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The Council of Trent was an ecumenical council of the Catholic Church held in the 16th century in

response to the Protestant Reformation. The council made several important decisions concerning
Catholic doctrine and practice, including issues related to justification and the sacrament of communion.
These decisions had significant implications for the differences between Catholics and Lutherans on
these topics.

a) Justification:

The Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church have historically held different views on the doctrine of
justification, which refers to the process by which a person is made right with God. At the Council of
Trent, the Catholic Church reaffirmed its traditional teaching that justification is a process that begins
with the grace of God, which is received through faith, and is then followed by good works that
cooperate with that grace. The council also affirmed that justification is not a one-time event but a
lifelong process of growth in grace and holiness.

In contrast, Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran Church, taught that justification is a one-time
event that occurs at the moment of faith, and that good works are a result of, but not necessary for,
justification. Luther believed that human beings are justified by faith alone, apart from any good works,
and that this faith is a gift from God that cannot be earned or merited. This teaching is known as "sola
fide," or "faith alone."

b) The Sacrament of Communion:

The Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church also have different views on the sacrament of communion,
which is the rite of sharing bread and wine that represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ. At the
Council of Trent, the Catholic Church reaffirmed its teaching that the bread and wine used in the
sacrament of communion are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ through a process
called transubstantiation. The council also affirmed that the sacrament of communion is a sacrifice, a
memorial, and a sacrament of unity.

In contrast, Martin Luther taught that the bread and wine in the sacrament of communion remain bread
and wine, but that they are also the body and blood of Jesus Christ "in, with, and under" the bread and
wine. Luther believed that the sacrament of communion is a means of receiving the forgiveness of sins
and strengthening faith, and he emphasized the importance of frequent communion.
Overall, the decisions of the Council of Trent helped to solidify the differences between Catholics and
Lutherans on the topics of justification and the sacrament of communion. While both traditions affirm
the centrality of faith in the Christian life, they differ in their understanding of the relationship between
faith and good works, as well as in their beliefs about the nature and significance of the sacrament of
communion.

2.

Lutheran Pietism was a movement within Lutheranism that emerged in the late 17th century, primarily
in Germany. It emphasized the importance of personal piety, Bible study, and the experience of faith in
everyday life. The movement also placed greater emphasis on the need for a personal conversion
experience and a life of holiness. Herrnhutism, on the other hand, was a specific branch of Lutheran
Pietism that emerged in the early 18th century and was based in the community of Herrnhut in Saxony,
Germany.

One of the most important figures in the development of Pietism was Philipp Jakob Spener, a Lutheran
theologian who published a work titled "Pia Desideria" in 1675. In this work, Spener called for a revival
of personal piety and a reform of the church. He emphasized the importance of Bible study, small group
meetings, and the development of a personal relationship with God.

Another important figure in the development of Pietism was August Hermann Francke, who founded the
University of Halle in 1694. Francke emphasized the importance of practical piety and social activism,
and established a range of charitable institutions to help the poor and needy.

Herrnhutism, also known as the 'Moravian Church', emerged in the 18th century as a Pietist movement
within the Lutheran Church. The movement was founded by a group of Bohemian Brethren who sought
refuge on the estate of Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf in Herrnhut, Saxony. The movement emphasized
the importance of personal piety and communal living, and developed a unique form of church
organization that was based on the idea of the "choir system," in which members were organized into
small groups based on age and gender. Herrnhutism emphasized the need for a personal and emotional
experience of faith, and this led to the development of new forms of worship, such as hymn-singing and
prayer meetings. Herrnhutism also placed a strong emphasis on Christian unity, and its leaders sought to
bring together Christians from different denominations.

Both Lutheran Pietism and Herrnhutism represented a departure from older forms of Lutheranism,
which had tended to emphasize the importance of adherence to church rituals and doctrine. These
movements placed greater emphasis on individual experience and spiritual renewal. This created some
tension within the Lutheran Church. Some members of the church saw these movements as a departure
from traditional Lutheran teachings and a threat to the unity of the church. There were debates over the
role of the church in society, the importance of ritual and tradition, and the interpretation of scripture.

In Sweden, the Pietist and Herrnhut movements had a significant impact in the 18th and 19th centuries.
One specific example is the "New Awakening" or "Haugeanism" movement, which was based on the
teachings of Hans Nielsen Hauge, a Norwegian Lutheran lay preacher. The movement emphasized the
need for a personal conversion experience and a life of practical piety, and it led to the establishment of
new churches and mission work both in Norway and in Sweden.

Another example is the "Læstadian" movement, which began in the 19th century and was based on the
teachings of Lars Levi Læstadius, a Swedish Lutheran priest. This movement emphasized the importance
of personal piety, Bible study, and the need for a personal conversion experience. It also emphasized the
importance of living a holy life, and its leaders taught that Christians must avoid sinful behaviors and
practices.

Both Pietism and Herrnhutism had a significant impact on the development of religious life in Germany
and Sweden. In Germany, these movements led to the formation of new religious groups and the
establishment of institutions that focused on practical piety and social activism. In Sweden, Pietism and
Herrnhutism led to the formation of new denominations, such as the Mission Covenant Church of
Sweden and the Swedish Evangelical Free Church, which emphasized personal piety and evangelism.

Overall, the rise of Lutheran Pietism and Herrnhutism in Germany and their subsequent spread to
Sweden represented a significant departure from older forms of Lutheranism. These movements
emphasized the importance of personal experience, spiritual renewal, and practical piety, and they had a
significant impact on the development of new churches and mission work in Sweden.
Pietism and Revivalism had a significant impact on contemporary social and church life development in
Sweden. These movements emphasized the need for personal piety and conversion, and encouraged
Christians to take an active role in their faith. Pietism emphasized a personal and emotional experience
of faith, while Revivalism focused on mass evangelism and conversion.

One example of the impact of Pietism and Revivalism in Sweden is the "New Awakening" movement that
emerged in the early 19th century. This movement was based on the teachings of Hans Nielsen Hauge, a
Norwegian Lutheran lay preacher, and emphasized the need for personal conversion and practical piety.
The movement had a significant impact on the development of new churches and mission work in
Sweden, as well as the establishment of religious schools and the formation of voluntary organizations.
This movement also led to the formation of new denominations, such as the Mission Covenant Church of
Sweden, which continues to have a significant presence in Swedish religious life.

Another example of the impact of Revivalism on social and church life in Sweden is the temperance
movement. In the mid-19th century, the Revivalist movement played a significant role in the
development of the temperance movement, which aimed to reduce alcohol consumption and promote
sobriety. The temperance movement was supported by the church and was also influenced by Pietist
ideas about the importance of personal responsibility and the need to avoid sinful behavior.

However, the impact of Pietism and Revivalism was not without tension. Some members of the church
saw the emphasis on personal experience and practical piety as a departure from traditional Lutheran
teachings. There was tension between Lutheran orthodoxy and Pietist ideas, which was reflected in
debates over the role of the church in society, the importance of ritual and tradition, and the
interpretation of scripture.

Two laws/ordinances that affected the framework for contemporary religious practice in Sweden include
the Church Ordinance of 1686 and the Separation of Church and State Act of 2000. The Church
Ordinance of 1686 established the structure and governance of the Church of Sweden and defined its
relationship to the state. It also outlined the duties and responsibilities of clergy and set rules for church
ceremonies and worship. The Separation of Church and State Act of 2000 separated the Church of
Sweden from the state and established it as an independent organization. This law gave the church more
freedom to govern its own affairs and to define its own mission and purpose.
In summary, Pietism and Revivalism had a significant impact on social and church life in Sweden. The
movements emphasized personal piety and conversion, and led to the formation of new churches and
religious organizations. However, there was tension between Lutheran orthodoxy and Pietist ideas,
which was reflected in debates over the role of the church in society, the importance of ritual and
tradition, and the interpretation of scripture. The Church Ordinance of 1686 and the Separation of
Church and State Act of 2000 were two laws/ordinances that affected the framework for contemporary
religious practice in Sweden, and continue to shape the role of the church in Swedish society.

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