On Mondays we want to encourage discussion about Church history. The idea of tolerance and plurality of doctrinal stands became very important in the 16th century and following. What could have caused this move? Does it conflict with the historic idea of “one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church”?
Mondays are for Church History - 11/21/16
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. Revised and Updated ed. Vol. 2. New York: HarperCollins, 2010b. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 14 “A Convulsed Age” Loc. 2596-2672.
In the 16th century, Gonzalez points out, Christianity was largely considered in European terms, bounded by Islam to south and east and the Atlantic to the west. Thoughts of the spread of Christianity aimed at conversion of Muslims (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2604). By the end of the century transportation had improved and Islam was becoming surrounded by Christianity (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2611). Meanwhile, the Western idea of Medieval Christianity was changing, reflecting a greater cultural and theological diversity (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2626). At the same time, all the major Protestant Reformers sought unity in the church (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2634). Eventually, civil governments, realizing such unity was unlikely, moved to tolerate a variety of religious views (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2644). Likewise, imperial unity and conciliar movements declined (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2648). The unifying factor which remained was a dependence on the Bible as God’s sufficient Word (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2664). This would remain the standard for unity and reform.
All the work of Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry, including this blog, is supported by the generosity of people like you. Please consider joining our team of prayer and financial supporters. Read more here!
Mondays are for Church History - 11/21/16
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. Revised and Updated ed. Vol. 2. New York: HarperCollins, 2010b. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 14 “A Convulsed Age” Loc. 2596-2672.
In the 16th century, Gonzalez points out, Christianity was largely considered in European terms, bounded by Islam to south and east and the Atlantic to the west. Thoughts of the spread of Christianity aimed at conversion of Muslims (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2604). By the end of the century transportation had improved and Islam was becoming surrounded by Christianity (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2611). Meanwhile, the Western idea of Medieval Christianity was changing, reflecting a greater cultural and theological diversity (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2626). At the same time, all the major Protestant Reformers sought unity in the church (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2634). Eventually, civil governments, realizing such unity was unlikely, moved to tolerate a variety of religious views (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2644). Likewise, imperial unity and conciliar movements declined (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2648). The unifying factor which remained was a dependence on the Bible as God’s sufficient Word (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2664). This would remain the standard for unity and reform.
All the work of Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry, including this blog, is supported by the generosity of people like you. Please consider joining our team of prayer and financial supporters. Read more here!
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