Final Paper Proposal
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Liberty University *
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Course
566
Subject
History
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by cgholl76
Final Paper Proposal Protestant Reformation HIEU566 March 27, 2022
1 I am choosing to complete my research paper on how the Protestant Reformation led to the Pilgrimage of Grace and ultimately the founding of America. The Protestant Reformation created a desire for religious freedom. Political conflicts with religious foundations caused Christians to leave Europe. It created geopolitical, social, and religious beliefs that ignited the drive to move to unsettled land in North America. Beginning in 1630 some twenty thousand Puritans moved to America in search of pure freedom of religion. This is an important topic, as it will shed light on how the Protestant Reformation began a journey that led to modern democracy and capitalism. The Protestant Reformation also prompted a passion for learning and literacy increased amongst Christians. As religious freedoms became a forefront in society, so did civil rights. A possible thesis statem
ent would be that Martin Luther’s teaching of Christianity can be credited with the founding of America as we know it. Luther’s teachings, beginning with his 95 Theses in 1517, stoked the fire that was lit by previous Christians, John Wyclif, Jan Hus, and Thomas a Kempis. Beginning in the 14
th
century, the idea that God’s word was the only true word was presented by Wyclif, who also felt the Bible should be available to all in a language that could be understood. Hus challenged the Catholic church and was tried and executed for his position, and Kempis attempted to begin a grassroots type of Christian, by encouraging inward thoughts, rejecting Aristotle’s teachings, and encouraging a focus on the sufferings of Christ. Kempis’ started a following, but it
was Luther who created the storm. When Luther wrote his Theses, the Reformation that began in the 14
th
century took hold and grew. His interest in his writing was further helped by the Gutenberg Printing Press, which allowed his works to be distributed throughout Germany. What came from that was an awakening of Christians that caused fractions in the Catholic Church, divisions amongst Christians, and the Thirty Years War
2 that ended with the Treaty of Westphalia. A hundred years after Luther’s writings
, Christians were still being punished for worshipping outside of the Catholic church. It was Luther’
s unintentional movement that encouraged them to find a better way. Europeans began leaving their homeland in pursuit of religious freedoms. The founders of America had discovered the freedoms to worship God as they desired, and it was Martin Luther’s teachings that paved the way for that. My research will begin with a focus on works by Wyclif and Kempis. Wyclif’s On The Truth of Holy Scripture began what would be the reformation by exposing people to the idea that God’s word was the one truth, and that it should be read by everyone, as intended by God. Kempis wrote The Imitation of Christ
in the 1420’s, which brought the idea that one needed to look inside of themselves when following Christ. His book was printed in multiple languages and is considered to be a principle book in Western tradition. Kempis’ work influenced other religious leaders as it made its way throughout Europe. As a woman, I will briefly highlight the courageous efforts of Marguerite de Navarre, who was a woman that bravely spoke of God, and had the courage to put her beliefs on paper with her book The Mirror of the Sinful Soul
. 95 Theses will be included in my research due to its huge impact on the courage his followers found when they sought to find a better life. Protestant Empire Religion and the Making of the British Atlantic World
by Carla Gardina Pestana is a work that explores how the Reformation pushed for the expansion westward for a better life. Pestana uses her work to highlight the struggles that occurred after the discovery of America by explaining the struggles of old and new traditions trying to find their way together in a new land. Celebrating the Legacy of Reformation
gives a closer look into different perspectives of the Reformation and the effects it had on other religious leaders, theologians, and Christians. I intend on looking at the Constitution, the Revolutionary
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3 War, and other aspects of the growing pains America endured as it learned how to prosper with so many views on Christianity. Luther’s teachings along with the new art of reading the Bible in the home brought so many aspects to worship and beliefs. Religious freedom was one of them and in finding America, America had to learn how to become one church again.