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Abstract

The Roman Catholic Church prevailed in religious dominion, their position allowed them to funnel the information of Scripture to the populace. The Roman Catholic Church’s doctrine of Scripture became generally accepted, and unquestionable without punishment. Considering these events, the Reformers Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli developed their own doctrine regarding Scripture contrary to the general belief of their day. Luther, Calvin and Zwingli all shared common views which enabled the reformation. The priesthood of all Christians, justification by faith alone, and ultimate authority of Scripture were the core message behind the reformers’ theology. The reformers believed that doctrine without Scriptural support was heresy, and against the teachings of Jesus Christ. They denounced referencing Scriptural for support non-biblical doctrine such as indulgences, baptism, merit, repentance, sacraments, communion, repentance, intercessory prayer to saints, and celibacy of priests. However, while sharing common beliefs and enemies, their own personal influences and education separated them from one another as they developed their own personalized style of theology. Luther a devout monk attempting to right wrongs of the church, still held to Roman doctrine, for he argued only against doctrine that did not coincide with Scripture. Calvin like Luther held to many Roman doctrines, though both broke from the church their theology and doctrine were still influenced by their Catholic past. Zwingli was educated by Erasmus and held to principles of a humanist. Zwingli through his educator developed a “logical” view of Christianity, where ever a doctrine was not logically coherent with Scripture then it should be rejected. Thus, within their own unique views of Scripture three individual aspects on doctrines arose from the reformation, which plays a crucial role in the rift between modern denominations.

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