In your own words you are to 1) explain the criticism (summarize in your own words) and 2) explain the Reformation value being described by the criticism (i.e. no indulgences, too much papal power, corruption, and so on. This is very open ended, just be thorough in your explanation). John Calvin, Reformation Leader, The Necessity of Reforming the Church, 1543 In word, indeed, they [Catholic Church] concede to God the glory of all that is good; but, in reality, they rob him of the half, or more than the half, by partitioning his perfections among the saints. Let our adversaries use what evasions they may, and defame us for exaggerating what they pretend to be trivial errors, I will simply state the fact as every man perceives it. Divine offices are distributed among the saints as if they had been appointed colleagues to the supreme God, and, in a multitude of instances, they are made to do his work, while he is kept out of view. The thing I complain of is just what every body confesses by a vulgar proverb. For what is meant by saying, "the Lord cannot be known for apostles," unless it be that, by the height to which apostles are raised, the dignity of Christ is sunk, or at least obscured?

Question

Below are excerpts from a primary document which criticizes the Catholic Church in the period leading up to and during the Protestant Reformation. In your own words you are to 1) explain the criticism (summarize in your own words) and 2) explain the Reformation value being described by the criticism (i.e. no indulgences, too much papal power, corruption, and so on. This is very open ended, just be thorough in your explanation).

John Calvin, Reformation Leader, The Necessity of Reforming the Church, 1543

In word, indeed, they [Catholic Church] concede to God the glory of all that is good; but, in reality, they rob him of the half, or more than the half, by partitioning his perfections among the saints. Let our adversaries use what evasions they may, and defame us for exaggerating what they pretend to be trivial errors, I will simply state the fact as every man perceives it. Divine offices are distributed among the saints as if they had been appointed colleagues to the supreme God, and, in a multitude of instances, they are made to do his work, while he is kept out of view. The thing I complain of is just what every body confesses by a vulgar proverb. For what is meant by saying, "the Lord cannot be known for apostles," unless it be that, by the height to which apostles are raised, the dignity of Christ is sunk, or at least obscured?