Chris Enger
Theology Period E
10-30-06

Thomas More as a Person of Faith

I wrote a paper dealing with Thomas More's background at life as a saint and Doctor of the Church in sophomore Theology, but I didn't center on faith at all. He was however a Martyr , all of whom have a great amount of Faith. Faith to me means trust or belief in a person or thing. It is possible to have faith in parents, spouses, even people you don't know, such as sports heroes. Having particularly strong faith is rare today, so those who possess it should be praised.

Thomas More's faith began at a young age and he was taught the basis of Catholicism. His faith grew stronger and stronger as he attended Oxford University and kept studying Classical literature and Religions, under his main study, Law. He wrote the book "Utopia" which is believed to be the basis of communism. King Henry VIII made More the Lord Chancellor in 1529. Shortly after this, the King and Pope Leo X entered a diossagreement about divorce. King Henry left the Catholic Church because Pope Leo would not allowe him to be pardoned if he divorced his wife, Catherine of Aragon. This brawl split the Catholic church, and started the Anglican Church of England .

This Devide of thr church is where Thomas More's Faith shines through. He is very good freiends with the King, and he is very religious (considered a Doctor of the Church), and the divide left him not knowing what to do. He turned to his Faith for the answer. His trust and belief in God (Zanzig's two elements of Faith) led him to stay with Christaianity, lose his position of Lord Chancellor, and go directly against the King. He followed his Faith in Catholicism and this guided him to challenge the King. He did and he was beheaded. A modern example is Martin Luther King Jr. Both men who gave up their lives for what they believed in. Thomas More was honored with sainthood and named a Martyr or the Catholic Church for his Faith and courage.


Other Sources
Catholic online/ Thomas More
Wikipedia
Catholic Encyclopedia