Reformation to the Enlightenment (1500 CE – 1800 CE)
Journey through three centuries of upheaval and renewal. From Luther's challenge in 1517 to the French Revolution, this timeline traces the Reformation, the Catholic response, and the Church's encounter with the Enlightenment.
Reformation, Counter-Reformationand Revolution
The sixteenth century shattered the religious unity of Western Christendom. In 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses; within decades, much of northern Europe had broken with Rome. England, Scotland, Scandinavia, and large parts of Germany and Switzerland embraced various forms of Protestantism.
The Catholic Church responded with vigour. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) clarified doctrine and launched comprehensive reforms. New religious orders, especially the Jesuits, spearheaded education and missions. The victory at Lepanto (1571) checked Ottoman expansion. Catholic missionaries carried the faith to the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
The eighteenth century brought new challenges as Enlightenment philosophers questioned traditional authority. Catholic monarchs suppressed the Jesuits and seized Church property. The era ended in catastrophe: the French Revolution attacked the Church with unprecedented violence, and Pope Pius VI died a prisoner of Napoleon in 1799.
At a Glance
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus Christ
John 16:33
Through Fire and Storm
The Church survived the Reformation and the Revolution, emerging renewed and ready for the challenges of the modern age. This history reminds us that Christ's promise to be with his Church endures through every trial.