What did medieval theologians think about a diversity of theological ideas on the eve of the Reformation? In this episode, we will explore the phenomenon of theological pluralism on the eve of the Reformation. We argue that tradition, the authority of the Church Fathers, the Scriptures and a common ecclesiological confidence in the Catholic Church provided theologians unity amidst vast disagreement about theological particulars. We show that Luther’s desire to simplify theology paradoxically worked to render theology more complex and divided than ever. As a direct result of Luther’s appeal to sola scriptura, Christian theology has never been the same. Instead of solving theological diversity and pluralism, Luther’s sola scriptura has created an uncontrollable pluralism within Christianity such that it is virtually impossible to reach a consensus on some of the most important theological and moral questions that face Christian theologians today.
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Previous Episodes
- The Canon of Scripture as an Unacknowledged Debt to Catholic Christianity - CHS 181
- The Problem of Competing Canons through Church History - CHS 180
- The (In)fallibility of the Protestant Canon and Communities - CHS 179
- Were the Books of Scripture Necessary for Every Age of Salvation History?
- Deuterocanonical Reception 13Lufs
- The Claims to Inspiration and the Deuterocanonical Books - CHS 176
- Providence and Protestant Canon pt 2 - How Were the Deuterocanonical Received? - CHS 175
- Providence and the Protestant Canon of Scripture pt 1 - CHS 174
- What Does the Term Deuterocanonical Mean? - CHs 173
- Bonus: Council of Rome 381 - CHS 172
- The Council of Rome and the Canon of Scripture - CHS 172
- Canon Law and the Canon of Scripture in Early Christianity - CHS 171
- What Was Augustine's Influence over the Canon in N. Africa? - CHS 170
- Early Christian Structures of the Authority and the Closing of the Canon of Scripture - CHS 169
- Why Did It Take so Long to Create the Canon of Scripture? - CHS 168
- What Does the History of Canon of Scripture Teach Us about Evaluating Competing Christian Truth Claims? – CHS 167
- Why Is Tradition Central to Catholic Thinking? – CHS 166
- Why Do Catholics Believe in the Church’s Authority? - CHS 165
- When did Augustine Think the Canon of Scripture Was Closed? - Canon of Scripture - CHS 164
- What Was the Catechetical School of Alexandria? - Second Century Christianity Series - CHS 163
- What is Variant Reading of the Biblical Text? - CHS 162
- Ignatius of Antioch - Life and Writings - Second-Century Christianity - CHS 161
- The Challenge of Ecumenism - CHS 160
- Why Did the Council of Trent Take Place? - Council of Trent Series - CHS 159
- Videos and Various Types of Context - Media Literacy - CHS 158
- Videos and Various Types of Context - Media Literacy - CHS 158
- Gnostic Interpretations of Bible - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 157
- Gnostic Interpretations of the Bible - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 157
- Three Ways to Help Next Generation Keep the Faith pt 3 Faith Formation - CHS 156
- Three Ways to Help Next Generation Keep the Faith pt 3 Faith Formation - CHS 156
- Three Ways to Help Next Generation Keep the Faith pt 2 - Living a Good Christian Life - CHS 155
- Three Ways to Help Next Generation Keep the Faith pt 2 - Living a Good Christian Life - CHS 155
- Three Ways to Help Next Generation Keep the Faith - pt 1 Prayer - CHS 154
- Three Ways to Help Next Generation Keep the Faith - pt 1 Prayer - CHS 154
- Who Was Polycarp? Second-Century Christianity
- Who Was Polycarp? Second-Century Christianity - CHS 153
- Historical Examples of Suspending Church Operations - CHS 152
- Historical Examples of Suspending Church Operations - CHS 152
- Historical Precedents for Cancelling Mass - CHS 151
- Historical Precedents for Cancelling Mass - CHS 151
- Balancing Tensions - Catholic Approaches to the Bible
- Balancing Tensions - Catholic Approaches to the Bible - CHS 150
- CHI - How Was the Canon Determined - Canon Basics Extended Discussion
- Who Were the Apologists? Second-Century Christianity
- Who Were the Apologists? Second-Century Christianity - CHS 149
- What is Textual Criticism? How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 148
- What is Textual Criticism? How to Study the Catholic Heritage
- Is a Correct Interpretation of the Bible Possible? - Catholic Approaches to the Bible - CHS147
- Is a Correct Interpretation of the Bible Possible? - Catholic Approaches to the Bible - CHS147
- The Analogy of Faith - Catholic Approaches to the Study of the Bible - CHS 147
- The Analogy of Faith - Catholic Approaches to the Study of the Bible - CHS 147
- The Mass Deception of Faithful - The Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis -CHS 145
- The Mass Deception of the Faithful - The Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis -CHS 145
- Understanding the History of Biblical Interpretation - Why Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 144
- Understanding the History of Biblical Interpretation - Why Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 144
- The Doers of the Law Will be Justified - Forgotten Statements in Paul's Epistles - CHS 143
- The Doers of the Law Will be Justified - Forgotten Statements in Paul's Epistles - CHS 143
- Take Time to Read the Council of Trent - Council of Trent Series - CHS 142
- Take Time to Read the Council of Trent - Council of Trent Series - CHS 142
- What is a Critical Edition? - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series -CHS 141
- What is a Critical Edition? - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series -CHS 141
- Atlas of Christian History - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 140
- Atlas of Christian History - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 140
- Dating the Muratorian Canon - Canon of Scripture - CHS 139
- Dating the Muratorian Canon - Canon of Scripture - CHS 139
- Thomas Aquinas Summa - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage -CHS 138
- Thomas Aquinas Summa - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage -CHS 138
- Who Was Marcion? - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 137
- Who Was Marcion? - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 137
- Overcoming the Limited Presentations of Others - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 136
- Overcoming the Limited Presentations of Others - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 136
- Recognizing Past Networks - How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 135
- Recognizing Past Networks - How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 135
- Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage -CHS 134
- Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage -CHS 134
- Martin Luther and Zwingli on the Eucharist and Salvation - Protestant Agreements and Differences - CHS 133
- Martin Luther and Zwingli on the Eucharist and Salvation - Protestant Agreements and Differences - CHS 133
- Ask for Primary Sources - How to Address Historical Objections to Christianity - CHS 132
- Ask for Primary Sources - How to Address Historical Objections to Christianity - CHS 132
- Melito of Sardis: An Intro to His Life and Writings - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 131
- Melito of Sardis: An Intro to His Life and Writings - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 131
- Vatican II Documents - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 130
- Vatican II Documents - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 130
- Does Pope Francis Believe in Hell's Existence? - CHS 129
- Does Pope Francis Believe in Hell's Existence? - CHS 129
- Identify the Sources of Authors - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series -CHS 128
- Identify the Sources of Authors - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series -CHS 128
- Challenges to Second Century Christianity - Second Century Christianity Series - CHS 127
- Challenges to Second-Century Christianity - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 127
- Why Did Trent Use the Language of Anathema? Council of Trent Series - CHS 126
- Why Did Trent Use the Language of Anathema? Council of Trent Series - CHS 126
- What do We Mean by the "Life Questions?" - CHS 125
- What do We Mean by the "Life Questions?" - CHS 125
- Were Early Christians Persecuted? Martyrdom Series - CHS 124
- Were Early Christians Persecuted? Martyrdom Series - CHS 124
- The Mistrust of Catholic Bishops en Masse - The Gnostic Character of Recent Critiques of Francis - CHS 123
- The Mistrust of Catholic Bishops en Masse - The Gnostic Character of Recent Critiques of Francis - CHS 123
- Fathers of the Church Series - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS-122
- Fathers of the Church Series - Tools of the Study of the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS-122
- John Wesley on Justification through Baptism - Protestant Agreements and Differences Series - CHS 121
- John Wesley on Justification through Baptism - Protestant Agreements and Differences Series - CHS 121
- Don't Fall through the Cracks! Why Study Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 120
- Don't Fall through the Cracks! Why Study Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 120
- Keep Asking Questions - How to Study Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 119
- Keep Asking Questions - How to Study Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 119
- Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Document - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 118
- Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 118
- The Relationship between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Era - CHS 117
- The Relationship between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Era - CHS 117
- What is a Secondary Source? How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 116
- What is a Secondary Source? How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 116
- Social Media and the Study of the Catholic Heritage_CHS ae 002
- How Unique Was Augustine in Resolving Conflicting Canonical Lists - CHSae 04
- How Unique Was Augustine in Resolving Conflicting Canonical Lists - CHSae 04
- How did Aquinas Study the Bible? pt 2 - CHS 115
- How did Aquinas Study the Bible? pt 2 - CHS 115
- PapalEncyclicals.Net - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 114
- PapalEncyclicals.Net - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 114
- The Canon of Scripture and the Authority of the Church - CHS 113
- The Canon of Scripture and the Authority of the Church - CHS 113
- Interpreting from Major Motifs - Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 112
- Interpreting from Major Motifs - Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 112
- How Athanasius of Alexandria's Canonical List of Scripture Illustrates Church Authority - CHS ae 03
- How Athanasius of Alexandria's Canonical List of Scripture Illustrates Church Authority - CHS ae 03
- Martin Luther's Opposition to the Anabaptists on Infant Baptism - Protestant Agreements and Differences Series - CHS 111
- Martin Luther's Opposition to the Anabaptists on Infant Baptism - Protestant Agreements and Differences Series - CHS 111
- Tools for Understanding Others - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 110
- Tools for Understanding Others - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 110
- Finding Peace for Your Soul through the Study of the Catholic Heritage - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 109
- Finding Peace for Your Soul through the Study of the Catholic Heritage - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 109
- What Was Jewish Christianity? - Jewish Christianity Series - CHS 108
- What Was Jewish Christianity? - Jewish Christianity Series - CHS 108
- Interpreting through Conspiracy Theories - The Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 107
- Interpreting through Conspiracy Theories - The Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 107
- Second-Century Christianity Preliminary Considerations - Overview - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 106
- Second-Century Christianity Preliminary Considerations - Overview - Second-Century Christianity Series - CHS 106
- Look for Beliefs - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 106
- Look for Beliefs - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 105
- The Catholic Encyclopedia 1907-1912 Edition - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 104
- The Catholic Encyclopedia 1907-1912 Edition - Tools for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 104
- Should Catholics Support Ecumenical Efforts? - Ecumenism Series - CHS 103
- Should Catholics Support Ecumenical Efforts? - Ecumenism Series - CHS 103
- What was the Council of Trent and Why Was it Important - CHS 102
- What was the Council of Trent and Why Was it Important - Council of Trent Series - CHS 102
- Forgotten Statements in Paul's Epistles about Salvation - Forgotten Statements in Paul's Epistles - CHS 101 13Lufs
- Forgotten Statements in Paul's Epistles about Salvation - Forgotten Statements in Paul's Epistles - CHS 101
- The Life of Roger (Rogelio) Flores (1977-1994) - CHS 100
- The Life of Roger (Rogelio) Flores (1977-1994) - CHS 100
- The Intention of a Biblical Author - The Catholic Approach to the Bible Series - CHS 99
- The Intention of a Biblical Author - The Catholic Approach to the Bible Series - CHS 99
- Interpreting Texts without Literary Context - Gnostic Character of Recent Catholic Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 98
- Interpreting Texts without Literary Context - Gnostic Character of Recent Catholic Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 98
- Who Were the Anabaptists? - Protestant Agreements and Differences - CHS 97
- Who Were the Anabaptists? - Protestant Agreements and Differences Series - CHS 97
- Dialogue as a Means to the Truth - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 96
- Dialogue as a Means to the Truth - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 96
- The Faith of Sixteenth-Century as Shown in the Cost of Publishing Books - CHS 95
- The Faith of Sixteenth-Century Christians as Shown in the Cost of Publishing Books - CHS 95
- Take the Time to Read the Primary Sources for Yourself - How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 94
- Take the Time to Read the Primary Sources for Yourself - How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 94
- Martin Luther's Belief in the Sacrament of Confession - PrCHS 93
- Martin Luther's Belief in the Sacrament of Confession - Protestant Agreements and Differences Series - CHS 93
- Finding Parallels Sources - How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 92
- Finding Parallels Sources - How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 92
- Enchiridion Symbolorum: Compendium of Creeds, Definitions, and Declarations on Matters of Faith and Morals by Heinrich Denzinger - CHS 91
- Enchiridion Symbolorum: Compendium of Creeds, Definitions, and Declarations on Matters of Faith and Morals by Heinrich Denzinger - CHS 91
- How Did Aquinas Study the Bible? pt 1 - CHS 90
- How Did Aquinas Study the Bible? pt 1 - CHS 90
- Catechism of the Catholic Church - Tools for Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 89
- Catechism of the Catholic Church - Tools for Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 89
- Benedict XVI's Resignation and the Gnostic Character of Recent Critiques of Francis - CHS 87
- Benedict XVI's Resignation and the Gnostic Character of Recent Critiques of Francis - CHS 87
- The Council of Trent's Extensive Documentation of Its Proceedings - CHS 86
- How Many Documents Did the Council of Trent Produce? - Council of Trent Series - CHS 86
- Importance of Dates for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 85
- Importance of Dates for the Study of the Catholic Heritage - Why Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 85
- Was the Council of Trent the First Ecumenical Council to Canonize the Deuterocanonical Books? - CHS 84
- Was the Council of Trent the First Ecumenical Council to Canonize the Deuterocanonical Books? - CHS 84
- The Centrality of Tradition in Catholic Interpretations of the Bible - CHS 83
- The Shared Heritage of All Christians Protestant Catholic Orthodox and Others - CHS 82
- Helping the Next Generation Keep the Faith - Why Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 81
- How Did Augustines' Writing Survive in to the Early Middle Ages? - CHS 80
- The Truth Restricted to a Few People - The Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 79
- The Benefits of Reciting the Nicean-Constantinopolitan Creed - CHS 78
- The Primacy of the Scriptures in the Early Church - CHS 77
- The Role of Counterargument in Discerning the Truth - CHS 76
- Theological Pluralism on the Eve of the Reformation - CHS 75
- Appeal to Personal Feeling - The Gnostic Character of Recent Criticism of Pope Francis - CHS 74
- How Important Is Context for the Study of History? - CHSae 05
- Earlier Scholarship on the Papacy and Catholic Criticisms of Francis - CHS 73
- The Early Christian Understanding of Scripture, Tradition and Church Authority - CHS 72
- Ambrose's Influence on Augustine - CHS 71
- Evaluating the Secondary Sources - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 70 13Lufs
- The Life and Work of Cardinal Robert Bellarmine 1542-1621 - Doctors of the Church Series - CHS 69
- Identifying the Genre of a Document - How to Study the Catholic Heritage - CHS 68
- Secret Information about Pope Francis and the US Catholic Bishops - CHS 67
- My Recent Trip to the Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, NC - CHS 66
- Identify the Author's Commitments - CHS 65
- What is the Best English Translation of the Bible in 2019? - CHS 64
- Did Catholicism Exist before Constantine? - CHS 63
- The Gnostic Character of Recent Catholic Criticisms of Pope Francis - CHS 62
- Expect the Unexpected - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 61
- How Fair is the Media's Coverage of Pope Francis' Words? CHS 60
- Objectives of the Author - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 59
- Catholic Disregard for the Second Vatican Council - CHS 58 13Lufs
- Why Study the Primary Sources in the Original Languages - CHS 57 13Lufs
- What is the Bible - CHS 56
- How Did Augustine's Writings Survive the Vandal Invasion of North Africa - CHS 55
- What Are the Main Objectives When Studying Church History - CHS 54
- How to Find Primary Sources - CHS 53
- What Are the Primary Sources - How to Study the Catholic Heritage Series - CHS 52
- Did Philo of Alexandria Reject the Deuterocanonical Books? - CHS 51
- Is Doing History an Option? - CHS 50
- Did the North African Bishops Create a Canon of Scripture in 393? - CHS 49
- Does Quotation Equal Canonicity? pt 3 - CHS 48
- How to Better Read the Texts of the Catholic Heritage? - Reading Historically - CHS 47
- Does Quotation Equal Canonicity? pt 2 - The Late Canon Thesis - CHS 046
- How to Locate Primary Sources of the Catholic Heritage - CHS 45
- Does Quotation Equal Canonicity? Pt 1 - CHS 044
- What Have I Learned from My 2018 Work on the Catholic Heritage Show? - CHS 43
- What Does Incarnation Mean in Christianity? - CHS 042
- The Canon of Scripture and Christian Unity - CHS 041
- Some Reflections on the Current Crisis in the Catholic Church - CHS 040
- What Does Heresy and Orthodoxy Mean? - CHS 039
- Social Media and the Study of the Catholic Heritage_CHS ae 002
- Who Were the Heresiologists? CHS 038
- Jesus, the Apostles, the First-Century Church and the Canon - CHS 037
- The Canon of Scripture and Epistemology - CHS 036
- Multiple Considerations in the Study of the Catholic Heritage - CHSae 0001
- Examples of Fraternal Correction in the Church History - CHS 035
- The Principle of Fraternal Correction and Its Biblical Bases - CHS 034
- The Study of History and the Current Crisis in the Catholic Church - CHS 033
- Anonymity in Ancient Christian Texts - CHS 032
- The Muratorian Canon and Its Unique Character - CHS 031
- Jerome's Supporters and Opponents - CHS 030
- Jerome and Knowledge of Hebrew in Ancient Church - CHS 029
- Jerome, Scholarship and the Deuterocanonical Books – CHS 028
- Augustine, Jerome and Their Use of Each Other's Writings - CHS 027
- The Bible and the Canon - CHS 026
- Jerome and the Old Testament Canon pt 2 - Three Perspectives on Deuterocanonical Books
- Jerome and the Old Testament Canon pt 1 - CHS 0024
- Origen's Life, Writings and Reception - CHS 0023
- The Old Testament Canon Pt 2 - The Church's Selection of Books - CHS 0022
- The OT Canon Pt 1 - Jewish Diversity and Gnostic Rejections - CHS 0021
- The Papacy and Catholic Identity - CHS 0020
- St. Augustine on Sinful Clergy, Donatism and the Spiritual Life - CHS 0019
- Church Scandals, the Papacy and Augustine of Hippo - CHS 00018
- Gnosticism and the Canon of Scripture - CHS 000017
- Conclusion for How the New Testament was Formed pt 10 - CHS 000016
- Papal Approval - How the New Testament Was Formed pt 9 - CHS 000016
- Ignatius of Loyola and His Impact - CHS 000014
- Conciliar Reception - How the New Testament Was Formed - pt. 8 - chs 00013
- Patristic Reception - How the New Testament Was Formed - pt. 7 - chs 00012
- Orthodoxy - How the New Testament Was Formed - pt. 6 - chs 00011
- Reception of Books by the Churches - New Testament Criteria of Canonicity pt. 3 - chs 00010
- Apostolic Transfer of Books Criteria of Canonicity pt4 CHS 0009
- Antiquity - Critieria of Canonicity pt 2 - CHS 0008
- Apostolic Origin - What Were the Criteria for Canonicity - NT Canon Series pt 2 - CHS 0007
- Apostolic Origin - What Were the Criteria for Canonicity - NT Canon Series pt 2 - CHS 0007
- The Criteria Used by the Early Church to Determine the Canon of the New Testament - My Thesis - Canon of Scripture pt 4 - CHS 0006
- Canon of Scripture pt 3 - Which Criteria Did the Early Church Use to Determine the Canon of the Old Testament - CHS 0005
- Canon of Scripture pt 2 - When Was the Canon of the Bible Established? - CHS 0004
- Canon of Scripture pt 1 - What is the Canon and Why it is Important
- Ragheed Aziz Ganni (1972-2007) - Priest, Friend and Martyr
- Introduction to the Catholic Heritage Show and Bio of Dr Erik Estrada
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