Share:

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, it’s a good idea to reflect on the past every so often to note where you’ve come from. This is perhaps more appropriate for Christians than ever before, as the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation is this year. Here, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Honolulu, HI, provides an overview of the Reformation.

On October 31, 1517, a monk by the name of Martin Luther notoriously posted the 95 Theses on the door of the 1555 Peace of Augsburg in Wittenberg, Germany. The theses outlined perceived issues with the Catholic church, but namely called for recognition of the scripture — instead of the Pope — as the sole source of religious authority in Christianity. Lutheran’s ideas spread, and the questioning of papal authority took hold across Europe.

Specifically, Luther’s beliefs were disseminated with the help of Gutenberg’s printing press. The printed religious materials resonated with Christians throughout Germany but eventually made their way throughout the Baltics and Scandinavia, as well as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Scotland. Two main sects of Protestantism emerged: Lutheranism and Calvinism. German peasants were particularly inspired by Lutheran beliefs and revolted against the Catholic Church in 1524. By the time the Reformation ended, Lutheranism was the state religion through many parts of Germany, Scandinavia, and the Baltics.

ChristiansThe Reformation took on its own form in England, as well. When Henry VIII was denied an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon by Pope Clement VII, the king declared himself the sole authority in matters of the English church. By the mid-1500s, Elizabeth I shifted the Church of England towards a middle ground between Catholicism and Calvinism.

In 1545, the Catholic Church developed the Council of Trent, which was established to create a Counter-Reformation to combat Protestantism. While Northern Europe was mostly steadfast in its support for Protestantism by this point, Southern Europe stood by Roman Catholicism.

This put Central Europe in the throes of significant conflict. Eventually, the conflict culminated in the Thirty Years’ War. The Peace of Westphalia ended the war in 1648, giving princes in the warring parties the right to determine the religions of their own states.

While the birth of Lutheranism is certainly something to be celebrated among members of its congregation, there’s also much to be learned from the history of world religions as a whole. Today, members of the church are united in the love of Jesus and approach this as a means to unify neighbors instead of as a divisive belief system.

In fact, everyone is welcome to attend services at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church to see how these peaceful Christians serve the Waikiki community. They hold Sunday worship at 10 a.m. and provide Bible studies and other events throughout the week. To learn more, visit the church online or call (808) 922-6011.

tracking