This morning I was reading from The Reformation by T. M. Lindsay, and came to the section on the Scottish reformation. The circumstances which helped bring it about amused me!
Back in the Middle Ages, Scotland was - like most European countries - predominantly Catholic. One of the primary priorities of the Scottish church was the education of the laypeople, and to its credit, a significant number of the people there were literate. During the medieval times, the typical monastery was a formidable repository of learning - monks scrupulously transcribed ancient manuscripts and also wrote many books of their own. Those of Scotland were no exception.
Because of the high standards of the typical Scotsman's education, they began to attract attention from notables abroad. Over on the continent, Charlemagne, in his quest for re-establishing the Roman Empire, was busy setting up the schools which would over time grow into many of the renowned universities of Europe still existent today. He sent for the Scottish scholars to be teachers in his schools.
Slowly, the ideas of Huss, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and others began to trickle into the universities. One by one the Scotsmen brought them back home with them. Before long, Presbyterianism had gained a considerable presence in the country.
Isn't it deliciously ironic that the Roman Catholic Church was a significant aid in bringing the Protestant Reformation - its nemesis - to Scotland? It reminds me of the story of Joseph and his brothers - they tried to kill him, but he turned around and became the second in command of Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at that time.
This is why I love history. In a nutshell, it's the study of God's providence. Seeing what God has done in the lives of others - how He works everything out perfectly for His glory and the good of those who love Him - makes me readier to face what He has in store for me.
.....and of course, as in this case, it can be pretty entertaining as well. :-)
Back in the Middle Ages, Scotland was - like most European countries - predominantly Catholic. One of the primary priorities of the Scottish church was the education of the laypeople, and to its credit, a significant number of the people there were literate. During the medieval times, the typical monastery was a formidable repository of learning - monks scrupulously transcribed ancient manuscripts and also wrote many books of their own. Those of Scotland were no exception.
Because of the high standards of the typical Scotsman's education, they began to attract attention from notables abroad. Over on the continent, Charlemagne, in his quest for re-establishing the Roman Empire, was busy setting up the schools which would over time grow into many of the renowned universities of Europe still existent today. He sent for the Scottish scholars to be teachers in his schools.
Slowly, the ideas of Huss, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and others began to trickle into the universities. One by one the Scotsmen brought them back home with them. Before long, Presbyterianism had gained a considerable presence in the country.
Isn't it deliciously ironic that the Roman Catholic Church was a significant aid in bringing the Protestant Reformation - its nemesis - to Scotland? It reminds me of the story of Joseph and his brothers - they tried to kill him, but he turned around and became the second in command of Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at that time.
This is why I love history. In a nutshell, it's the study of God's providence. Seeing what God has done in the lives of others - how He works everything out perfectly for His glory and the good of those who love Him - makes me readier to face what He has in store for me.
.....and of course, as in this case, it can be pretty entertaining as well. :-)
Yes, at the same time, I'm sure the Catholic church there did it's best to keep the scriptures away from people, telling them that "only a Priest can understand what scripture means, so don't try doing so on your own". Many Catholic churches in this era even kept the bibles chained-down to the pulpit, so nobody could borrow, buy, or take it home. Thank God, He sovereignly worked through men like John Knox to get the scriptures into the hands of the common man, and then YES - get those educated people reading them. Thanks for the wonderful history nuggest Sarah!
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