Keepers of the Flame (The Reformers) - 02

Summary

This script traces the history and impact of the Reformation, highlighting key figures like Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox. It covers their teachings, struggles, and the spread of Reformation ideas across Europe. The narrative also touches on the persecution of Protestants, the rise of religious conflicts, and the eventual victory of the Protestant cause. Notable events such as the Spanish Armada's defeat and the Pilgrims' journey to the New World are woven into the story, illustrating how the Reformation continued to evolve, influencing future generations and shaping modern Christian movements.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Waldensian motto, found inscribed in churches today, serves as a reminder of the faithful and blood-stained witness of those who stood against corruption and false teachings throughout history.
• 😀 The Reformation began in Switzerland with Ulrich Zwingli, who preached against indulgences and emphasized salvation through faith in Christ alone, independent of the Roman Catholic Church.
• 😀 John Calvin played a pivotal role in spreading Reformed faith, establishing Geneva as a center of the Reformation and attracting students from across Europe to spread Reformation principles.
• 😀 John Knox, influenced by the martyrdom of George Wishart, played a key role in the Scottish Reformation and identified the papal Anti-Christ, continuing the legacy of reformers like Luther and Calvin.
• 😀 In Scotland, the Reformation was solidified in 1560 with the Scottish Parliament adopting a Protestant confession of faith, despite opposition from Catholic monarchs like Mary Queen of Scots.
• 😀 The confrontation between John Knox and Queen Mary at Holyrood Palace became a defining moment in the survival of the Reformation in Scotland, emphasizing the importance of conscience and Scripture over royal authority.
• 😀 The English Reformation, initially political under Henry VIII, became more doctrinal with the rise of reformers like Ridley, Latimer, and Cranmer, who were martyred for their beliefs.
• 😀 The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 was seen as a divine victory for Protestant England, and Queen Elizabeth celebrated this victory by urging her subjects to give thanks to God.
• 😀 The Pilgrim Fathers, who sailed aboard the Mayflower in 1620, were motivated by their desire for religious freedom and the continuation of the Reformation's principles in the New World.
• 😀 The Reformation’s legacy continued through the Puritans, who sought further light and truth, contributing to the rise of a new religious movement in early 19th-century America that aimed to restore biblical teachings.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Waldensian motto?

The Waldensian motto, 'Black's loose it into me breasts like,' serves as a silent reminder of the Waldensians' faithful and often blood-stained witness over the centuries. It symbolizes the struggles of those whose faith set them against the corruptions of the professing Church.

How did Ulrich Zwingli contribute to the Reformation in Switzerland?

Ulrich Zwingli began the Reformation in Switzerland a year before Luther's theses were nailed to the church door. He preached against the sale of indulgences and emphasized that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone.

What was John Calvin's influence on the Reformation?

John Calvin, who was deeply influenced by his study of scripture, established Geneva as a center for the Reformed faith. He wrote 'Institutes of the Christian Religion,' which became one of the most influential works of the Reformation, and sought to make Geneva a model Christian city.

How did John Knox contribute to the Reformation in Scotland?

John Knox, a disciple of Calvin, brought the Reformation to Scotland after witnessing the martyrdom of George Wishart. He preached against the papacy and helped establish the Protestant faith in Scotland, notably through his confrontation with Mary Queen of Scots.

What was the role of Queen Mary in the Reformation in Scotland?

Queen Mary, who was Roman Catholic, sought to re-establish Catholicism in Scotland, clashing with Protestant leaders like John Knox. She summoned Knox to Holyrood Palace, where a dramatic confrontation occurred about the authority of religion.

How did the persecution of Protestants in England manifest under Mary Tudor?

Under Mary Tudor's reign, England saw fierce persecution of Protestants, with over 300 Protestants burned at the stake. This period of persecution is often referred to as the Marian Persecutions.

What was the significance of the martyrdom of Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer?

Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer were burned at the stake for their Protestant beliefs. Their martyrdom symbolized the fierce opposition to Catholicism and their unwavering faith, epitomized by Latimer’s famous words, 'Be of good cheer, brother Ridley.'

What happened after the Spanish Armada's defeat in 1588?

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, a key victory for Protestant England, significantly weakened Catholic powers in Europe. It led to widespread thanksgiving, and Queen Elizabeth I’s reign marked the start of England’s Golden Age.

What role did the Puritans and Separatists play in the religious movements of the 17th century?

The Puritans and Separatists were key groups in the 17th-century religious movements in England. They were persecuted for their beliefs and many emigrated to Holland before sailing to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620, where they helped establish Protestant principles in the New World.

What is the biblical concept of the 'remnant' in Revelation 12:17?

The 'remnant' refers to the faithful group of believers who maintain loyalty to God and His Word despite widespread apostasy. In the context of Revelation 12:17, it represents the spiritual descendants of the woman (the church) in the end times, following the Reformation period after 1798.