Problems of Authority in the Reformation Debates

Description

During the Reformation period many of the fiercest debates centered on the nature of authority. These covered every aspect of Christian faith and life. The authority of scripture; the authority on which disputed points of faith and order could be decided; the authorizing of ministry in the Church; the efficacy of the sacraments, were all contested. Such issues are shown by the author of this study to remain ecumenically significant, both because it proved impossible at the time to resolve them to everyone's satisfaction, and because they continued to represent the focus of mutual hostility among the separated churches.

"Athough this book represents something of a departure from Evans' earlier works, which focused primarily on medieval thought, readers familiar with her writings will recognize the mastery of sources, finely-honed analysis, and engaging prose that we have come to expect from Evans." Glenn S. Sunshine, Sixteenth Century Journal "Evans' mastery and sophisticated handling of the sources, her expertise in the medieval context, and her effort to make sense of the sixteenth-century conflicts by a sympathetic 'intellectual fellowship' with the combatants, results in a finely-tuned historical study in which the ecumenical implications are suggested with delicacy and moderation...For Reformation scholars committed to ecumenical dialogue, Evans has produced a thesis that will stimulate reflection and discussion." Craig S. Farmer, Pro Ecclesia