The Reformation: Its Causes and Its Theology

Lesson 2: The Road to Reformation

I.  Key Events  

A.  Growth of Church – Acts 2:47

            B.  Church (One, Holy, Catholic (universal), Apostolic) 

                        1.  Government – 3 forms 

2.  Development of Papacy

                                    a.  Between 313 – 440, Roman bishop claims supremacy

                                    b.  Petrine theory accepted by 590

            C.  Doctrinal Controversies

                        1.  The Councils

a.  Council of Nicaea (325)

                                    b.  Council of Constantinople (381)

                        2.  Pelagian Heresy 

            E.  Eastern Split (1054)

F.  Renaissance 

II.  Key Factors  

            A.  Moral Decline 

            B.  Theological Decline

                        1.  Dogma (Transubstantiation 1215; Papal auth 1302)

                        2.  Obscuring of Gospel

III.  Key People  

            A.  John Wycliffe (1329 – 1384)

                        1.  Morning Star of Reformation

                        2.  English Bible; Scripture Alone; Providence of God

            B.  John Hus (1373 – 1415)

                        1.  Scripture Alone; Providence of God

                        2.  Burned at stake