Beginning in the mid-1520s and continuing throughout the sixteenth century was an idea labeled 'confessionalization.' Confessionalization was, in essence, a solidifying and institutionalizing of denominational beliefs. There were a number of reasons why this confessionalization occurred. A ridiculous amount of political turmoil was happening in Germany. The Holy Roman Empire was divided, and as the teachings of Martin Luther and John Calvin settled into governmental systems, so did the systems change to accommodate these newly accepted theologies. The common layperson became somewhat…
