For centuries the Roman Catholic Church's understanding of its role in the world and its perception of the world beyond Rome, were becoming less and less compatible with actual conditions. Society had been changing in Europe throughout the Middle Ages, the Renaissance was dramatically transforming the way in which people looked at the world around them, and more importantly, how they looked at themselves and their place in the world.

The pace of change was not rapid, but it was relentless, and the church in Rome had not kept pace with events. Church leaders were out of touch with the common people, and unable or unwilling to admit that all was not well in Christendom. Corruption had worked its insidious way into the ranks of the clergy, and alienated many of the common people, who recognized base hy

In response to this challenge papal authorities ordered Luther to retract and submit to church authority, but he became more stubborn, appealing for reform, attacking the sacramental system, and urging that religion rest on individual faith based on the guidance contained in the Bible. Threatened with excommunication by the pope, Luther publicly burned the bull, or papal decree, of excommunication and with it a volume of canon law. (Barzun 20)

In support of his action, Luther declared that he could not submit his faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it was clear as day they had frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless he was convinced otherwise by the testimony of Scripture he could not and would not retract his beliefs. (Kirsch 271)

The new church spread in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, especially among princes and people who hoped for a greater degree of freedom. The conflict between the Lutherans and the Catholic Emperor Charles V was long and bitter. Despite the temporary settlement reached at Augsburg, continuing discord and strife ultimately led to the brutal Thirty Years War. (Kuske)

Meanwhile, in 1536 the city of Geneva had become the center for the dramatic teachings of John Calvin, perhaps the greatest theologian of the Reformation era. In France the Huguenots, inspired by Calvin's doctrine, resisted the Catholic majority in the Wars of Religion, which raged between 1562 and 1598. Ultimately, Calvinism superseded Lutheranism in the Netherlands, and spread across the North Sea to Scotland through the efforts of John Knox. (Barzun 34)

Beyond the borders of Germany a different type of dissent developed under Huldreich Zwingli in Zurich, and within Protestantism, differences arose, such as doctrinal arguments over the Lord's Supper. These were debated at the Colloquy of Marburg in 1529 by Martin Luther and Philip Melanthchon on one side and Zwingli and Johannes Oecolampadius on the other, but no agreement could be reached. Subsequently, more radical ideas were spread throughout most of Europe, particularly among the lower class

Some common words found in the essay are:
Catholic Church, Martin Luther, Testament German, Christendom Corruption, Bible Threatened, Huss Desire, Ages Renaissance, Holy Roman, Catholic Church's, Martin Luther's, catholic church, ultimately led, martin luther, emphasis individual, roman catholic, church hierarchy, external factors, holy roman emperor, led luther, led freedom, common people, church ultimately led, catholic church hierarchy, catholic church ultimately, ultimately led freedom,
Approximate Word count = 1431
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)