Working Title: Historical Approach in The Unintended Reformation

Working Title: Historical Approach in The Unintended Reformation

1. Introduction
2. Primary Source: Gregory, Brad S. The Unintended Reformation: How a Religious Revolution Secularized Society. US: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2012.
3. Topic Primary Source Addresses:

Dr. Brad Gregory, a history professor at the University of Notre Dame, wrote “The       Unintended Reformation” on how the religious revolution during the reformation period         was the source of today’s secular world.

1. Thesis:

Gregory uses history and polemic to trace the connection between today’s secular world           and the reformation period, where religion underpinned morality and politics in the west (Keymer 1). It is for this reason, that this research analyses the theme of history, as it shaped the western religion and its links to today’s modern religion and society.

1. Body:
2. Topic Sentence:

The protestant reformation period is essential in the creation of historical events that have shaped the western world.

1. Elaboration:

Luther, Calvin and other reformers have made major contributions to the reforms in politics, social, cultural, economic and ideology of the church but also the western world (Dixon 204). The author presents today’s religion as a personal preference, which is in contrast to the reformation’s religion, which was revered, held as truth, and which influenced a hyper-pluralism rule (Escalante 2).

1. Analysis:

Brad Gregory presents the link between the reformation and contemporary worlds, through a genealogical approach. In this approach, the reformation is the root of every aspect of modern life (Griffin 1). This is evident in the introduction of the novel, where He states that,

“What Transpired five centuries ago continues today profoundly to influence the lives of everyone not only in Europe and North America but all around the world, whether or not      they are Christians or indeed religious believers of any kind” (Gregory 1).

1. Contextual Material:

The reformation era breached authority and created a reservoir of dislike enough to create and sustain the secularization, liberationist, and antireligious ideology that is pervasive in the modern to the present world (Gregory 1). Therefore, the author uses history to show how the traditional Christianity is the primary source of ideas and practices in life and today’s religion.

III. Conclusion

1. Through history and polemic of the genealogical approach, Gregory Brad has shown the link between the reformation era, and today’s secularization.
2. Summary: the reformation era and a breach of authority by the reformers created reforms in social, political, economic, cultural, and ideology of the church and which is the source of the today’s secular world.
3. This research finds that there is ample evidence to support the theory that current ideologies have their roots in the reformation ideologies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Dixon, Scott C. Contesting the Past: Contesting the Reformation. Wiley-Blackwell Publications, 2012. 204.

Escalante, Peter. “The Unintended Concession: Carl Trueman’s Response to THE UNINTENDED REFORMATION.” The Calvinist International: A Forum of Reformed Irenicism, Calvinist International, 5 May. 2012. http://calvinistinternational.com/2012/04/05/unintended-concession/. 23 Oct 2012.

Gregory, Brad S. “Reformation Debates.” First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion & Public Life, 10475141, October. 2012.

Gregory, Brad S. The Unintended Reformation: How a Religious Revolution Secularized Society. US: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2012. Print.

Griffin, Dorothy G. “The Unintended Reformation: How a Religious Revolution Secularized Society.” Publishers Weekly, Academic Search Premier 00000019 258.46 (2012).

Keymer, David. “The Unintended Reformation: How a Religious Revolution Secularized Society.” Library Journal, Academic Search Premier, 03630277 136.19 (2011).