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Preface zyx The Reformation of the sixteenth century was essentially a religious event. Other factors undoubtedlyplayed their part in its coming, course,and manifold consequences, but the event itself, if that term may be used to signify so extended a development , was first and foremost a revolution in the domain of religious faith and practice. It zyxwv is important, therefore, in the study of the Reformation to give dose attention to the religious issues involved, that is, to the doctrines and beliefs that were the subject of controversy and the chief concern of Reformerand Catholic apologist alike. Such, in brief, is the thought underlying this volume. The documentsitpresents unfold these controversial doctrinalissues, particularly the very basic ones of the authority of Church and Scriptureand of the justification of man before God. As formulations of that time, they also giveus some of the accent, spirit, and argument in which these issues were discussed. And because of their sources they may be said to bear the mark of high authenticity . zyxwvuts December zyxwvuts 10, I 965 J. c.0. I wrote the above paragraph as the Preface for this volume when it was first published as a Harper Torchbook in 1966. It applies equally well €or this new edition which now appears under the imprint of Fordham University Press. It is a pleasure for me, I might add, to have this volume join my other books on this period that the Press has published. It marks a long and happy association with that Press. I would also like to note that very recently the doctrinal issue of justification by faith alone, whichmay be said to have inaugurated the Protestant Reformation and become its basic zyx ix A REFORMATION zyxwvu DEBATE zyxwv theological tenet zyxwvut (see pages zyxwv 16-18), has in large part been resolved . At leastLutheranandCatholicauthorities (that is, representatives of theLutheranWorldFederationand the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) last October reached agreementon the questionand issued a joint declaration acknowledging that justification comes through faith alone but that good works are an essential sign of faith. Our documents are especially interesting to read in the light of this resolution of that historic dispute. J. c.0. zyx January zyxwvuts 10, 2000 X ...

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