Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What was a central belief held by Florimond de Raemond regarding Protestants?

1. That they should better interpret holy texts

2. That they undermined the authority of the Catholic Church

3. That they correctly represented divine teachings

4. That their practices were overly restrictive

The correct answer is: That they undermined the authority of the Catholic Church

Florimond de Raemond was a notable figure in the context of religious debates during the Reformation, particularly in his interactions with Protestantism. A central belief he held regarding Protestants was that they undermined the authority of the Catholic Church. This perspective was common among Catholic theologians and scholars of the time, who viewed the Protestant movement as not only a challenge to specific doctrines but also as a fundamental threat to the institutional authority and unity of the Church itself. De Raemond's writings and arguments primarily focused on defending the Catholic faith against what he perceived as the dangerous consequences of Protestant reforms, which he thought eroded the traditional structures and teachings established by the Church. His beliefs highlighted the broader concerns within Catholic circles about maintaining ecclesiastical authority and doctrinal integrity in the face of growing Protestant influence, making option B a fitting representation of his views.