The Reformation in England was more secular than that begun by Martin Luther in Germany or by John Calvin in Switzerland. Which
of these actions by Henry VIII BEST illustrates the secular nature of the English Reformation? A) After sending officials to investigate the behavior of monks, Henry closed Catholic monasteries. B) Henry executed dozens of people who opposed him or the changes he made to the Church in England. C) In 1533, Henry made himself head of the Church in England, although at the time he left religious services essentially unchanged. D) Luther and others in Northern Europe attacked the Church’s focus on collecting wealth rather than helping people live as the Bible taught they should.
The best answer is C. in 1533 Henry VIII made himself head of the Church in Egland, although at the time he left religious services essentially unchanged.
The English Reformation varied from those in other countries because the actions of Henry VIII were taken from stately, personal, and religious reasons rather than those of pure theology like Luther and Calvin. Henry VIII used his status as head of the English Church to set his marriage affairs in order and to confiscate the wealth of Catholic churches in England, but he left religious matters virtually untouched making the changes of the English Reformation initially more secular in nature.
