By the end of the Reformation, what did many Protestant groups incorporate into their beliefs?

The choice regarding a literal understanding of Genesis is significant as many Protestant reformers sought to return to the authority of Scripture, which they believed had been obscured by centuries of tradition and interpretative practices established by the Catholic Church. This movement emphasized a direct engagement with the biblical texts themselves, often leading to a more straightforward interpretation of the Genesis creation accounts.

In this context, the Protestant Reformation was marked by a desire to establish doctrine based on the Bible rather than on church traditions or allegorical interpretations that dominated prior teachings. This literal interpretation reflected a broader trend within the Reformation to valorize early biblical accounts as foundational truths for believers. Hence, the literal understanding of Genesis became a cornerstone for many Protestant groups as they articulated their beliefs regarding creation, humanity, and divine authority, influencing theological thought and practices during and after the Reformation.