The Council of Trent The Roman Catholic Church Response to the Protestant Demand for Reformation of the Church (1545-1563)

SUMMARY EVALUATION OF THE COUNCIL


What evaluation can be given to the Council of Trent after eighteen years of meeting?
First, and foremost, it rejected the Protestant Reformation. 


While the initial impetus for the Reformation was the Indulgence Controversy, it quickly became apparent that the Reformers desired a thorough doctrinal reformation of the Church. 

They put forth the five great themes of sola scriptura, sola fide, solus Christus, sola gratia, and soli Deo Gloria. 



These five phrases encapsulate the Gospel: salvation is revealed in the Scriptures alone, purchased by Christ alone, received by faith alone, offered by grace alone, and is to the glory of God alone. This understanding of the Gospel was rejected by Rome. 



In its place was substituted a Gospel that was provided by the Church alone, mediated by the sacraments alone, and based on the authority of an enlarged canon: Scripture and tradition. 


What was lost at the Council of Trent was the Gospel of grace itself. No matter how the canons were framed, it made the individual dependent upon the Church for the knowledge and receiving of the Gospel that he so desperately needed.



When it came to the practical matters of clerical and moral abuse, the Church made an attempt to root out the most grievous breaches.


 However, these were the surface manifestations of the much deeper theological differences that needed to be resolved. The Reformers were convinced that the moral problems of the Church were a result of false teaching. 


Rome rejected that analysis by reaffirming their doctrinal stance.
The Council also increased the power of the Papacy over the Church. 


While the theory of Conciliarism failed in not giving the Scriptures the supreme authority in the Church, the movement, nevertheless, sought to implement the principle that there is wisdom in a number of counselors. 


Through the various maneuverings, the Popes determined that such a situation would never take place.


Power was now officially concentrated in a single person who alone had the authority to determine the answers. 



In declaring the Pope of Rome to be the Vicar of Christ on earth, the Council of Trent has officially given to the Bishop of Rome authority that the Scriptures teach is to be held exclusively by the Lord Jesus Christ.