Posted: January 18th, 2023

Explicit/implicit Reformation goals

Explicit/implicit Reformation goals
The Reformation, a religious movement that began in the early 16th century, had both explicit and implicit goals. Explicit goals refer to those that were clearly stated and intended, while implicit goals refer to those that were not necessarily stated but were present nonetheless.

Explicit goals of the Reformation include:
Sola Scriptura: The belief that the Bible is the sole authority for Christian doctrine and practice. This goal was explicitly stated by Martin Luther, who believed that the Catholic Church had strayed from the teachings of the Bible. He argued that the Bible should be made available to all people in their own language, so that they could read and interpret it for themselves.
Justification by Faith: The belief that salvation comes through faith alone, and not through good works or the sacraments of the Catholic Church. This goal was also explicitly stated by Luther, who believed that the Catholic Church had placed too much emphasis on good works and sacraments, rather than faith.
Priesthood of all believers: The belief that all Christians are equal in the eyes of God, and that there is no need for a special class of priests to mediate between God and the people. This goal was explicitly stated by many Reformers, including Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin.

Implicit goals of the Reformation include:
Nationalism: The Reformation led to the fragmentation of the Catholic Church, and the formation of national churches. This development was not an explicit goal of the Reformers, but it was a natural consequence of the movement. As a result of the Reformation, each country had its own national church, which reflected the cultural and political context of that country.
Individualism: The emphasis on the Bible as the sole authority for Christian doctrine and practice, and the belief in justification by faith alone, led to an emphasis on the individual’s relationship with God. This was not an explicit goal of the Reformers, but it was a natural consequence of the movement.
Economic and Social Changes: The Reformation also led to economic and social changes, such as the growth of capitalism and the decline of feudalism. This was not an explicit goal of the Reformers, but it was a natural consequence of the movement. Many of the Reformers were merchants and businessmen, who saw in the Reformation an opportunity to break free from the constraints of feudalism and to pursue economic opportunities.
The Reformation had both explicit and implicit goals. The explicit goals were clearly stated by the Reformers and related to religious doctrine and practice, while the implicit goals were the natural consequences of the movement and related to cultural, economic, and social changes.

References:
“Reformation” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2023. https://www.britannica.com/event/Reformation
“Martin Luther” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Luther
“Ulrich Zwingli” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ulrich-Zwingli
“John Calvin” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 20

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