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The Dark Ages of Christianity (Questions based on pp. 3-6 of Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 5 – THE 16TH-CENTURY PROTESTANT

REFORMATION)

1. Name the church institution that ruled over Christendom during the period known as “The Dark Ages of Christianity”. Cite the reasons why this period was called as such.

2. How did the writer of the article compare the situation during that period with the one described in Isaiah 50:11?

3. At the height of the papacy’s rule over Europe in the 12th to 13th century, even kings and rulers were under his control. According to the Scriptures, is the church supposed to rule over political dominions (cf. Romans 13:1-2; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-15)?

4. The last paragraph on page 3 describes how the popes led immoral lives. Looking at 1 Timothy 3:1-5 and Titus 1:6-9, what important teaching here did the Roman church disregard in setting requirements for her church leaders?


5. The practice of simony originated in Acts 8:18-19. What serious implications did this practice have on the church during the Dark Ages? (See Earle Cairns’ observation footnoted #2.)

6. Compare some Roman Catholic doctrines with the Scriptures:

a) Sacramental salvation – performing the 7 sacraments of Romanism are said to contribute to one’s salvation. What do Titus 3:5-7 and Ephesians 2:8-10 say concerning salvation?

b) Eucharist or Mass – each Mass is supposed to be a fresh sacrifice of Christ re-enacted and perpetuated through this rite. Compare this with what Christ Himself has said about His sacrifice on the cross in John 19:30; Hebrews 9:28 and Hebrews 10:10, 14.

c) Mary worship – the Roman Catholic Mary was said to have been immaculately conceived and without sin all her life (compare with Romans 3:10-12, 23); that she remained a virgin perpetually (compare with Matthew 1:24-25; Mark 6:3); and that her body was assumed into heaven without seeing death (compare with John 3:13).

d) Purgatory – is said to be an intermediate state where souls are being purged of their remaining sins before finally entering heaven. Look up Hebrews 9:27.


e) Auricular confession – it is required of every Catholic believer to confess his sins to the priest who then pronounces forgiveness. Compare with Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9 and Mark 2:7.

f) Indulgences – are forgiveness tickets sold by the Catholic Church for the remission of sins. What do these passages say – Psalm 49:7-8; Isaiah 52:3; 55:1; Acts 8:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19?

7. Review the Five Solas of the Reformation on page 6:

a) Sola Scriptura – Psalm 19:7-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:24-25

b) Solus Christus – John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5

c) Sola Gratia – Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 11:6

d) Sola Fide – Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:16; 3:26

e) Soli Deo Gloria – Isaiah 42:8; Philippians 2:11


The Forerunners of the Reformation (Questions based on pp. 7-11 of Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 5 – THE 16TH-CENTURY PROTESTANT

REFORMATION)

1. For what main reason were the Waldenses known to be “amongst the most faithful of all the dissenters in the Middle Ages”? How did this pre-Reformation group get its name?

2. Upon the advice of his priest, Peter Waldo sold everything that he had in order to give to

the poor and follow Christ. Compare Waldo’s dedication to Christ with that of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22. Does the Lord require the same of us today? Discuss.

3. How did the Albigenses get their name? By what other name was this pre-Reformation group also known?

4. The Roman church of the Dark Ages often invented charges of heresies to justify crusades and persecutions against groups and individuals that opposed her. Since the Bible does not sanction bloodshed in eliminating accused heretics, how should we deal with them (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Titus 3:10-11)?


5. Who was known as the “Morning Star of the Reformation”? Name some of his acts mentioned in columns 2 and 3 of page 9 which earned him this distinction.

6. John Wycliffe made a very important contribution to the church during his time. What was it and how was this work accomplished?

7. John Huss protested against the errors of the Roman church which caused him to be

excommunicated, exiled and eventually executed. He said something just before he was burned at the stake. What was it and how does it relate to the coming of the Protestant Reformation?


The Eve of the Reformation (Questions based on pp. 12-15 of Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 5 – THE 16TH-CENTURY PROTESTANT

REFORMATION)

1. Define “superstition”. Why are the Roman Catholic doctrines of indulgences, purgatory, church relics and Mary worship considered as superstitious beliefs?

2. Does the church have the right to dispense or sell the forgiveness of sins and the

salvation of souls (cf. Mark 2:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Acts 8:20)? 3. The Roman Catholic leaders at that time dealt harshly with people who opposed church

teachings by putting them in prison, torturing them to death, or having their properties confiscated. What factors could have led the church to wield such abusive powers? Discuss.

4. What was the “Babylonian Captivity” of the Roman Catholic Church all about and how

did it hasten the coming of the Protestant Reformation?


5. Who were being referred to as the “cursed trinity” after the Council of Pisa (1409)? Why? 6. Who convened the Council of Constance (1414-1418) and what was its threefold

purpose? 7. Can it be said that the dissolution of the Council of Basel (1431-1449) made the

Protestant Reformation inevitable? Why? 8. Explain how the following pre-Reformation factors influenced the coming of the

Protestant Reformation:

a. The Age of Humanism – b. The Invention of Printing – c. The Rise of Universities – d. The Love for Arts and Architecture –


The Major Figures of the Reformation (Questions based on pp. 16-20 of Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 5 – THE 16TH-CENTURY PROTESTANT

REFORMATION)

1. Discuss the circumstances that led Martin Luther to quit law school and join the priesthood.

2. The Protestant doctrine of justification by faith in Christ alone is anchored upon which

particular verse in the Bible that Luther read? What vital question in his life was addressed by this doctrine?

3. Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg church on 31 October 1517.

This date is not without significance since it falls on the eve of an important day in the Roman Catholic calendar. What was this day and how did it benefit Luther’s cause?

4. How did Zwingli’s opposition to indulgences result in his appointment to become the

parish priest in Zurich’s Grossmunster Church?


5. Name Zwingli’s twofold contribution to the Protestant Reformation as well as his major contribution to reformed theology, both of which are mentioned in the article.

6. Enumerate the results of Zwingli’s doctrinal efforts to the cause of the Protestant

Reformation. 7. What could be the foremost reason why John Calvin was known as “the mastermind”

and “the theologian of the Protestant church” during the Reformation? 8. Restate the definitions of the 5 points of Calvinism:

a) Total Depravity – b) Unconditional Election – c) Limited Atonement – d) Irresistible Grace – e) Preservation of the Saints –


The Bible and the Reformation (Questions based on pp. 21-24 of Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 5 – THE 16TH-CENTURY PROTESTANT

REFORMATION)

1. How did William Tyndale’s English translation of the Bible differ from that of John Wycliffe?

2. What was Tyndale’s famous reply when he was told that the people were better off

without the Bible? 3. In what way was Tyndale’s prayer “O Lord, open the King of England’s eyes” answered? 4. Why was the Great Bible of 1539 named as such?


5. What was the first complete Bible in the English language that was translated from the original Hebrew and Greek languages?

6. Which Bible was the first to have numbered verses added to it and was considered as the

first English “Study Bible”? 7. What was the role of King James I of England in the production of the KJV? Who were

those people that made up the translation committee of the KJV? 8. Discuss how the Bible in the English language made a great impact on the 16th-century

Protestant Reformation.


Preaching and the Reformation (Questions based on pp. 25-28 of Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 5 – THE 16TH-CENTURY PROTESTANT

REFORMATION)

1. How did the author of this article describe the sad plight of preaching during the years prior to the Reformation?

2. Point out the centrality of preaching the Word of God in the church’s ministry by looking

at Mark 1:38; Acts 2:40-41; 1 Corinthians 1:21 and 1 Timothy 4:1-2. 3. How was the centrality of preaching literally illustrated in the way the altars of Protestant

churches were being arranged?

4. How did Martin Luther describe the primacy of preaching God’s Word? How did he go

about applying this truth to his ministry? 5. Discuss the effects brought about by Ulrich Zwingli’s systematic preaching of God’s

Word in Zurich.


6. According to John Calvin, by what means should a church be nurtured and built up? 7. Describe how the preaching ministries of John Knox and Hugh Latimer impacted

Scotland and England respectively. 8. According to the writer of the article, why is there no substitute for preaching (cf. Titus

1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 9:16)? 9. What activities have replaced biblical preaching in churches today? What do you think is

the catalyst that is hastening the decline of biblical preaching? 10. How should pastors and preachers convey God’s messages to His people (cf. 1

Thessalonians 1:5)? According to Robert McCheyne, what must preachers and ministers believe about themselves?

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The Dark Ages of Christianity - Bible Witness Media · PDF fileGethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church Page 1 The Dark Ages of Christianity