The Reformation as Revolution Essay Example

Was The reformation, by definition, actually a revolution? The reformation was primarily sparked by two influential thinkers of the time, Martin Luther and John Calvin. Martin Luther was a German monk who created the 95 theses, a work disagreeing with the church's view on indulgences. Martin Luther claimed they were unjust and when put on trial would not recant, causing him to be excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. He later created his own church, the Lutheran church and its values are still practiced today. John Calvin was second in line to Luther as a leader of The Reformation. Calvin was a French theologian who lived in Geneva until he was kicked out due to his Protestant beliefs, and he lived in Germany. Calvin was then invited back and became the absolute ruler of Geneva, with much of his government based on the teachings of Luther, as well as predestination. Although it is called the reformation, actions by these two influencers suggest otherwise. The famous historian Will Durant claimed “A reformation is a correction of abuses; a revolution is a transfer of power.” Through examining the teachings and actions of these two leaders, one can come to the conclusion that The Reformation was at first a reformation, but later grew into a revolution.

Martin Luther does point out abuses that come from the church, but he also links them to a leader, influencing a change in power. When talking about the clergy, Martin Luther stated, “They (the Roman Catholic Popes) want to be the only masters of scriptures. … They assume authority for themselves and would persuade us with insolent juggling of words. But the Pope, whether to be bad or good, can not err in matters of faith. … Every baptized Christian is a priest already, not by appointment for ordination from the Pope or any other man, but because Christ Himself has begotten him as a priest … in baptism. …” Luther points out that the clergy are undeserving of their position of authority. Being baptized gives one the same qualifications for faith. In this example, Luther is in fact pointing out an abuse that needs to be corrected, therefore reforming this aspect of Christianity. He targets it at the current authority which could, and did, later cause them a loss of power. The author of a book on world history, Peter Stearns speaks as to why the church was being examined during Luther’s time, “… Rome had again become the center of the church. Elsewhere, in countries such as England, Denmark, Sweden, in Germany, strong princess National monarchs had gained power while feudalism declined. These rulers no longer wished to be subjected to the authority of the church. Feelings of national loyalty arose… and the Pope, away in Rome, began to be viewed as an outsider.” Rulers wanted to gain more power and Luther's Corrections made it easier. He allowed the rulers to easily point out Rome as a common enemy. This brought the people against the Pope who was currently in power, benefiting these individual rulers by giving them more support from their subjects. Although Martin Luther may not have intended for his ideas to be used to identify the pope as a common enemy, setting up the end outcome to be revolution.

The effect of the reforms leading to  revolution, is further seen through the power changes that resulted. The editors from biography.com, write how Luther used his own teachings to gain power,“Though still under threat of arrest, Luther returned to Wittenberg Castle Church, in Eisenach, in May 1522 to organize a new church, Lutheranism. He gained many followers, and the Lutheran Church also received considerable support from German princes. When a peasant revolt began in 1524, Luther denounced the peasants and sided with the rulers, whom he depended on to keep his church growing. Thousands of peasants were killed, but the Lutheran Church grew over the years.” While originally it had seemed that Martin Luther was trying to show the people that they had the power from their faith in God and therefore did not need a ruler, he backed up the rulers. He had successfully changed the power from the Pope to himself. Since the German princes controlled his level of authority, he made sure to get on their good side by persuading their people to follow them. A second example of Lutheranism being used to obtain power is John Calvin, as mentioned by the editors of biography.com, “Calvin used Protestant principles to establish a religious government; and in 1555, he was given absolute supremacy as leader in Geneva.” Luther set up the basis for Calvin to more easily rule, as he had shifted the people's thinking away from Pope's as rulers, leaving those who weren't Pope's, such as Calvin, to easily gain more power. Luther did not intend to cause revolutions but by denouncing the Pope he allowed others like John Calvin and himself to use this vacancy in leadership to gain power. The end results of Luther's teachings ultimately led to a revolution, so by Will Durant’s definition, The Reformation was actually a revolution.