Corrections/Suggestions: E-Mail | delete "[NOSPAM]"
[Brian's Comment] If you launch right into the Wikipedia, NewAdvent, and Encarta material (the next few links), you might end up wondering what the heck are these things called "diets" (as in "the Diet of Worms") -- I know I did! The following link should help. This version of diet has nothing to do with food intake.
The philosophical school that followed in the legacy of St. Thomas Aquinas and led to the canonization of the original dogma of the Roman Catholic Church. Some researchers believe that this -- even more than indulgences and other activities -- fueled Martin Luther's quest for reformation of the Church.
[index]
Wikipedia entry that outlines the history of Christianity and provides links to relevant topics.
[index]
The History of the Reformation, Martin Luther:
A modern revision of that classic work Merle D'Aubigne's HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION published in 1835.
The Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, known as the 95 Theses, challenged the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church on the nature of penance, the authority of the pope and the usefulness of indulgences. They sparked a theological debate that would result in the birth of the Lutheran, Reformed, and Anabaptist traditions within Christianity. Traditionally, Luther is said to have posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517.
[from the Introductory paragraph] "This Reformation Guide is intended to provide easy access to the wealth of Internet information available on the reformation period. The links to the original web sites have been preserved so that users may access the most recent developments."
[index]
Protestantism - Wikipeida entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism
Protestantism - Catholic Encyclopedia entry:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12495a.htmThis is an interesting view of Protestant history. I was surprised at how even-handed the entry actually is. And there are a fair number of thought-provoking ideas here, such as:
How can a theology be based on a document (the Bible) that did not exist for the earliest of the religion's practitioners? Would you not also need the traditions and teachings that were passed orally?
Of course, the Catholic Church considers that they are indeed the recipients of this Apostolic tradition.
Protestantism - MSN Encarta Entry
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555703/Protestantism.html
Brief History of Protestantism
http://prayerfoundation.org/brief_history_protestant_monasticism.htm
Divisions within Protestant Christianity
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_divi.htm
[index]