1. Developments in Protestantism

1.1 Justifiable Reformation criticism of the medieval monasteries and orders for merit-seeking and an emphasis on external matters effectively blocked the development within Protestantism either of biblically legitimate orders and brotherhoods such as the church had known since the Constantinian age or of Luther’s dream of a gathering of those who wished to be serious Christians (German Mass [1526]). Although Luther recognized the Brethren of the Common Life and some mona…