Importance of the Reformation in Europe Research Paper

Importance of the innovation in Europe - Research Paper lineamentThis paper analyses the importance of the Reformation in the context of its theological foundations, historical background and influence on the subsequent development of valet de chambrekind. The head start chapter deals with cultural and historical context and background of the Reformation, since it allows better understanding of the temper of changes which took place during and after the Reformation. The second chapter gives a brief characteristic of the essence of religious reform. Chapters three and four analyze most important changes in the concepts of morality, freedom and reason. Chapter five describes political and social meaning of the Reformation and its influence of the further historical development. Conclusion summarizes main arguments given in the paper. Selected bibliography offers a wide turn tail of books and periodicals on the topic of the paper. Thesis The Reformation is usually considered as a widespread anti-Catholic movement for the renewal of Christianity in Europe in the 16th century, the founders and leaders of which were Martin Luther (1483-1546) and Jean Calvin (1509-1564). But the Reformation was not exactly a religious renewal it was a profound transformation of the Christian culture. The result of this transformation was not only a new version of Christianity Protestantism, but also a new type of man with a new attitude to life and himself. It was this type of man that appeared to be the driving force of the quick development of western civilization. Introduction The Reformation changed the conceptual world of Christianity and laid the foundations of a new type of Christian culture. In this updated culture, as Max Weber assumed in his book The Protestant ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, a supramundane Christian spirituality acted as a semantic foundation of the new determine ethic and became an inspirational force of rational and practical transformat ion of the world. The Reformation was a spiritual serve to the challenge for the human spirit created by socio-economic and cultural situation of the 16th century. Therefore, it would be rational first to describe the context in which the roots of a new culture got implanted. Cultural and Historical mount and Background of the Reformation Catholic culture of Western European Middle Ages was a sort of via media between the sinful conditions of the world and supramundane maximalism of the Spirit. The life of a layman was full of daily cares of the world, and did not go through any relation with the salvation of soul. However, it was believed that the Churchdue to religious merit of its saintsaccumulated more godly grace than it was necessary for the salvation of recognized righteous men. This excess amount of grace was given by Church to the laity, but not to all, only to those who in their worldly life held religious rules and supported the efforts of the church building to save the world. As a matter of fact, in real life it appeared that support of the Churchs efforts did not necessarily require high personal morality. Divine grace and salvation could be clear by a pilgrimage, participation in the crusade, or just property or cash donations to the demand of the church. In