Reformlinien

Reformlinien refers to a historical concept within the Protestant Reformation, primarily associated with Martin Luther and his early followers. It signifies the fundamental theological principles and doctrines that reformers advocated for in contrast to the established teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. These lines of reform encompassed several key areas.

Central to reformlinien was the doctrine of sola scriptura, meaning that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice, superseding papal pronouncements or church traditions. Another crucial tenet was sola fide, the belief that salvation is achieved through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not through good works or sacraments administered by the church. The reformers also emphasized the priesthood of all believers, asserting that all baptized Christians have direct access to God without the need for an ordained clergy as intermediaries.

Further reformlinien included critiques of certain Catholic practices such as the sale of indulgences, the veneration of saints and relics, and the doctrine of transubstantiation. The reformers sought to simplify worship, translate the Bible into vernacular languages, and reform church governance. The term reformlinien thus encapsulates the core theological and practical shifts that characterized the Protestant Reformation and continue to define various Protestant denominations today.