History: Jesuit

1491- The Society of Jesus, or Jesuits, was founded by a Spanish nobleman, Ignatius of Loyola, 1491- 1556. Loyola was in many ways the antithesis of Martin Luther. Though he believed in Luther's fundamental interpretation of church theology, his means to attain salvation was born out of absolute adherence to church doctrine. The Jesuits preferred a highly disciplined devotion to scripture rather than the relaxed 'acceptance' doctrine espoused by the Lutherans. The Jesuits believed in strict papal supremacy, see Act of Supremacy.