Protestant Reformation

In the 16th century the Protestant Reformation divided the Roman Catholic


Church.   This reform was led by Martin Luther whose original intentions


were to reform the church, but resulted in a split between Protestant and


Catholic.   Soon the Protestant Church itself divided resulting in two more


churches, one Protestant, and the other reformed church.   The Reformed


Church is better known as Presbyterian, whose conspicuous leader was John


Calvin.  


John Calvin had many beliefs which had been adopted by the


Presbyterian Church.   His ideas were modified from those in the Catholic


Church.   Presbyterians do believe in the Trinity as Catholics do but


differ from Catholicism when dealing with ideas like original sin,


salvation, and the idea of penance.   Presbyterians believe that original


sin is rooted in faithlessness which brought man to fall.   The idea of


salvation to Presbyterians is that salvation is reached through the grace


of God, rooted in the deep faith of a person.   Catholics believe in


penance for sins through reconciliation.   Presbyterians believe that


penance is dealt with directly with God.   Ultimately, Presbyterians


believe that God’s truth was and is embodied in Jesus Christ, Lord, and


Savior.  


One of Calvin’s beliefs included that of which God is God of state


and nation and the state must be guided by his word.   This idea is


embodied in the idea of civil government.   The Presbyterian government was


originally formen when John Calvin was in Geneva.   In a Presbyterian form


of government there are four different officers.   There are pastors,


teachers, 12 elected elders, and deacons.   The elders are seen to be equal


to the clergy.   Through this government the Presbyterian belief in total


life of the community is displayed and put into practice.  


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