ABSTRACT
The Reformation changed in a fundamental way the setting of the political-theological problem. Europe's religious and political unity collapsed. It disintegrated with reference to doctrine and church structure with the spread of the Reformation and by confessionalization. The Reformation led to a split in Christendom on the theological question of truth. The different confessions gave different answers to what was the fundamental question: the salvation of man. This political-theological problem provokes the frequent attempts throughout history to secure the unity of society. The secular government acquires by grace the necessary virtue, such that justice, peace and a loving sense of community can permeate society. The conflict was played out in a feudal society where authority and power were determined by land ownership. The idea of a Natural Law, which is the core of Thomistic social philosophy, rests on the premise that from the domain of human existence are derived certain fundamental, common ethical obligations.
