Answer to Question #201952 in History for sharon

Question

How are cultures diffused and to what extent can we trace the outcomes 

of the Reformation from Martin Luther?

Answer 1

Cultural diffusion occurs when ideas, beliefs, social practices and other cultural aspects spread from one place to another. Cultures are diffused through relocation and expansion i.e. either through stimulus - cultural aspects spread based on their attachment to other concepts; contagious diffusion - culture spreads based on person-to-person contact or hierarchical diffusion - cultural aspects spread from larger to smaller hierarchies, influenced by social elites.

We can sparsely trace the outcomes of the Reformation from Martin Luther through the practice of Luther's doctrines in Lutheran churches. However, many other forms of Protestantism, influenced by varying ideologies, have emerged in the past centuries,each with their own set of doctrines and culture. Examples include: Adventists, Anglicans, Baptists, Evangelicals, Methodists, Pentecostals etc.