Reformation......................

     The word reformation was a popular in the Middle Ages as democracy is today - and it meant as many things to as many people.  Everyone was for it, as all the sources attest.  But that did not explain how reformation - today we would speak of reforms - were to look and how they would be implemented.  Nonetheless reformation was not a cliché.  It was more of an irritant and an admonition, often accompanied by ire and indignation but also filled with hope and longing.  It could challenge the Church as such or seek to stir up a religious order.  Then reformation meant return to original ideals.  The Church was to emulate the model of the early Christian community, to be united again in love; or a monastic community was to regain sight of the original, authentic principles of the founder of the order.

-Heiko A. Oberman,  Luther:  Man Between God And The Devil