The English Reformation arose more from politics than heart-felt faith. England’s King Henry VIII (1491-1547) felt that Pope Clement VII’s laws about marriage should not apply to him. He took England out of Rome’s control. In 1534, Henry’s parliament issued the Act of Supremacy. It re-confirmed Henry as “Supreme Head of the Church of England” and required all English nobles to recognize that title. Their action raises important questions. Is it parliament’s place to appoint anyone over the church? Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). If Jesus has His church, by what authority do men start their own churches? If Jesus is the church’s Head (Ephesians 1:22), what right does any man have to claim that role?
Aside from a new head, the Church of England or Anglican Church still looked Roman Catholic in much of its organization, ceremonies and doctrines. Henry’s daughter, Queen Mary I, briefly turned England back into a Catholic country. But her half-sister and rival, Elizabeth I, took the throne and re-established Anglicanism as the state religion. Freedom of religion was not allowed. To oppose the state’s “established” religion amounted to treason against the state itself. Yet, despite severe penalties, continental Europe’s reforms spread to the British Isles. For example, John Smythe and Thomas Helwys fled to Holland where they formed the Baptist Church (1606). On returning to England, Helwys started its first Baptist church (about 1612). Though influenced by Calvinism, the Baptists were so named for baptizing adults instead of babies. Anglican persecution of Baptists, Puritans (strict Calvinists) and others led groups of them to sail to North America to seek religious freedom, beginning in 1620. In time, Anglicanism evolved to appear less Roman Catholic and more Protestant, but its highest authority remains the current king or queen, along with the Archbishop of Canterbury. In America the same denomination is called the Episcopal Church. Bitter struggles stained the story of England. They also spilled over to distant lands as England grew into a world power.
BITTER STRUGGLES SPILLED ABROAD.
The Protestant Reformation broke Roman Catholicism’s hold on Europe. But it also unleashed many conflicts. Much of European history tells of wars between Catholic and Protestant nations, and wars between branches of Protestantism. Each aggressor claimed to represent Christ. Many in Europe, having tasted the bitter fruits of that sort of ‘Christianity,’ have rejected it. Today, magnificent cathedrals attract tourists, but few worshipers. Were some reformers pruning a bad tree? They re-shaped the tree, but the fruit was still bitter. There is a better tree, so to speak, the original tree planted by Jesus Himself. That tree is evergreen. Its fruit is “good”—both nourishing and delicious.
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:17-20)