Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

Ses s i on 2: The Med i eva l Chur ch and the Reformat i on 55

C. Protestantism’s gaining ground and yet also going underground

1. The Reformation carried great political consequences, even led to a secularization of the state, and a further politicization of religion in European states.

2. Lutheran Protestantism made significant headway in select European states: Germany, England, and Scotland.

3. Reformed Calvinism gained ground in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France.

4. Roman Catholicism solidified its positions in Spain, Italy, and Poland.

D. Excursus: The family tree of world Protestantism

W. David Buschart, Exploring Protestant Traditions: An Invitation to Theological Hospitality . Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2006. Main taproot: magisterial reformers and the radical reformation movements (Luther, Zwingli and Calvin, radical Reformers [e.g., Menno Simons], and English reformers)

1. Lutheran tradition: gives expression to Lutheran community offshoots

2. Reformed tradition: gives expression to Reformed community offshoots

3. Baptist tradition: formed through combination of influences of Reformed , Anabaptist , and Anglican offshoots