5-30-26 THE REFORMERS CALLED FOR SEPARATION

Separation of Church and State Its Original Intent The Reformers Called for Separation During the Reformation, many Bible-centered ministers warned against the State ruling over the Church. Martin Luther argued that civil government had authority over external matters, but not over the soul. John Calvin taught that the Church does not wield the sword of civil punishment and that the magistrate must not assume the work of the Church. Richard Hooker called for a “separation” between the Church and the commonwealth. John Greenwood insisted there could be only one head of the Church: Christ, not the queen. This was not a call to remove God from public life. It was a call to keep rulers from controlling the Church. REMEMBER. Christ is the head of the Church. RIFL Society @RiflSociety2026