Rome's Counter-Reformation Tactics #3 Intransigence - The Council of Trent

Over the centuries, since 1517, Rome has employed many different tactics and strategies. Sometimes she has been like a ravenous wild beast devouring all before her. At other times she has been as subtle as the devil himself in administering the wine of her fornication to deceive gullible Protestants. All with the aim of destroying and reversing the Protestant Reformation.

The tactics and strategies which Rome has employed over the centuries are:

#3. Intransigence

Pope Paul III initiated The Council of Trent as an act of intransigence and defiance to the teaching of the Reformers. The Council of Trent [depicted] has been described as the embodiment of the Counter-Reformation. It met over the years 1545 - 1563. It actually sat in session during the years 1545-1547, 1551-1552, 1562-1563.

Its purpose was to reaffirm Catholic teaching. In doing so the Council of Trent issued condemnations of what it defined to be ‘heresies’ committed by Protestantism. In addition key statements and clarifications were issued stating the Church's position on various doctrines including that of Scripture, the Canon of Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Original Sin, Justification, Salvation, The Sacraments, The Mass and the Veneration of Saints.

Pillars of the Reformation - 4. Sola Fide

 The fourth pillar of the Protestant Reformation was 'Sola Fide' - by faith alone.

According to Martin Luther, justification by faith alone is the article on which any church stands or falls. In order for a sinner to be declared to be righteous before God the sinner needs the merit of Christ reckoned to their account. This fourth pillar deals with how this is done. How does the righteousness of Christ be reckoned to a sinner’s account, thus removing their guilt and condemnation and declaring them to be righteous before a holy God?

The Reformers at the time of the Reformation went back to primitive New Testament Christianity and said that this is done solely by faith alone, without any works on the part of the sinner who is being declared righteous.