Erneuerung und Abgrenzung

Die Reformation als Öffnungs- und Schließungsgeschehen

Abstract

The Reformation has often been understood as a way of freedom. Processes of exclusion, e. g. against the Anabaptists at the time of the Reformation contradict this understanding. Luther saw the Reformation as a liberation from ecclesiastical principles of exclusion and as a liberation of the Gospel through making the bible accessible to all. This resulted in a diversity of doctrinal views, against which Luther reacted by excluding differing opinions. For this and for political reasons the Anabaptists were persecuted. The Reformation has remained incomplete in so far as it effectuated a splitting-up of Protestantism as well as binding itself to the secular world, which has remained until today. For thinkers who are contemplating a new alignment and purpose for the protestant church, conversations with the Baptists and other free churches are important.