Reformation

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After reading a fair amount of info (much of it protestant) on the reformation, I must admit that I still don't understand how these men, many former priests who started out with reform, not revolution, at heart became so drunk with their newfound power that they started committing the same horrible acts (burning heretics, etc.) as the leadership they were revolting against. Can anyone enlighten me? Any suggested reading would also be helpful.

-- mark advent (adventm5477@earthlink.net), May 08, 2004

Answers

Bump!

-- Anon (Bump@bump.com), May 08, 2004.

Here are some recommendations from historian Matthew Bunson at EWTN:

I would recommend The Reformation (Penguin History of the Church, 3) by Owen Chadwick and Dr. Warren Carroll’s The Cleaving of Christendom; How the Reformation Happened by Hilaire Belloc; and The Facts About Luther by Msgr. Patrick F. O'Hare.

You might find the following titles also useful: Great Heresies, and Characters of the Reformation: Historical Portraits of the 23 Men and Women and Their Place in the Great Religious Revolution of the 16th Century by Hilaire Belloc; and Triumph by H.W. Crocker.



-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), May 09, 2004.


I Agree with Bill. I have read "How the Reformation Happened," by Hilaire Belloc, and found it to be very helpful. I also have heard that "Characters of the Reformation," by Belloc is a good one as well, and I plan to read it in the future.

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), May 09, 2004.

Mark has made a remark here not well thought out: ''-- at heart became so drunk with their newfound power that they started committing the same horrible acts (burning heretics, etc.) as the leadership they were revolting against.''

The Catholic Church didn't commit horrible acts. If Mark has in mind the Inquisition, he must realise the burning of heretics wasn't assigned to leaders of the Church. It was state sponsored administration of justice; and not a Church doctrine. The Catholic heirarchy was involved during trials, and some priests acted as accomplices where they shouldn't have. But God the Holy Spirit is who guides the Church in the world. He was no executioner, and neither were his people. Society was the main procurer of justice in these times, and all society, even in the west, favored barbarous trials by ordeal and cruel executions.

The Catholic Church effectively administered more mercy than justice during those times; and eventually helped society change its ways.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), May 09, 2004.


Thanks fellows.

Eugene- Maybe my misconception of what was going on and how the Church was involved (or not involved) is due to my limited knowledge of world history. Can you recommend a book, preferably an overview for now, that expands on your post?

-- mark advent (adventm5477@earthlink.net), May 09, 2004.



mark, check out the Catholic Encyclopedia on the Reformation: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12700b.htm

If you're looking for a critical Catholic view, there is also Hans Kung's History of the Catholic Church.

Before I get slammed for recommending Kung's book, let me say: Kung's political view of the Papacy is very negative. He does not hide it. It does give a concise history, however.

Garry Wills, Why I am a Catholic is also a critical book. But, Wills is a historian and is very meticulous. If you read Wills as a historian and sift out his politics, it's not bad.

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), May 09, 2004.


Mark,

It helps to look at the Medieval period like this. The Church only seemed to be a very powerful institution. Its power was only there because it was being used for a political end of other major political powers; France, Spain, Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire (Germany).

I would also recommend a book. The Papal Princes by Glenn Kittler. While it follows the development of the College of Cardinals, it also deals with many issues that the Church was facing.

-- Scott (papasquat10@hotmail.com), May 09, 2004.


You overstate your case Scott. In the middle ages Spain and Italy did not exist as nations, and France was much smaller and weaker than today. Whilst political rulers did use the church for their own ends, it was also not uncommon for the Church to effectively decide who would rule a country.

-- Peter K (ronkpken@yahoo.com.au), May 10, 2004.

Mark,

Another good book is HW Crocker's "Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church." From what I've read, it presents a Catholic perspective of history from the Apostles to present day.

-- Andy ("aszmere@earthlink.net"), May 11, 2004.


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