Lesson 1: Introduction
The Holy Roman Empire centered in Germany and Austria became more German and Austrian such that nation states rose. Nothing holy, nor Roman, nor like an empire.
Europe began to be centralized in the 16th century, politically. However, the notion of a Christian empire was diminishing. The Roman Catholic Church was selling indulgences roughly 50 years before Luther's protest. Indulgences work even for the dead - a good marketing scheme. "As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs." - Tetzel
Indulgence satisfies and replaces pious works required in penance, which is a sacrament comprising 3 parts:
1. Contrition over Attrition (feeling guilty only when caught - sorrow for sin out of fear of damnation).
2. Oral confession to a priest in private.
3. Do prayers or giving to the poor (perhaps to the church).
Centralization of power results in absolutism - such as seen in France, which led to the French Revolution.
Reformation failed as opposed by the government: France
Reformation not supported by government but succeeded: Netherlands, Scotland.
Reformation supported by government: England, Scandinavia.
Lesson 2: Martin Luther's Early Life
Lovely quote:
At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, “In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’” There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. … Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. — Martin Luther
Born 1483
At Funeral, Philip Melanchthon said of Luther as a violent physician. Bugenhagen said of him as the literal angel holding the eternal gospel in Revelation 14.
John Calvin interestingly called him an apostle.
The Roman Catholic critics called him the spawn of Satan, or that he just wanted to marry.
Theology appeared to be despised at the time already: Luther's father wanted him to go to law school despite Luther's love for theology.
Made what is known as fox-hole prayer to St. Anne (St. Mary's mother, patron saint of Luther's father's business) as he was in thunderstorm. But not quite, since he already wanted to go into seminary=monastery, which was the promise of his prayer (Godfrey: He cheated).
1505 - 22 yrs - Started in Erfurt - where there were all kinds of monasteries - rich place to live a poor but convenient life. Luther wanted a serious monastery - Augustinian Hermits.
"Doubt makes a the monk" - Those who were seriously inquiring their salvation, holiness, became monks.
1510 - learned Greek & Hebrew a bit late.
But Luther love to write. When he died, he was found with hand muscle as if holding a pen.
1512 - Becomes professor of the Bible (The only position with oath without submission to ecclesiastical superiors) God's providence in Luther's later justification of himself against the Church.
1513 - Wittenberg - Ruled by Saxon Elector Frederick the Wise. Taught university there starting with Psalms until 1515. Luther: Psalms = little Bible. Teaching at the time was more of a research project for the professor while students got to observe and follow.
1515-1516 - Taught Romans
By 1516, he was also the preacher of the town.
1516-1517 - Taught Galatians
1517-1518 - Taught Hebrew. By now, he has covered all the important books for the Reformation.
Plenary (forgives past, present, future sins) indulgence came to town. For the sake of St. Peter's Basilica, which we can relate to the reformation every time we see it.
Federick Banned indulgences.
1517 - Luther nailed his 95 theses, which was a common practice to invite debate, against indulgences for the dead (Luther supported indulgences in general but not for the dead - premature reformation).
Luther had previously nailed other theses: i.e. against Scholastic Theology. Luther: Reason = Whore, one cannot reason one's way to God.
Luther's breakthrough: Righteousness is not demanded of me by God, but was given to me through Christ.
Lesson 3: Martin Luther and the German Reformation
Someone interpreted Luther's 95 theses into German, making Luther famous unwittingly.
1518 April - Heidelberg - The Gospel of Glory (man's works) vs. The Gospel of the Cross (God's work)
1519 - Leipzig - Luther developed the doctrine of Justification. Luther's theology changes as he debated. With John Eck (who knew more church history than Luther) on authority. Luther argued with Eck on the Bible instead of church history.
Luther was charged to Rome to be on trial, which is deadly. Asked and got Frederick's help. Fortunately, the pope wanted to be on Frederick's good side since he wanted the prince's support on electing new emperor (Habsburg candidate Charles V).
1520 - published Treatises: "The Appeal to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation": Asking Christian princes to reform, criticizing the pope, challenging to be excommunicated.
"The Babylonian Captivity of the Church": There are no 7 sacraments but 3 (baptism, supper & pennants), in the end only 2 sacraments - Luther's theology kept changing.
"The Freedom of the Christian": On Justification.
Pope issued decree: Exsurge Domine = Rise up O Lord (Psalm 80 - ... A wild boar has invaded your vinyard). Luther was given 60 days to recant.
1521 - Luther was officially excommunicated by the church.
Charles V decided to put Luther on trial - The Diet of Worms. (Diet - frequent meet of the princes)
Luther was haunted by the question: Am I alone wise?
In the end, emperor's bodyguards said: To the flames, to the flames. Charles kept his promise of safe passage for Luther, allowing Luther to return to Wards, Wittenberg. Fearing that the emperor would declare Luther an outlaw (which he did), Frederick sent men to kidnap Luther to one of his castles, ordering the men not to tell him which castle - so that he could tell the authority that he didn't know where Luther was without lying.
In Wartburg, Luther translated the Bible into German.
1522 March - Luther returned to Wittenberg, which was in a mess thanks to his colleague on the faculty, Carlstadt, who changed much of the church, translated mass from Latin to German, gotten married, ordered the removal of all images from churches. Luther returned things to where they were. Calling Carlstadt's movement as Rome with a difference - a new form of legalism, that the change is too soon for God's people could follow. Fredrick was satisfied. Luther followed Carlstadt's movement slowly with the exception of iconoclastic action.
Luther helped marrying some nuns off, who have fled a town convent. There was one (Catherine von Bora) who turned down all arranged marriages Luther setup for her, whom Luther got frustrated and asked "How am I ever going to marry you off?" "Well Dr. Luther, you're available". "You know, I think I ought to marry just to spite the pope".
Luther: The family as the school of character. I have learned to love, to be disciplined, to be self-denying in the home than I could ever learn in the monastery.
1524 - Erasmus, prince of humanism, goaded by the church to attack Luther on the Freedom of the Will. Erasmus = a very very conservative semi-Pelagian.
1525 - Luther responded in treatise: "On the Bondage of Will": We are not free, we are in bondage of sin, God must do it all. Sounded a lot like Calvinist.
Lesson 4: Martin Luther and the Growing Protestant Movement
1520s - Bible argument motivated people. But many still being misled. i.e. Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt exiled and made his way to the Swiss city of Zürich - befriended Zwingli. Thus, Luther as sensitive he is, he was suspicious of Zwingli. Godfrey: "Historian will tell you that Luther vs. Zwingli is at a more personal level due to Karlstadt."
Thomas Munzter (Anabaptist) vs. Luther: Peasant's Revolt/war 1524-1525. Leader = Thomas: Freedom of the Gospel = Workers ought to be free. Luther: Gospel has nothing to do with this or it would be legalistic. Munzter claimed to speak for the Holy Spirit. Luther: Bible, bubble, babble.
Zwingli (born 1484): 1 year younger than Luther. Humanist background. Priest. Preacher. "Grandfather of Reformed Christianity". More spiritual theology, more radical than Luther. Against Luther on the Lord's Supper.
1526 - Luther wrote treatise on the sacrament.
1527 - Zwingli published response: "Friendly Exegesis". Luther mad, responded in treatise: "That these words, 'this is my body' still stand". Zwingli: "That these words 'this is my body' still have their original meaning.
Luther: "The great confession concerning the Lord's Supper." Luther: "Zwingli does not believe the Bible."
Philipp Melanchthon
Luther: I have the stuff, but not the manner; Erasmus has the manner, but not the stuff; Philipp has both the stuff and the manner; Karlstadt has neither stuff nor manner.
Luther hoped Melanchthon to take his place. However, Melanchthon was a bit timid.
Martin Butzer, reformer at Strasberg (Between France, Swiss & Germany). Who later welcomed Calvin to minister in Strasberg. Heard Luther preached in Heidelberg in 1518. Gotten Luther & Zwingli to meet in 1529 in Marburg: Seemed to work initially but fell apart in the end. Godfrey: Maybe it was due to Melanchthon told Luther that he might have gone too far conceding to Zwingli. Luther would not shake Zwingli's hand.
24 months later, in 1531, Zwingli was killed in battle defending the city, mutilated. Remembered as the hero martyr. Heinrich Bullinger follower of Zwingli was his successor, found it hard to compromise with Luther, hence the beginning of the great divide between Lutherans and the Reformed.
1529 showed Luther's intransigence.
Godfrey mentioned: Luther's use of language, Luther vs. Jews (not anti-semitism since he would welcome the Jews).
Luther primary anger and motive of attack: Directed towards the devil whom he thought is always at work to ruin the Gospel with legalism.
Diet of Augsburg 1530 - Emperor did not give Luther safe conduct. Melanchthon went in his place. Wrote Augsburg Confession, supporting German Lutheran princes. Emperor didn't like it but couldn't do much. Lutheran princes still worried and formed a league of defense: Schmalkaldic League, to prepare for war against the emperor, which come in about 15 years.
Luther: I could start civil war in Germany, but that's not the Gospel, let the Word do it. I rather drink beer with Melanchthon in the garden.
Lesson 5: Martin Luther and the Anabaptists
Symbol for Calvin: a hand with a heart
for Luther: Cross in the center of a rose.
Luther loves exaggerations, occasional theology. Not so systematic.
"Be suspicious of the word "ergo" = therefore (Follow these steps...therefore). Rather, use Denach (German) = Nevertheless. Away from legalistic theology.
Godfrey: Every page of Luther shows spiritual power.
The Lord's Supper:
Luther - Rome's great error is on sacrifice - priests sacrifice Christ.
Zwingli - Rome's great problem is idolatry - transubstantiation.
Thus, the two couldn't meet on the same page, until Calvin.
Anabaptists:
Re-baptizer. Started in Zurich with Conrad Grable, January 1525.
Today: Amish, Hutterites, Mennonites. (pacifists)
Back in 16th Century, Thomas Muntzer & the Peasants' War gave a different reputation for the Anabaptists who influenced the German town Munster which was initially Lutheran but then turned into Netherlands' Anabaptist as the others were exiled. Leadership: Jan Matthys => John Leiden (King of Munster) => Introduced Polygamy, all sorts of OT laws => crazy. Leiden was eventually executed.
Belgic Confession (1561) detests the Anabaptists = seditious persons.
Godfrey's good point: There's a technical term for Roman Catholics who don't like the pope = Protestants. (The Catholics might like take it well).
Godfrey refutes Anabaptists => Modern Baptists. Anabaptists say: Christians = baptized as a believer and leads a life of righteousness. Not clear on the doctrine of Justification. (I think Godfrey may be stretching here a bit to please the Baptists) Nevertheless, the Anabaptists did show heavy legalism.
Anabaptist Confession (1527) by Michael Sattler = Schleitheim (city) Confession: lots of external laws and bans.
Godfrey: Anabaptist movement was more of a revival of medieval sectarian spirit = strict disciplined Christian living. More medieval call of strict morality than thoroughly protestant. Wacky - revelation claims, Evangelical Rationalists = anticipating protestant liberalism => anti-trinitarianism (e.g. Michael Servetus). But modern Anabaptist movement such as some Mennonites (Menno Simons though had strange notions about the incarnation) & Amish have moved towards genuine protestant view.
Lesson 6: From the German Reformation to Geneva
Then Farel, who was working with incredible zeal to promote the gospel, bent all his efforts to keep me in the city. And when he realized that I was determined to study in privacy in some obscure place, and saw that he gained nothing by entreaty, he descended to cursing and said that God would surely curse my peace if I held back from giving help at a time of such great need. Terrified by his words, and conscious of my own timidity and cowardice, I gave up my journey and attempted to apply whatever gift I had in defense of my faith.—John Calvin
1546-47 War: After Luther's death, Islam's threat have receded (hence Luther was in a safe period during the war with Muslims), France's problems receded as well, Emperor Charles V now cleans up the heretics at home in Germany.
1548, Lutheran Princes defeated by the emperor. Resulted in "The Augsbrug Interim Peace": As long as you outwardly practice Roman Catholicism, you can believe whatever you want" - Philipp Melanchthon willing to accept it. Most objected. But Emperor was not able to root out protestantism, thus abdicated and entered a monastery, remarkable.
1555, Brother of Charles, Ferdinand I, succeeded as Emperor, signed the Peace of Augsburg. Legalizing Protestantism in the Empire. First time in 1100 years, Europe tolerated other religion.
1575: Forumla of Concord, to bring harmony/concord between warring Lutheran factions. Attack Calvinists (not describing accurately in Formula.
Stereotype of Puritans: Someone who fears that someone else somewhere is having a good time.
Calvin:
Received education in the humanist texts: Greek, Latin, Hebrew. To become a literary scholar, ideal of the time. One great thing to do was to edit a text. Calvin did Seneca's De Clementia (On Mercy). An incredible, learned work of Calvin, but nobody cared it. Somewhere after re-examining his life, he was converted. Calvin rarely spoke of his own life, unlike Luther. The only place he mentioned himself, in the preface to his commentary on Psalms (where he mentioned his sudden conversion), he loved Psalms like Luther. The only OT book he preached on Sunday afternoons (NT in the mornings). Left France due to its hostility towards Protestantism and went to Strasburg where Butzer (admired) was, peaceful place to study. During France & Germany's conflict, he detoured to Geneva, and the William Farel incident happened on the way. Farel was unorganized despite his zeal for the Gospel, hence forced Calvin to stay.
Calvin was impatient. Short fuse. Couldn't stand fools. He admitted it candidly.
Calvin more medieval than Luther in city councils affairs (politicians listen to ministers), unlike Luther (Magistrate as emergency bishop, princes provide leaderships). Got into trouble with them in church discipline. Calvin: Church must have right to excommunicate people. City councils willing to go along until the church thought it had the right to excommunicate important people (rich, politically powerful). Calvin would not serve communion if they could not exercise discipline. City Councils: We would discipline for you. Calvin: Not good enough. They kicked Calvin out. Calvin delighted: Not where I ought to be anyway. Went to Strasburg, became pastor of 400 French refugees. First commentary: Romans.
Good example in pastoral works, not just theologian.
Looked up to Luther, the pioneer.
Systematic theological mind, as opposed to Luther's occasional theology.
Age: 25-26, wrote the Institutes.
Very good at organizing things/writings systematically, not long winded.
We lost some of his works in Geneva public Library when they threw his works away to make more room in the early 19th century.
Sermons have different contents on same passages.
Lesson 7: John Calvin and Geneva
In short, whilst my one great object was to live in seclusion without being known, God so led me about through different turnings and changes, that he never permitted me to rest in any place, until, in spite of my natural disposition, he brought me forth to public notice. … Necessity was imposed upon me of returning to my former charge, contrary to my desire and inclination. The welfare of this church, it is true, lay so near my heart, that for its sake I would not have hesitated to lay down my life; but my timidity nevertheless suggested to me many reasons for excusing myself from again willingly taking upon my shoulders so heavy a burden.—John Calvin
I love that Calvin ascribed his unwillingness to his timidity, instead of some self-righteous excuse as many of us today do.
Married Idelette de Bure (widow of an Anabaptist who was brought into reformation by Calvin).
Their infant died. Criticized by others: it's a curse from God. Calvin responded: God gave me thousands of spiritual children already.
Wife died, wrote letters on his loss. Letters: She never hinders me. Criticized: Selfish Calvin. Actually such wife is always a great blessing for ministers.
Geneva sent for Calvin in Strasbourg: Erasmian Cardinal Sadoleto heard Calvin had been kicked out of Geneva and wanted to restore Geneva to Roman Catholicism. But Geneva never wanted Catholics. Just tamed ministers. Only Calvin could respond to Cardinal's theological argument for the restoration of Catholicism. And that he did, a great work in the Reformation history indeed.
After 2.5 years of good life in Strasbourg, Geneva and Farel insisted Calvin's return.
1541, Calvin reluctantly returned to Geneva and stayed until his death. A hard time of his life: criticized, opposed by City Council members, some named their dog after him, etc.
Citizens of Geneva then must attend church regularly, sign the confession of faith. People didn't like to go to church, made rude noises during sermons. At times, police had to be brought in for peace.
1559, Opened Academy in Geneva => today University of Geneva. 10k population in small town Geneva became 20k population during Calvin's stay. Lots of refugees from France came. Graduates of the academy went back to preach in France: joke about the diploma = their death certificate.
Michael Servetus:
Spaniard physician, anti-trinitarian.
1531, wrote attack against Trinitarianism, notorious in the Roman Catholic empire.
Mutual friends tried to have Servetus & Calvin meet. Calvin was willing to meet and correct Servetus' errors. But meeting never took place. Though they had corresponded each other.
Calvin concluded Servetus was intransigent. Warned him not to come to Geneva for it would be fatal. 16th Century treats heretics as today's public health problem, life and death seriousness.
1553, Servetus wrote "Christinismi Restitutio", Restitution vs. Calvin's Institution. A poke in the eye for Calvin, defending anti-trinitarianism. Came to Geneva that same year, presuming Calvin was not that popular in Geneva, came to make trouble in Geneva. Calvin insisted that Servetus be arrested, tried and found guilty of heresy. Calvin was not the judge but the City Council. He was only the prosecutor. Servetus refused to recant, was executed (burned at the stake) in Oct 1553. Calvin had wanted a more merciful execution for him by hanging instead.
Calvin's late life:
Preached twice on Sundays. Preached every morning every other week.
Came to pulpit without notes. Only with Greek NT or Hebrew OT, which he impressively translated as he went. Most people never read the Bible since the 90 year old invented printing of books were very expensive then.
He was wearing out in his works. Talked about his ailments at the end of his life. Godfrey's mother called that: Old people's Organ Recital.
He had malaria-like fever, kidney stones. In one of his letters: "Doctor suggested horse-riding for my kidney stones, but my hemorrhoids are too bad for me to sit on a horse."
Fellow ministers were concerned for his health, like Pak Tong's situation.
But he even dictated his last commentary on his deathbed.
Beza: rest, Calvin. Calvin: What? Would you have the Lord find me idle?
Though we're sure of the doctrine, Calvin never formulated the 5 point Calvin doctrine himself.
B.B. Warfield: "Calvin is the theologian of the Holy Spirit"
Contrasting/Reminding me of Rev. Laura Lin's comment on Calvin as being bad at understanding the Holy Spirit.
Godfrey: Calvin would say today: "Why is everybody interested in the extraordinary works of the Holy Spirit?"
Calvin certainly believed in the extraordinary works of the Holy Spirit, but he would stress on the ORDINARY WORKS of the Holy Spirit, the most important being:
Regenerating hearts
Giving the gift of faith
Sanctifying his people.
Calvin's critical focus in his theology was to make sure Christians have assurance/certainty. Some historian said he was anxious. But not so, many had questioned of their salvation, their doctrines, Calvin brought peace of God to them with God.
Lesson 8: The Theology of John Calvin
Cardinal Sadoleto: The Church is inerrant. Even if the Church is wrong, and you followed, God would not hold it against you for He has commanded you to follow the Church.
Reformation: The Bible is True, Roman Catholicism agrees.
Reformation: The Bible is sufficient, Roman Catholicism disagrees.
Reformation: The Bible is clear, Roman Catholicism disagrees.
Mid 16th Century, Roman Church forbade laypeople to read the Bible.
Doctrine of Perspicuity: Any normal person can find the message of salvation from the Bible by just reading it.
Calvin to Sadoleto: The Word of God alone lies beyond our sphere of judgment.
Calvin's Institutes Book I, Chapters 7-8: But how do we know it is the Word of God?
Chapter 8: evidences
Chapter 7: (Presup) We instinctively recognize the Word of God in the Bible. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Calvin wrong his own long catechism, look it up. Check out question 303: How do we profit from the Bible?
Godfrey: Heidelberg Catechism - Best summary of Calvin's theology.
Check out Question 65: Where does true faith come from?
Preaching of the Gospel produces faith, not preaching of the law. Preaching of the Law is necessary for repentance but not faith.
Max Weber wrote The Origins of Capitalism in the Spirit of Calvinism, mistook Calvinists work hard to find love from God due to uncertain of their election.
Godfrey: Calvin's favorite verse: John 17:3, repeats many times in his works.
"Come, and I will give you rest..." - Reformed, not Arminian to say "Come". Arminian: "You can come on your own".
"I'm such a sinner I don't think Jesus would receive me..." - But you're not trusting the promise of Christ.
Hyper-Calvinist: "Jesus, you know I couldn't come".
Calvin: Just trust Him in his promises.
Later debate: Is assurance entirely part of faith? Westminster Standards carefully crafted to compromise to contain both views.
Calvin's point: In the essence of faith, there ought to be assurance in your heart that Christ is for you.
Psalm 56: This I know, that God is for me.
Calvin on worship:
No artwork, no musical instruments. Just focus on the Bible and simplicity, the rest are distractions.
Lesson 9: The Catholic Reformation
Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther.
Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) kept mistress openly in the Vatican, promoted illegitimate children: Cesare & Lucrezia (the poisoner). Luther refers to Alexander VI as "Mysterium Iniquitatis" (The mystery of iniquity).
Rome in Moral mess.
Some like Erasmus called for change. The Reformation by Luther put most pressure to the Catholic Church to change.
Ecumenical council suggested. But popes afraid history will repeat again, bad for them.
Pope Paul III, call for ecumenical council for the church issued. Luther: One condition, it needs to be a free (from papal countrol) Christian (using the Bible as standard for truth) council on German soil (so Italians won't ruin anything).
Thus, council at Trent (sort of cheating, because Trent was located NE of Italy, but technically a part of the Holy Roman Empire, thus in some way on German soil).
1545: First council meeting. Issues discussed: Justification, Bible and Tradition. Reformers were well versed in these, but the Catholics were not.
Catholics worked hard to provide clarity against the Reformers: The Bible is the word of God, authoritative in church life, but ALL of God's revelation is NOT CONTAINED in the Bible.
But God also revealed himself given through holy traditions, through the apostles but not written down. Thus all authority of the Church is from either written apostolic work or oral apostolic teaching.
But by the 19th century, the Catholic Church realized many traditions cannot be recognized as apostolic in origin. They tried to change some definitions later. One Catholic in the 20th century said: We love the Council of Trent but we go beyond it. Protestants: Wait...not so fast...Either the pope/council is infallible/irreformable or they are not. You can't just ignore them and go on, you are stuck with them. There's no there, there. Calvin wrote an antidote of Trent, charmingly sarcastic.
Trent on justification (Long story short): "We are justified by being morally changed": God loves the lovely => For God to love you, you need to become a different person. You are not loved because of the external righteousness of Christ imputed to you. You are loved because Christ comes into you and changes you so you are a different person that you can be loved by God. This remains the essential difference between Protestantism and Rome. It relates to assurance: If you have to be morally better to be accepted by God, how much better do you have to be? How do you have any confidence? Rome: You shouldn't be confident, you ought to worry, you'll try harder if you're doubting. Assurance is just Protestant arrogance!!
Robert Bellarmine (16th century Catholic theologian): The essential Protestant heresy is the arrogance of assurance! You will get lazy, you won't try hard, if you are assured.
Calvin: The assured heart in Christ will live for God out of gratitude!
Godfrey: Result of these two differences: Roman Catholicism's indifference to mafia; Calvinism produces Puritanism, serious holy Christian life. Roman Catholicism don't recommend but agree that you can live however you like but you have a priest there at the last moment and everything will be alright (Rome's assurance?)
Trent adjourned with its statements on Justification, Bible and tradition. But Some like Cardinal Contarini having problem with it: "I don't think it's clearly enough Augustinian." Some in the Roman Church still wanted to teach "Grace Alone" (though not Faith alone). Still debated to this day in the Roman Church. Pope did not promulgate the decision of Trent initially.
1551, Pope Julius III summoned Council of Trent back to define 7 sacraments of the church vs. protestant's 2 sacrament. Adjourned, pope did not promulgate it.
1561, 3rd Council of Trent summoned. 1563: reasserted (not brand new in the 3rd Trent) sacrifice of the mass, propitiatory sacrifice. Rome did not mean sacrifice Christ again, although Christ is sacrificed on the altar. As if you are in Calvary, literally. Calvin: The mass is idolatry. The council also dealt with many bishops not living in diocese, due to Pluralism. Secondly, Trent called for seminary to be established everywhere, to have educated priesthood (Many Catholic priests hardly knew anything more than memorizing Latin mass and didn't even know what it meant, lost to Protestant preachers in biblical debate). Now, priests improved. Successful forcing back the advance of the Reformation.
Reformation successful in Poland, but rolled back by the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus, last great monastic order founded by Ignatius Loyola, Spaniard soldier), who initially wanted to be crusaders to win the Holy Land back for Christ, but became Shock Troops (spiritually) in the counter Reformation. Very well educated, very disciplined. Important Missionary work: Francis Xavier's (close associate of Loyola) mission work to India, Japan & China.
Loyola: I would believe black is white if the church said so!
Absolute devotion to the Roman Church.
Lesson 10: The Scottish Reformation
Reformation spread in Europe but halted in France, Spain, Italy.
Scotland in 16th century: Friendlier to France than England (not part of England).
Not wealthy, like a third-world country.
King James V died in battle 1542. Leaving daughter Mary Queen of Scots (Not Bloody-Mary), one week old.
Knox: Merchants & Mariners brought reformation to Scotland.
Knox, under preacher George Wishart, rose after Wishart's martyrdom 1546. Protestants also attacked and murdered Cardinal Beaton.
Knox's two passions: justified by faith alone & flee idolatry (The Roman Catholic Church).
Story: When sent to be galley slaves, French soldiers tried to do "evangelical" work by making slaves (protestants) to kiss the picture of the Virgin Mary. Knox took the picture: "Our Lady is light enough, let her learn to swim" and then throw the picture overboard.
Knox: "I considering myself called of my God to instruct the ignorant, comfort the sorrowful, confirm the weak, and rebuke the proud, by tongue and lively voice, in these most corrupt days, rather than to compose books for the age to come."
Strong powerful preacher, thunderer.
Preached in England until Bloody Mary came to throne. Went to Frankfurt, and then Geneva. Very impressed in Geneva.
Scotland: Mary Queen of Scots led by her French mother.
England: Bloody Mary persecuted protestants.
France: Queen Catherine d' Medici persecuted protestants.
Knox wrote famous book "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women". Bad timing.
When Bloody Mary died, Elizabeth who came to throne never forgave Knox for it, denied him passage in 1559 through England.
1559, arrived in Scotland, Lairds (minor nobility) love Knox, hated Roman Catholicism.
1561, young Queen Mary returned to Scotland, age 19. Widowed, the Dowager Queen of France. Arrived on cloudy rainy day. Knox: She brings with her only darkness duller and impiety.
Mary insisted to restore Roman Catholicism.
Queen wanted mass in her private chapel. Knox has convinced many to have the mass outlawed. Mary tried to persuade Knox. Knox replied: "Madame, I have been called to a public ministry, not to creep in princes' palaces and whisper in their ears."
Mary was clever, young and single, lots of charm. She got the Lairds to have private chapel for her. By this means she left many chapels and priests behind in the chapels.
Many nobles wish if not to be king, at least prince consort of the Queen.
Mary's serious mistake:
She had a claim on the English throne and Elizabeth who was illegitimate was concerned. Catholics supported Mary. Elizabeth was really shrewd: Married Mary to a worthless royalty (Richard Darnley) and revealed his worthlessness, weakened Mary's position. Worked like a charm. Darnley slept with male and female around, corrupted the court, worried the Lairds. Both of them imprisoned. Mary forced to abdicate. Mary's young son of few weeks old succeeded, became James VI of Scotland, who upon Elizabeth's death, became James I of England. Important figure in history. He was under Knox's influence, raised by Presbyterian tutors to be quite a theologian. However, James hated Presbyterians: Bishops were more respectful to monarchs than the Presbyterians.
James: "No Bishop; no King; if there's no hierarchy in the church, how can there be a hierarchy in the state? If the divine institution doesn't need a hierarchy, how can we argue that the civil institution needs a hierarchy?"
Godfrey agrees.
Darnley mysteriously died. The house in which he was staying under house arrest inexplicably found itself with a basement full of dynamite/gun powder. Blew up, so he was killed, but by strangulation. Very strange.
Mary fled to her dear cousin Elizabeth, who put her in jail for about 20 years and finally beheaded her.
Elizabeth didn't like to behead monarchs, but Mary became too dangerous, caught in correspondence with the King of Spain in plotting to invade England.
So Scotland was left with a young infant king. Allowing the reformation to spread. But the Lairds remained concerned about Knox's independence.
1572, one regent of Scotland stood at Knox's grave: "Here lies one who never feared or flattered any flesh."
One of Knox's last ministerial acts: Mounted the pulpit of the High Kirk in Edinburgh, in 1572, after news had come of the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre in France (some 50k protestants killed in France in a week). When Knox received the news, stood up in the pulpit of the High Kirk and shouted at the French Ambassador "Go home and tell your master, he is a murderer!"
Legacy of Scottish reformation: Courage, devotion, faithfulness under fire for the freedom of the church to preach the gospel.
A brief comment; Luther did eventually become antisemitic. He later wrote a treatise called 'On the Jews and their lies'. Some historians believe it helped fuel the 20th century holocaust. It may have been part of God's bigger plan for Israel.
All I know for now is that his motive on commenting against the Jews is not antisemitic. He's just frustrated at the hardness of the Jews. I might have done the same with faults though not out of antisemitic stand.
Haven't read that treatise, perhaps will do soon.
What constitutes being antisemitic ?
Jew haters in short. Jews are traditionally the biological progeny of the Hebrew culture, which is inherited from Shem, one of Noah's son.
Anti-Semitic, meaning Anti-Shemites, meaning hating Jews today. An example would be the Nazi's Holocaust.
Of course, today, many over-sensitive millennials redefined anti-Semitic as any criticism on the Hebrew culture. Too bad, by their definition, the Bible would be rather anti-semitic.
I think that God gets angry at all of us at different times . The OT prophets wrote about Him hating some of their holiday feasts .
The Reformed/Puritans gave us pretty well organized and thorough study into God's attributes and biblical foundation into understanding all that's happened in the Bible and history.
I think Jonathan Edwards was an American Reformed/Puritan. He seems to be very highly regarded by Evangelical Protestants. I spent a few years living in Massachusetts when I was much younger and read some local historical publications there and have a different personal impression about him.
Yea, Jonathan Edwards' consider one of the few American product who is reformed influenced. Wesley & Whitfield, Packer, etc. came to America, but they're not really considered Americans. Now, you've reminded me I need to get back on this course, I've been procrastinating a bit.
Was R.C. Sproul heavily influenced by the Reformed/Puritans ? - from what I've seen , he began the Ligonier ministries. Is there an internet site with alot of information about the Reformed/Puritans ?
I know Sproul considered himself Reformed. Heavily involved with RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary). There are still some disagreement with him among the reformed community, particularly in eschatology and apologetics. But you can say he's reformed in general, I guess. I don't know much of his background, but I think you can find it online. You can also watch his debate with John MacArthur (who also claimed himself sort of reformed) on infant baptism online.
The Reformed/Puritans site I use is puritanboard.com, for Q&A stuff. I don't know any other.
All the other sites I merely come across from friends and what not.
Hope that helps.