The Counter Reformation

Response in the Western Latin (now what one would call “Roman Catholic”) Church:

Significant revival in mysticism (what we would call charismatic today) and piety (following Erasmus’s notions: WWJD?); for the average person

Clean up of corruption within the hierarchy and among the clergy
- Limit secular/political activities of the clergy
- No selling of church offices
- Opening of new and better seminaries, as well as better education for priests
- Religious were to be among the people, not separated

Purgatory
Seven Sacraments (baptism, communion, confession, confirmation, Holy Orders, matrimony, Extreme Unction)
Sola Gratia: saved by faith alone, but sanctified by works
Traditional (419A.D. Council of Hippo) Bible (with Apocrypha, Hebrews, and James)
Clergy forbidden to marry

Founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, a Spaniard wounded in war with France. While recuperating, he read Christian classics. Loved the heroic stories of the saints, especially their ability to overcome mental anguish and pain.
Author of Spiritual Exercises–mental and emotional exercises to master one’s self spiritually, especially one’s emotions. Taught that through self-discipline, could recreate one’s self and behavior.
From a historical viewpoint, blatant reaction to Protestant rejection of authority–to Protestant rebellion. Ignatius telling Catholics how to lose selves to become full members of the Church.
Jesuits–highly trained, Ph.D. required in theology and philosophy; knew martial arts (but must accept martyrdom if advances the faith)
International evangelizing was their first goal–Africa, China, and the Americas
Matteo Ricci opened China to Christianity
Heavily involved in politics (too heavily!)

Stormfields