Church History: 10/20/2022

Greg Allison’s Historical Theology. Zondervan, 2011.(439-443). Prof. Allison retails the division of the East from the West over the filioque clause. Bede, Anselm especially, the 4th Lateran Council, and Aquinas continued to prosecute Augustine’s double procession. We view it more as the complaint by the Greeks about non-involvement and Romanist unilateralism than an exegetical argument. Anselm carried the day although Bede shows the early adoption of Augustine on the issue. The shift moves from the medieval to the Reformation and Post-Reformation period that stressed the Holy Spirit and the Word as linked and necessary to divine operations. Calvin in his glorious Institutes will additionally add the internal work of the Spirit in Self-Authentication by God to His own Word in His people. One hears of divine election in the background recognizing God’s sovereignty over the Church, ministry of the Word and the sacraments. That will bear fruit in WCF 1 which can’t be improved and to which all communions should get a “realignment,” Anglicans included. McNiell, John Thomas. The History and Character of Calvinism. New York: Oxford University Press, 1962. (241-245). Dr. McNeill continues to speak of the French bloodbaths across the nation under Francis 1 and his son Henry 2. Many stood for the faith. Some became believers but Nicodemites meeting in privates. Others fled. Another outbreak against the peaceful Waldensians occurred. 1000s died. Calvin’s “Institutes” went to his first printing in 1536 that go some theological coherence to the movement. This is far, far worse than the Marian persecutions. Charles V is in the game too. The Spanish Inquisition was now a French operation. It’s one horrible story and infamous stain on the Papist outfit.