On The Protestant Thought Of Robert Barnes(1531-1540)

Robert Barnes(1495-1540)was the first generation of religious reformers and protestant martyrs in the early 16th century in England.His reformation thoughts not only reflects the trend of British nation-state towards political independence in the era of religious reform,but also shows his religious ideal of pursuing evangelical church.promotes the development of Protestantism among the people,thus TCnaking outstanding contributions to the process of official religious reform in TudorThe main body of the article is divided into three chapters.The first chapter combs Barnes’ major experiences and the origin of his protestant thought.As a folk reformer,he promoted the spread of Luther’s reform thought.When the curtain of religious reform opened in England,He served as a loyal envoy for the communication between the king of England and the German Protestant Alliance.The formation of his protestant thought was influenced by Erasmus’s Christian humanism,Martin Luther’s view of justification by faith and Wycliff’s national cliurch ideas.Chapter two systematically summarizes and analyses Barnes’ protestant thought.In terms of doctrine,Barnes regards faith as the only way for believers to be saved,he denies that Catholic Church preaches that believers can be saved by free will,he also criticizes the church’s incorrect view of sacraments.In terms of the church view,Barnes advocated the establishment of a pure and infallible true church and the idea of "All believers are priests",abolish privileges preached by priests.In terms of believers’ outlook on life,while regulating the religious lives of kings,priests and lay believers,he endeavored to sketch out a blueprint for a Christian CoImnonwealth.Chapter tliree reviews the iniluence of Barnes,protestant thought and his contribution to British religious reform.His thought is mainly a fusion of orthodox doctrines in godfather period and protestant thought,which clearly reflects the transitional characteristics from the Middle Ages to,nodern times.His reform thought not only promoted the pace of official reform in Llenry Ⅷ period,but also guided the majority of lay believers to accept protestant ideas.In addition,Barnes used his own practice to proInote the formation of the creed of the Anglican Church.Barnes’ Protestant thouglit is an important part of the theory of religious reform in England,which reflects his deep thinking on the problems in Britain in the transitional period.Because his ideas were partial to Lutheranism on continent,contrary to the reforming demand of Henry Ⅷ,he ended up in martyrdom.Nevertheless,most of his reforming thoughts were confirmed by the creed of the Anglican Church and become an indispensable important figure in the process of the establishment of the British nation-state.