The exhibition gives basic information about the development of Christianity on the European Continent and the important place of the Czech Reformation in this context. The term “Czech Reformation” is not a nationalistic designation but defines a specific type of the Reformation, in a similar way as we define the “German Reformation” (Lutheran, i.e. Augsburg Confession or A.C.) or “Swiss Reformation” (Calvinist, i.e. Helvetian Confession or H.C.).

Within the context of European history Waldensianism, the first Reformation movement, did not connect permanently with any state structure. The Hussite movement did pose a real threat to the monopoly of the medieval Church organization, but remained limited within the borders of only one state. The changes to the political and economic situation in the 16^th century enabled the formation of independent territories, where the influence of Rome could not directly infringe upon them. However, all Reformation movements had only one thing common, even though each expressed it in different ways:

1. The insistence that the Bible should be accessible to everybody in intelligible language; and
2. The priority of a direct, personal, immediate relationship with God and therefore the rejection of any mediation through the Church institution (that's why all of them disavowed the papacy).

The exhibition also seeks to point out similar experience of the followers of certain Reformation movements who rediscovered, amidst many sorrows, that genuine Christianity not burdened with the requirements of Church institutions.