On Friday morning, we ended our classes on “Church History” by covering the English Reformation Movement and efforts in history to go back to the original gospel.
Our Thursday classes had ended with an overview of the background to the English Reformation Movement, so we started Friday by going into some detail of the work done by John Wycliffe in his early efforts to translate the NT into English and how he was limited by the a lack of access to much manuscript evidence so as to depend on the Latin Vulgate. We then covered the work by William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale and others who also produced English translation and then noted the work of those translating the King James version and the publication of that work. These were aided by a greater access to manuscripts of the NT in the original Greek. Our point was to show how the major power behind the English Reformation was distinct from the efforts at Reformation from the European mainland. The major force behind the English Reformation was the fact that the English Bible was available for the multitudes to read.
We also noted the political factors giving rise to the English Reformation. We noticed the refusal of the pope to give an annulment to King Henry VIII to dissolve the union between him and Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of the King and Queen of Spain who were ardent supporters of the Catholic Church and very close to the pope. So, Henry VIII declared the Catholic Church had no control of matters in England, confiscated its property (about 25% of the total land in England) and proclaimed the creation of the Church of England. We then noted the parts played by following monarchs of the English throne (James, Mary, Elizabeth I and James) had in efforts to defend, destroy and finally confirm the power of the Church of England (also called the Anglican or Episcopal Church).
Our final session before the classes ended at noon was spent in examining efforts in history of going back to the original gospel. We noted some in England that preceded the American “Restoration Movement.” Then we looked at the work in American where different men (like James O’Kelly, Abner Jones, Barton W. Stone, Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, Jacob Creath Sr, John O’Kane, “Racoon” John Smith, etc.) came to the same principles by simply going back to the Scriptures. We also examined some of their failures when they returned to denominational thinking and practices like the centralization in societies and various human organizations, instrumental music in worship, doctrinal errors, factionalism and other mistakes.
Lastly, we covered efforts in the Philippines by a number of men who left denomination organizations and doctrines to simply go back to the teachings of the gospel.
I believe that the classes have done much good as the students actively participated throughout the five days and were very open in expressing their thanks to all in the U.S. who had helped make the classes possible, as I do as well. (The last picture on the blog page shows them all giving a “thumbs up” as a sign of their thanks!) Throughout the classes, we made every effort to tie both the progress towards truth and departures from truth to specific passages in the NT teaching on that principle. This was the first opportunity that many of them have had to engage in such studies and they repeatedly expressed that it will be very helpful in their efforts to spread the gospel here in the Philippines.
After the classes, I returned to the hotel and was ready for some much needed sleep. After eating supper, I laid down on the bed a little before 8pm to relax a few moments before writing the report and posting it to my blog. The next thing I knew, I woke up at 4:30am this morning. After getting back to bed and under the covers, I slept until 9:30am. As I get older, the long nights of preparation (sometimes until 1 or 2am) are getting harder to do. Even so, the enthusiasm of the students to learn and seeing their growth invigorates me beyond words! Thanks again to all who made these efforts possible. The costs keep rising, but I believe the benefits are worth it!
Tonight, the Lord willing, I fly to Bacolod on the island of Negros for three days of preaching there. Jack Jaco and his wife, Adel, will be working with me during those efforts. Please keep us in your prayers. God bless!
