Historical Theology Structure Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® • No AI

In the structured essay below, you will be asked to compare and contrast reform in the Catholic church prior to the Reformation (include Contarini in this category) with that of Luther and Zwingli. Answer concisely, but be sure to use concrete examples to make your points.

Under “Bases” briefly identify the similarity (e.g., “view of animal souls”), and then in the box under each provide examples that illustrate these for each. Please provide two sets of similarities of their reforms.

Bases	Pre-Reformation Catholic Reform	Luther and Zwingli
1st Similarity: Believe in one God.	In their reforms they did not change the supreme that they worshipped; they continued believing in God.	They believed in God as the supreme being.
2nd Similarity Accept common scriptures that are holy.	The Holy Scriptures were the basis of their faith, and they continued using them for guidance and also to strengthen their faith.	They also believed in the holy scriptures and even their reforms were supported by the scriptures.
Choosing one of the above, give a substantive reason explaining whythey share this similar aspect of reform: they believe in one God because despite the fact they have differences in some of the doctrines concerning faith, what unites them is stronger than what divides them. They cannot dispute what has been there during the time of biblical apostles, for example, Paul. They have not known of any other God apart from the one the early Christians believed in. Luther and Zwingli wanted to change some of the things that they felt were not right in the church, and introduce a proper way of doing things in the church. So that the people do not continue doing things that do not Godly believe that they are serving God. This reason is significant (not essential) for understanding medieval and Reformation reform because: if they changed the supreme being to be worshipped, they could have changed everything that people believed in and this could totally change the gospel and confuse the people the more. The reforms that were made were not much, and they could be easily understood as they made many people see the light in following some of the practices which have religious. And they both greatly condemned idolatry. And the primitive apostolic faith that the people held on to.

Identify now, two substantive differences that divided them on the nature of reform. Again, answer concisely but be sure to use concrete examples to make your points.

Under “Bases” briefly identify each of the dissimilarities (e.g. mediating role of Balaam’s ass), and then in the box under each provides concise examples that illustrate the difference. Be sure to provide two sets that illustrate these differences.

Bases	Pre-Reformation Catholic Reform	Luther and Zwingli
1st Difference: Differed on the sale of indulgences	The reform was for praying the dead in purgatory	The reform was against praying for the dead in purgatory.
2nd Difference: Non functionality of the saint merit in the gospel	They believed that every believer who died become a saint.	The opinion of them was different they did not believe in sainthood.
Choosing one of the above, give a substantive reason explaining whythey differed aspect of reform: the Catholics firmly believed that the Christians who died became saints and that they were holy. But Luther and Zwingli significantly opposed these as they believed that the Christians would not define who was a saint or not, and they did not believe in the intercessory prayers that the Catholics believed that the saints could intercede on behalf of them. They saw that the people were in some way worshipping they believed were saints. They believed each and every individual would communicate directly with God as the time when people would be interceded for was already gone. This difference is significant (not significant) for understanding medieval and Reformation reform because: the Romanians believed it was the only way they would remember all the faithful Christians who had passed on, by honoring them as saints and made their memories alive for the future generations, of the Roman Catholics so that they could follow their practices and live their lives just as they did in order to live holy lives.

Finally, address an issue of significance that divided Luther and Zwingli that is reflective of their different concepts of reform. Be sure you explain how it relates to change and not merely a theological difference!

Identify a substantive issue that divided Luther and Zwingli and is reflective of their different views of reform and provide an example that illustrates that: the matter of substance that divided them was that of the Eucharist the two had differing opinions, Luther believed that when Jesus said this is my body” meant his real presence in the last supper, while Zwingli believed the words signified hi body. This could be a significant challenge to the goal of reform could not be met quickly due to the differing views that these people had. They had first to agree on one thing so that they could be successful on their reformation process.
This issue is reflective of differing views of reform because: both of them had a different understanding of a similar matter, and each one of them stuck to their idea of what they believed was right. It confused the people as they did not know who was right among them. Also, this brought divisions and misunderstanding among them and these led to political setbacks and the emperor took advantage of the situation to exploit differences that the reformers had. It showed how these two people did not a good and shared understanding of the course that they were advocating as reformists.

More related papers Related Essay Examples