Theology Questions

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The Protestant Reformation in Europe was a result of a combination of a number of factors, exacerbated during what Noll (2003) maintains was an ôera of general, dynamic change in European societyö (188). Prior to the Reformation, regionalism, nationalism, increased trade and economic development, and new intellectual worldviews precipitated the climax of the distinct spiritual crisis within society and the Church. Centuries of internal strife within the Roman Catholic Church, including warring popes and a focus on worldly (i.e. material) matters, also helped ripen the sowing field for Protestants roots. By the time of LutherÆs Ninety-Five Theses, Protestantism was taking shape in Europe. Nevertheless, it would remain The English Act of Supremacy (1534) that would forever alter relations between church and state. Within an intellectual genealogy of the major players and theological arguments of the Reformation, it becomes apparent that the struggle for power between church and state represented the foundation of the era that would forever alter the Church in England.

There are a number of significant players in the Reformation in Europe, including Luther, Zwingli, Bucer, Calvin, Mary, Elizabeth, Archbishop Cranmer, King Charles V of Spain and, of course, EnglandÆs King Henry VIII. LutherÆs interpretation of freedom of the individual within Christianity was perfectly suited to the aims of Henry VIII, who was unsuccessful in

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gions back to Romeö but their influence on missionary activity was a product of their zeal (201). Ironically, Jenkins (2002) maintains that the very regions where Christianity took hold now threaten to dominate Western Christianity, so successful were Christians in spreading Christianity in what he calls the ôSouth.ö Body As early as 1552, Xavier, an associate of Loyola, journeyed as a missionary to India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. Noll (2003) cautions that it is important to view the spread of Christianity as a combination of ôdirect responses to the challenge of Protestantism andàa product of internal Catholic impulsesö (202). Missionaries discovered quite early that it is virtually impossible to find converts to Christianity without adopting some of the rituals and customs associated with native cultures. Ironically, such rituals and customs that lead to different interpretations of Christianity in theory and practice have resulted in a contemporary conflict between what Chidester (2000) labels a battle between ôNorthö and ôSouth.ö Jenkins argues that in the modern era, Christianity is becoming significantly a non-Western, non-white religion whose biggest numbers are in Africa, Asia, and South America, all majors are
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Keith Ward, Catholic Church, India Noll, Christ Bailey, Instead Craig, John Polkinghorne, Jack Spong, Turks Jews, Asia Mandeville, Christianity Christian, craig 2000, spread christianity, noll 2003, chidester 2000, divine presence, creation doctrine, doctrines morals, church england, 2nd edit, jenkins 2000, christianity outside europe, history christianity 2nd, decisive moments history, christianity 2nd edit, moments history christianity,
Approximate Word count = 2917
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)

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