Roots of the Reformation

by Karl Adam

As a faithful Catholic, Karl Adam gives a historically-sensitive and accurate analysis of the causes of the Reformation, one that stands as a valid and sometimes unsettling challenge to the presuppositions of Protestants and Catholics alike.

Genres: History, Religion, Faith, Catholic, Theology, Christian, Christianity

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 1951

About the author

Karl Borromäus Adam was a German Catholic theologian of the early 20th century.

Adam was born in Bavaria in 1876. He attended the Philosophical and Theological Seminary at Regensburg and was ordained in 1900. Adam spent the next two years doing parish work. Adam received his doctorate at the University of Munich in 1904.

In 1915, he became a professor of theology in Munich. Two years later, he accepted a chair in moral theology at Strasbourg and in 1919 he went to teach dogmatic theology at the University of Tübingen. He retired from that post in 1949.

Adam wrote extensively on theology. His books include: Tertullian's Concept of the Church, Eucharistic Teaching of St. Augustine, Christ Our Brother, The Son of God, The Spirit of Catholicism, Roots of the Reformation and One And Holy.

Adam is best known for his 1924 work, The Spirit of Catholicism. It has been widely translated, and is still in print today. In The Spirit Of Catholicism, Adam communicates with the laity about the Catholic faith and the Church's role as the keeper of the faith.

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look at what lead up to and the start of the Protestant Reformation. It reminds me of Dicken's famous opening line "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The situation of the Church at that time could boast of various saints, reform movements, the writing of "The Imitations of Christ", wide availability of devotional materials. But also extremely worldly and corrupt clergy, religious life, along with its echo among the laity. The situation in Germany was already in turmoil in regards to the Church where things like a 20 year interdict had occurred.

The book lays this all out and the numerous self-inflicted wounds of the Church following the various schism and scandalous personal behaviors of some popes.

It mostly concentrates on Martin Luther and provides an interesting biographical sketch of the man who was a barefoot Augustinian monk. How his personal fears regarding salvation and his narrow Occamist view of Church teaching helped to create a perfect storm of reform turned to revolt. Luther could have been a second Boniface, but instead became another Judas. It really is quite interesting how he came to rail against what he thought the Church taught instead of realizing he was looking at it via the distorted lens of the philosophy of William of Occam. There were real abuses and need of reform, instead the split led to an individualism that exists to this day. Sola Scriptura and private interpretation ends of not getting rid of the pope, but making everyman his own pope.

Though this book is not a polemic against Luther and acknowledges his creative brilliance, while also showing where he went wrong.

[Danny Proffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the Catholic perspective on where reformation went wrong

To be transparent, I am a protestant interested in the catholic perspective of the reformation. This short book does a fairly good job at conveying where they felt Martin Luther went wrong. Karl agrees with Martin Luther that the church needed reform in that time. They eventually got around to implementing many of Martin Luther objections and brought up Martin Luther's internal struggles, trying to live righteously, and fearing falling into sin. That lead him to his core doctrine of justification by faith. His tension continued to escalate to the point that Martin Luther broke away from the church. He declared solely that scriptures have a key proclamation of the faith and Also a brief history of other Lutheran theologies that moved the Lutheran denomination further from Catholic practices., such as sacraments. Karl attempted to defend the catholic church's position as the true universal church passed down from church father, who received the faith directly from the disciples. It's the continued debate between oral tradition or solely scripture. Of course the position of the pope, begins with Peter, with the Scripture reference of Matthew chapter 16 verse 18. Personally, I don't believe the arguments brought forth in favor of the Catholic doctrine will sway protestants. . The continued denomination splits are valid. Yes I recommend this book. Part of reading is to open yourself up to different views, not become trapped in an echo chamber.

[Andrew Silagi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throughout almost my entire life, and even though I’ve never belonged to their church, Roman Catholicism has been pretty much ubiquitous. Since first grade, I can’t think of a time when I didn’t have a close friend or acquaintance who meaningfully engaged my belief system with the Roman Catholic (RC) distinctions. This book was given to me the priest at my college, and I didn’t pick it up until now. It’s a fairly simple assessment of the abuses that led to the Reformation and the unique mind of Luther. Adam’s lack of definition of terms and specificity sometimes left me confused and led to his arguments coming up short, particularly in his examinations of Luther’s doctrine of justification (without mention of sanctification or post-justification good works!) and later Lutheran teachings on the Blessed Virgin and private confession. I want to examine a couple of interesting points that proved thought-provoking though.

First, Adam claims that it was Luther’s subjective experience of fear of damnation and misunderstanding of the RC doctrine of salvation that led to his teachings. He accuses Luther of taking “‘his own highly personal convictions…perhaps valid for himself personally, and [making] them into a binding requirement for all’” (43). I’m not sure I agree with this statement, but it is interesting for sure. How many Roman Catholics today would say definitively that they fear for their salvation and have no certainty that they will be in Christ on the Last Day? A Reformed seminarian friend of mine recalled a conversation with a RC bishop who plainly stated that he wasn’t sure where he’d end up. Chilling.

Second, Adam rightly discusses the papacy as the crux of the RC faith. If the papacy is false, one can still get sacred tradition in Eastern or Oriental Orthodoxy or the Assyrian Church of the East, the real presence and baptismal regeneration in Lutheranism, apostolic succession by bishops in Anglicanism, etc. The papacy is truly on what Rome stands or falls. And it all comes down to one’s interpretation of Matthew 16:18-19.

In the epilogue, Kenneth J. Howell both boldly proclaims that Church unity must only come through reunion with Rome but also humbly admits that Rome has to be the one to admit its past faults and start the conversation. I’m grateful that the state of Western society has brought Christians of many oft-opposed traditions together, and I continue to pray for the unity of the Church, as Christ does. I’m not sure I’ll ever join Rome as it is right now, but I do yearn for institutional unity in Christ’s bride by God’s grace. Thy will be done. Come, Lord Jesus.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Very helpful.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Adam presents clearly written and very informative work. He undertook this in an effort to support the movement in Germany to reunite the Lutheran and Catholic denominations. He presents lessons for both denominations.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam's gives a fair and well thought out explanation of the historical background and thoughts of reformers and counter-reformers of the most turbulent time in Church history from the times of the Church's youth.

[Chad Torgerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tough read for a short book, but good information.

[Candace Simar · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is highly informative. I didn't know the history of the reformation. If you have questions, as i did, you should read this book!