Final answer:
The ecclesiological heresy in question refers to several historical critiques and movements against the Catholic Church's authoritative stance on salvation and sacraments, notably by the Calvinist tradition, which influenced the Protestant Reformation and led to differing beliefs about transubstantiation, predestination, and the nature of salvation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ecclesiological heresy discussed in relation to our reliance on precise formulas for salvation and devotional practices often critiques the institutionalized authorities of the church and their perceived failures. Specifically, this heresy can be tied to the Calvinist tradition and others that emerged in reaction to the Catholic Church's rigid structure and practices, such as the Donatists and the Arians. These groups questioned aspects such as the nature of the Eucharist, sacraments, and the authority of priests, ultimately leading to significant historical shifts like the Protestant Reformation.
During the Black Death, the church's inability to mitigate suffering led to the rise of mystical and ascetic practices. The Calvinist tradition particularly rejected the idea of transubstantiation, considering the Eucharist merely commemorative. The Elizabethan Settlement later aimed to reconcile these differences by creating a compromise between Catholicism and Calvinist theology, although this still led to debates over the nature of ecclesiastical authority and salvation.
Indeed, the legacy of these heretical movements persists in the variety of Christian beliefs today. The Puritan belief in predestination is a prime example, positing that salvation is predetermined by God and not influenced by human deeds, contrasting sharply with other Christian doctrines that emphasise free will and the sacraments as a path to salvation.