On Mondays we want to encourage discussion about Church history. There’s a big difference between “Reformation” and “Secession.” Many Protestants think of one Reformation in which people decided to leave Rome and set up what they would view as “true Christianity.” Yet Gonzalez reminds us that at its heart “reformation” does not require departure. While there have been several reformational moves which resulted in the creation of new organizations outside of an existing church body, there have also been many reformational moves which did not result in a departure from the “parent” group. Here he discusses several reformational moves which remained within the context of the Roman church.
Mondays are for Church History - 11/7/16
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. Revised and Updated ed. Vol. 2. New York: HarperCollins, 2010b. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 12 “The Catholic Reformation” Loc. 2201-2427.
Gonzalez points out that there were reform movements within the bounds of the Roman church as well as in Protestantism (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2209). Isabella of Spain worked for reform, especially in the training of pastors and in appointments of bishops (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2217). With her confessor, later archbishop Francisco Jimenez de Cisneros, she worked to reform monasteries, convents, and Universities (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2231). Though this was a reform movement, Gonzalez notes it was not engaged in doctrinal change. The Catholic Reformation was strictly dedicated to traditional Roman doctrine (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2253).As the Protestant Reformation began, it was the Catholic reformers who especially affirmed Roman doctrine. Among these, Gonzalez focuses on Robert Bellarmine and Caesar Baronius (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2267). Bellarmine, a systematics specialist, and Baronius, who was a historian, made foundational arguments for Roman doctrine as opposed to Protestantism (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2274). Several new and strict monastic orders arose in the 16th century, in fact (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2281). Teresa of Avila, the famous mystic, came from the group of new monastics (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2289). Ignatius of Loyola was also involved in responding to civil challenges of Christianity (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2319).
Additionally, there were some moves toward reform within the papacy (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2365). While some of the 16th century popes were reform minded, others were not. In this vein the Council of Trent was called in 1545. The council considered the doctrines of the Protestant Reformation in detail (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2396). The council remained active, though with frequent long recesses, until completing its work in 1563 (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2403).
All the work of Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry, including this blog, is supported by the generosity of people like you. Please consider joining our team of prayer and financial supporters. Read more here!
Mondays are for Church History - 11/7/16
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. Revised and Updated ed. Vol. 2. New York: HarperCollins, 2010b. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 12 “The Catholic Reformation” Loc. 2201-2427.
Gonzalez points out that there were reform movements within the bounds of the Roman church as well as in Protestantism (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2209). Isabella of Spain worked for reform, especially in the training of pastors and in appointments of bishops (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2217). With her confessor, later archbishop Francisco Jimenez de Cisneros, she worked to reform monasteries, convents, and Universities (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2231). Though this was a reform movement, Gonzalez notes it was not engaged in doctrinal change. The Catholic Reformation was strictly dedicated to traditional Roman doctrine (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2253).As the Protestant Reformation began, it was the Catholic reformers who especially affirmed Roman doctrine. Among these, Gonzalez focuses on Robert Bellarmine and Caesar Baronius (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2267). Bellarmine, a systematics specialist, and Baronius, who was a historian, made foundational arguments for Roman doctrine as opposed to Protestantism (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2274). Several new and strict monastic orders arose in the 16th century, in fact (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2281). Teresa of Avila, the famous mystic, came from the group of new monastics (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2289). Ignatius of Loyola was also involved in responding to civil challenges of Christianity (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2319).
Additionally, there were some moves toward reform within the papacy (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2365). While some of the 16th century popes were reform minded, others were not. In this vein the Council of Trent was called in 1545. The council considered the doctrines of the Protestant Reformation in detail (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2396). The council remained active, though with frequent long recesses, until completing its work in 1563 (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 2403).
All the work of Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry, including this blog, is supported by the generosity of people like you. Please consider joining our team of prayer and financial supporters. Read more here!
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