Luther, Conflict, and Christendom

The 1517 Project and World Christianity: Migration and the Uses of Doctrine

“…The Lutheran and Reformed confessions, alongside the doctrinal formulations from the Council of Trent and Catholic Counter-Reformation, each proposed a systematically coherent yet competing form of Christian belief for European Christendom. 15 These doctrinal systems shared a commitment to the Trinitarian doctrine of God and the person of Christ as established by the early church councils (and further presupposed the continued dominance of Christianity in European society). However, they diverged significantly over other crucial doctrines, including soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), the sacraments, and ecclesiology (the study of the church).…”

“…Yet central to each confession was the conviction that Christian believers formed a unified whole. 8 This period saw the fragmentation of Christianity into these three confessions, each using catechisms and confessions to formalize their beliefs, achieve political unity for their geographical region, and delineate theological and organizational structures. What is noteworthy of these catechisms and confessions is their emphasis on the intellectual belief system of their distinctive Christian tradition, which they considered universally normative for Christendom ("Christendom" is defined below).…”

“…The Catholic Counter-Reformation aimed to reassert papal authority and orthodox Catholic practices across a diverse Europe, showcasing the interplay between religious doctrines and the politics of the time. 10 Confessional identities not only clarified theological differences but also significantly influenced the political landscape of early modern Europe. It was not uncommon for theologians and civic magistrates to coordinate their efforts in confessionalization.…”

“…The Peace of Westphalia's acknowledgment of the three confessions' coexistence marked a critical recognition of religious plurality as a political reality. 11 The confessions' roles in community identity and cultural practices highlight the lasting impact of the Reformation on European society. Despite efforts to enforce doctrinal uniformity, the diversity of theological opinions and political realities made absolute uniformity elusive.…”