The Legacy of the Second Constantinian Shift and the Threat of Secularism

Recovering the First Reformation - Toward a Proto-Protestant Narrative of Church History (XIII)

Not all among the Czech Brethren and Waldensians greeted the Magisterial Reformation with joy. Some were alarmed and not a little put off by some of the ideas which they believed were being forced upon them by the Reformers. There was (at least in the case of the Cottian valleys) a degree of resentment with regard to the patronising attitude which they encountered from Guillaume Farel and what would become the Calvinist wing of the Reformation.

The Legacy of First Reformation Separatism versus Magisterial Protestantism's Establishment Ethos (1517-1914)

Recovering the First Reformation - Toward a Proto-Protestant Narrative of Church History (X)

There is value in a further elaboration of this contrast between the First and Magisterial Reformations and thus as an exercise it's worth briefly surveying the latter's historical and ethical legacy as it transitioned from the Renaissance era into modernity.

The First Reformation

Recovering the First Reformation - Toward a Proto-Protestant Narrative of Church History (VI)

Some would date the First Reformation to the era of The Great Schism (1378-1417) when the papacy was split between the Avignon and Rome factions. Lollardy proper (it is argued) arose in England during this period and Czech Hussitism arose immediately after it. The already established Waldensians also flourished during this era and some believe the period represents a first wave of doctrinal protest movements – a case of all of these groups (to varying degrees) appealing to the Scriptures to argue against the developments within Catholicism.

Dissent Before the Gregorian Reform and the Placement of Celtic Christianity

Recovering the First Reformation - Toward a Proto-Protestant Narrative of Church History (V)

The growing apostasy at work in the post-Constantinian period was challenged and it seems clear there was a lasting testimony of extra-Roman and anti-Roman resistance well into the Dark Ages. A dissenting geographic belt (deemed heretical by Rome) would appear cutting across the Pyrenees through Southern France and across the Alps into Northern Italy. With Switzerland serving as a knot, another branch roughly followed the course of the Rhine through Germany and the Low Countries.  

Christian Nonviolence and Pacifism: Some Badly Needed Clarifications (Part 4/Conclusion)

Apart from the Scriptural evidence that supports the nonviolent and pacifist position, there is a significant testimony to be found in Church History.

Proto-Protestantism: Narratives and Nomenclature (Part IV/Final)

Today, with the Culture Wars the emphasis is on continuity with the Middle Ages and the whole of Christendom. But even a generation ago this was not the case. Some claimed the proto-Protestant groups because of their anti-Catholicism. Some exploited them for nationalistic purposes and created narratives concerning the true faith being present in this or that land...a sort of 'God has always been with us' badge. Those that use them in this way show a lack of understanding, a failure to grasp what these groups were actually about. The Hussites of course would be something of an exception. There are always exceptions. This is the nature of history and exposes the problems of those who wish to use it for their own ends. Both the Taborites and Utraquists were nationalistic. And yet other Hussites weren't and the groups which formed after the dissolution of the Taborites were not. As always it's complicated.

Ecclesiology #4- A Theology of Means part 4

With regard to this whole concept of Means.....

What about the Proto-Protestants? What about the Church Fathers?

For me all of this came together at the same time. I remember reading the Church Fathers early on and being very frustrated.

For those unfamiliar with the Church Fathers, I'm talking about the Didache, the Epistle to Diognetus, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus and others.

Something of a Diatribe on Tombs, Monuments, Traditions and Authority

Over the past several days I have foolishly perhaps engaged in a little cyber-nudging... something I no longer do. I think things are rapidly degenerating in the Bible-believing Church, and though there's something of a remnant of thinking and discerning people. They are few. With the raging culture wars I like to see every once in a while how tightly people are wound. It's pretty bad out there.

I've visited a few websites and raised a point or two regarding Christmas and the larger principles in play. I have several observations, which stem from these principles.

They will be familiar to the frequent readers of this weblog.

Authority
Where do we go to derive Biblical truth? Christianity is not a get out of jail free card. It's not just about getting our sins forgiven, it's about being reconciled to God, our Creator, our Redeemer. Packer had it right...it's about Knowing God.

To know Him, we communicate, there's a relationship. He speaks to us...how? And we communicate with Him...how?

Answering Questions #5- Sola Scriptura, Literacy, and the Middle Ages

Getting some great questions...keep them coming.


Isn't Sola Scriptura anachronistic when placed in a medieval context? The people were illiterate and thus out of necessity they would be dependent on a Magisterium, a clerical ruling class. Whether or not it is the Biblical ideal, is it not unrealistic and historically inaccurate to ascribe this to the pre-Reform bodies?

Answering Questions #4- Protoprotestants and Sacralism

Who were the Protoprotestants?

Could you explain Sacralism a bit more?

Is there a difference between Sacralism and Constantinianism?

The Reformation: Romanticism and Reality

A few reflections concerning the Reformation.




Historians have long debated the reasons for the success of Martin Luther, Zwingli, and the other Reformers versus the failures of other per-Reform movements. Why did Luther succeed in 1517, but Hus fail in 1415?

Origins of Lollardy

The Lollards were a British manifestation of proto-Protestantism. Historians have often been baffled at the lack of 'heretical' activity in the British Isles while there was a long and vibrant tradition in existence on the continent.

There was basically one famous incident regarding some German Cathars who were captured and tried at Oxford during the High Middle Ages. The Cathars were the dualist sect rampant mostly in Southern France and largely exterminated in the 13th century crusade against them. Also known as the Albigensians there was some overlap with the Waldensians with whom they co-existed in the Heresy Belt……the region stretching from the frontiers of the Pyrenees across Languedoc, creeping northward toward the Cevennes, traversing the Cottian Alps and down into the Po valley in Italy…the lands of Savoy, Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Veneto.

There were plenty of other 'pockets'….but this region was notorious. From England other than the 1166 incident, there is silence until the mid-14th century.
How had England escaped the 'poison of heresy' for so long? At this point we encounter the difficulties so often associated with these types of groups. They were not in the mainstream in the sense that they would be leaving a mark on the historical record. Those who tend to be critical of the proto-protestants would argue there were none in England prior to John Wycliffe. But the argument is based on the fact that there are no records of heresy trials and/or Inquisitions. That's not proof. England is somewhat unique in that none of these things really appear until the early 15th century….a generation after Wycliffe's death. So, did it all begin with Wycliffe? Maybe, but maybe not.

What we can and cannot learn from the records of the Holy Office- The Inquisition

Much of the statistical data concerning Medieval Dissenters comes from the records of Inquisitors. This is unfortunate because it leaves the researcher with an interpretive dilemma. The data is too valuable to ignore but no one can pretend it isn't biased.

The mostly Dominican Inquisition originated in the 1200's and was largely an answer to the growing Cathar and Waldensian heresies which were coming to dominate large swathes of Southern France and Northern Italy. In fact these regions have long histories of dissent from the Roman order and the Papacy dating back to the early middle ages. Inquisitors were operating from a specific framework and sometimes their depictions of their victims can be misleading.

The Logistics of the Medieval Underground

It is critical to understand, the Medieval Underground was not a monolithic body. It manifested itself in many different ways and in diverse locales.

In times of Interdict, the heretics rejoice

updated July 2012

This is part one of four posts related to Nominalism.

Nominalism and Scepticism…Sacralism Wounded

Due to the historical setting and fallout, 14th century Nominalism is often considered a departure from the Aristotelian Thomism developed during the previous century. Philosophically it demolished any notions of concrete abstractions, with the universals or forms cast into unverifiable doubt. This created an environment of skepticism.

The Papal Schism began in 1378 and there are multiple reasons leading to the climate that allowed for the chaos which followed for the next couple of generations. Many point to the influences of Nominalism which had as it were, put a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths…….