Reformation: Luther & Erasmus on Renewal, Revival and Reform - Essay Sample

Introduction

Both Catholic and Protestant reformation was to renew, revive and reform the church because people had involved in political powers, sexual immorality and financial corruption. The conflicts between Muslim and Christian reformers affected the spread of Christianity in European nations and Spain. However, the paper focuses on the ideas of Martin Luther (Protestants) and Desiderius Erasmus (Catholic) towards Christianity.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Question 1

The role of reformation was to renew, revive and reform the church. According to both catholic (Desiderius Erasmus,) and protestant (Martin Luther) reformers, the church was not standing spiritually because of issues like political powers, sexual immorality and financial corruption (Backus, 2016). Before people emulate change, there must be a conflict. For instance, Martin Luther, in an attempt to bring Christianity, appealed only individuals who were under his hierarchy. Although he stressed on spiritual and social equality of all people in the eyes of God, he faced a rebellion in the year 1525 during German Peasant's War (Messer, 2015). The violent action of peasants who were more than 40,000 condemned Luther in print. Besides, various studies argued that the reformation brought the conflict between Christian denominations and non-Christian individuals. For example, in 1492, Queen Isabella, Rulers of Castile, King Ferdinand and Aragon opposed the actions of Christianity by Luther in Wittenberg (Wagner, 2015). The emergence of Muslim and Jewish populations demonstrated both practical and symbolic violence against Christianity, although it was spread in Spain and European nations. However, after the Peasant War, the reformation motivated many people who endorsed the Holy Roman Empire.

Whether we are born corrupt or not is an issue debated by many philosophers. For instance, Catholics argued that the behavior is learned while Protestant suggested that, most children embrace the practices of their parents. Great philosophers also argued that a man is a political animal with inborn propensity to develop a complex society, city or town with law-making and division of labor (Messer, 2015). This type of community should have a large family that needs the use of human reasoning. The protestant reformers argued that people have morals in childhood, but the society corrupt their behaviors. Multiple scholars viewed that, the child is not born corrupt since it is a behavior learned as they interact with different cultures and societies (Backus, 2016).

Question 3

During the Protestant Reformation, the matter of authority, according to the scriptures, stood in a central position. For instance, when Luther was asked what he understood about the Bible interpretation and how he could ensure the effectiveness of scripture understanding to the church, he replied that "the Bible demonstrates the aspect of salvation clearly and correctly, so no authority should impose to ensure interpretation". Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus, were antagonist because Protestant emphasized the authority of Bible scripture and depended on textual comparison and spirit internal witness to achieve a proper interpretation (Wagner, 2015). The Catholics reiterated that power would not solve moral and doctrinal disputes since God gave the church power to handle such issues. The Catholic reformer Desiderius Erasmus criticized Luther's method as it could lead to disaster since every person should follow his/her lights towards scripture obedience as interpreted by churches. According to the Christin doctrine and practice, the Bible is the authority which should govern people on how they conduct themselves (Messer, 2015). Although different churches appoint their leaders, these people are meant to spearhead the mission of Christ. For instance, Jesus gave his church the power to govern, sanctify and preach the Gospel with authority to ensure his mission becomes successful.

Question 4

The protestant reformer, Martin Luther, believed that people are saved by grace according to their Christian doctrine. While the catholic reformer, Desiderius Erasmus, argued that, the mixture of works and faith is vital for salvation (Wagner, 2015). The Bible claims that God saved people because of His mercy (Messer, 2015). Jesus also came to liberate people from sinful nature. Hence, according to scriptures, people are saved by grace and mercy of God.

Question 5

The Bible scripture has helped us to understand the need for salvation because Christ died to liberate us from sinful nature 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. The Bible also helps in sustaining the spiritual life because it is hard to become a Christian without following the will of God. In Mathew 4:4, Christ said, a man cannot live on bread alone but the word of God. The scripture plays a significant role in believer's lives because it enables people to grow in spiritual maturity. Each believer has a sin nature, and the church allows repentance (I Thessalonians 5:14). Also, Ephesians 4:1-16 illustrates the role of believers to be in church for spiritual growth and unity. "We are in spiritual conflict, and although Christ won the victory against sin, we should also fight sin in our lives" (Ecclesiastics. 4:12). So, believers should fight the battle with the help and support of the body of Christ.

Question 6

Given a chance to persuade my opponent. I would emphasize the need for salvation because Christianity starts with receiving and accepting Jesus Christ as a personal savior. I would also continue ministering to him or her to ensure he/she grows spiritually because to battle with sins needs frequent prayers and total dedication to God. I believe the Bible changes and forms a character since the power of the Holy Spirit facilitates living holy life. Then Jesus came for the sinners, and everyone has a chance to acquire salvation.

Conclusion

Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus brought a great Christianity revolution which was against corruption and other aspects that could corrupt people's behaviors. Catholics and Protestant agreed that people should accept only God and follow the Bible teachings. However, both Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus had opposing viewpoints. For instance, Luther criticized Catholic for the selling of indulgences which had no foundation in the Bible.

References

Backus, I. (2016). Life writing in Reformation Europe: lives of reformers by friends, disciples and foes. Routledge.

Messer, N. (2015). Determinism, freedom and sin: Reformed theological resources for a conversation with neuroscience and philosophy. Studies in Christian Ethics, 28(2), 163-174. https://doi.org/10.1177/0953946815570591

Wagner, J. A. (Ed.). (2015). Voices of the Reformation: Contemporary Accounts of Daily Life: Contemporary Accounts of Daily Life. ABC-CLIO.