Q: What is the purpose of the Church in society? How do we evaluate the reforms of the Reformation Era?
Talk Reformation Era: History and Literature
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1geoffreymeadows
With regard to this study on the Era of Reformations, a question arises about how we are to judge the success of the Reformation Era’s reforms. But in order to answer that we probably have to answer the question, What is the purpose of the Church in society? What role does it and should it play? We assume that it is a preservative, but what exactly is it supposed to preserve?
The anecdotal evidence I’ve used so far, borrowing from Massey’s book, about how the Reformation has led to thoughtless interpretation of the scriptures, is neither always accurate nor thorough enough to base conclusions on.
How does the role of the Church differ in predominantly Catholic and Protestant countries? Historically (as Protestant countries have evolved), Protestant churches have lent more power to the individual. That’s typically what historians claim. But are Catholic countries today really that distinguished from Protestant countries? Do they differ so widely in the powers they lend to the individual?
Changes from the 16th century to today (including democratic institutions) have been enormous. Even just the changes that took place within the 16th century were great. The dissolution of the monasteries, for instance, represented a whole paradigm shift in what the Church’s role should be. It was no longer a cosmic-scale devotional and meditative envelope of protection so much as an integrated social regulator and influencer.
Some in the Church would probably spiritualize this issue and say that the Church’s purpose is to bring glory to God. Spiritually speaking, I don’t know how anyone could argue against that. But I guess the question I’m asking is looking at the question more practically. What is the Church’s purpose within society? And how did the changes which came in the Reformation Era add to or subtract from that?
The anecdotal evidence I’ve used so far, borrowing from Massey’s book, about how the Reformation has led to thoughtless interpretation of the scriptures, is neither always accurate nor thorough enough to base conclusions on.
How does the role of the Church differ in predominantly Catholic and Protestant countries? Historically (as Protestant countries have evolved), Protestant churches have lent more power to the individual. That’s typically what historians claim. But are Catholic countries today really that distinguished from Protestant countries? Do they differ so widely in the powers they lend to the individual?
Changes from the 16th century to today (including democratic institutions) have been enormous. Even just the changes that took place within the 16th century were great. The dissolution of the monasteries, for instance, represented a whole paradigm shift in what the Church’s role should be. It was no longer a cosmic-scale devotional and meditative envelope of protection so much as an integrated social regulator and influencer.
Some in the Church would probably spiritualize this issue and say that the Church’s purpose is to bring glory to God. Spiritually speaking, I don’t know how anyone could argue against that. But I guess the question I’m asking is looking at the question more practically. What is the Church’s purpose within society? And how did the changes which came in the Reformation Era add to or subtract from that?
