During the Reformation, Catholics and Protestants were opposed on several fundamental issues regarding the Christian faith. These disagreements led to one of the most sweeping changes to occur within Christianity since Constantine. The two sides differed significantly in their understanding and interpretation of the Scripture, and of the Christian life. The main points of contention were regarding the understanding of the concepts of Sola Gratia (grace alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), and Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). The struggle between the Protestant and Catholic understandings of these matters split the church and redirected Christianity forever.
Corruption and division within the Papacy, poor economic conditions, persecution, and scientific advances all contributed to growing pressure for reform within the Church. Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John …show more content…
Additionally, even before the New Testament was written, Christians had known what to believe based on traditions passed down by word of mouth from the apostles. Many customs that had been practiced by the church, they believed, went back to New Testament times, even though such practices were not referenced in the Bible. Therefore, rather than Scripture alone, Catholics believed Scripture and tradition equally gave the Church final authority.
Sola Fide, faith alone, and Sola Gratia, grace alone, were also central to Luther’s understanding of the Gospel. Luther believed that God gives righteousness to those who live by faith—not because they have earned righteousness by their works, but by God’s grace as a gift from God. Sinners are declared righteous because they trust God to save them; righteousness is imputed to the believer. This does not mean that sin is now absent from the believers life, rather they are justified by God’s work alone and are free to live in
Corruption and division within the Papacy, poor economic conditions, persecution, and scientific advances all contributed to growing pressure for reform within the Church. Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John …show more content…
Additionally, even before the New Testament was written, Christians had known what to believe based on traditions passed down by word of mouth from the apostles. Many customs that had been practiced by the church, they believed, went back to New Testament times, even though such practices were not referenced in the Bible. Therefore, rather than Scripture alone, Catholics believed Scripture and tradition equally gave the Church final authority.
Sola Fide, faith alone, and Sola Gratia, grace alone, were also central to Luther’s understanding of the Gospel. Luther believed that God gives righteousness to those who live by faith—not because they have earned righteousness by their works, but by God’s grace as a gift from God. Sinners are declared righteous because they trust God to save them; righteousness is imputed to the believer. This does not mean that sin is now absent from the believers life, rather they are justified by God’s work alone and are free to live in