk named Martin Luther who opposed the RCT’s belief that good works were the only way of salvation and the selling of indulgences counted towards ones good works, his argument was that ones relationship with God is personal and by faith and scripture alone one attains Gods grace. Those in power at the time were also tired of the RCT and the power it’s bishops and popes had.
Why and how were the aspects of the RCT challenged?
The entire RCT was challenged.
Belief - The Foundational belief about salvation was challenged.
Ethics - the selling of indulgences and beatitudes. So
Social Structure - popes positions of ultimate authority and the role of the clergy was challenged.
Sacred Text - RCT’s right to be in ultimate authority interpreting scripture, specific interpretations challenged such as Romans.
Symbols - Use or religious symbols in General was challenged. The use of the crucifix and it’s representations of salvation and the belief or transubstantiation challenged.
Describe contextual factors and explain how they influenced the reformation.
Social: Renaissance humanism, printing press, capitalism, towns and cities growth, nationalism,
Historical/Political: Holy Roman Empire in league with pope, Europe split into many empires, unrest as kingdoms and empires fight for power.
Religious: RCT only form of Christianity, ultimate power over people, rule both political and spiritual life, becoming corrupt with increasing concern for worldly riches and territory rather than spiritual concerns.
The response of the RCT to the reformation.
They reaffirmed their identity and addressed the corruption they had in the council if Trent. They stamped out heresies with the formation of the Jesuit order, the inquisition, and the creation of the index of banned books. They also evangelised, spread their teachings across the world, discovery of America and conversion of the native Americans.
Evaluate if the RCT’s counter reformation against the Protestant reformation was successful.
Yes, because they are still one of the most dominant religions in the world today however they did not stop the growth of Protestantism either.
The nature and extent if the impact of the responses within the RCT, wider society and the other communities.
Religious diversity: Calvin and Zwingli continued filling the reformation, many forms of Protestantism were created and spread across Europe.
Europe split: impact was so massive that half of Europe converts to Protestant religions.
Political upheaval: Various political leaders convert for their own reasons (Henry the 8th).
Religious Wars: The brutal French war and the 30 year war.
