4. Negative Results of the Reformation
(A) Baptist Persecution. One of the greatest lies that has ever been perpetuated is the idea that somehow the Reformation was liberating for the already persecuted Baptists. This is far from the truth. Because Martin Luther was trained in the Augustinian theological system, a simple discovery of the role of faith would not undo his warped worldview. Luther was a dominion theologian. Even though he separated from the Catholic institution, the Catholic ideals of world conquest and dominion on behalf of God did not change in his mind. Because of this, he was a persecutor of our forefathers. This would be the case with other prominent Reformation leaders. Zwingli and Calvin were also of this viewpoint. Instead of the Reformation being liberating for the Baptists, it was detrimental to Baptist liberty. The Reformation caused it to be open season on the Baptists. Their enemies were multiplied from Roman persecution alone, to persecution by Rome, as well as by several Reformation groups.
1. William Pettingill wrote a helpful treatise concerning Protestant persecution of Baptists, in A Hangover from Rome.
“When the Reformation came, these Anabaptists or Antipedobaptists did all they could to help the Reformers; but when the Reformers came into power they turned against the Anabaptists and persecuted them as Rome had done and continued to do; and thus the troubles of the Anabaptists were increased instead of diminished, for now they had persecutors on both sides - from Romanism on one hand and from Protestantism on the other.
All honor to the great Reformers, but the truth must be told that in their reform they brought with them out of Rome the two hateful errors, union of church and state and infant baptism; and moreover when they had the power in their hands because of this union of church and state, they themselves became popes in their own realm and persecuted those who would not conform to their ways. The Lutheran church became the established church of Germany, and persecuted the Anabaptists for nonconformity. While Zwingli held power in Switzerland the Senate passed a law making infant baptism compulsory and providing that ‘if any presume to rebaptize those who were baptized before, they should be drowned,’ and at Vienna many Anabaptists were so tied together in chains that one drew the other after him into the river, wherein they were all suffocated. Calvin in his field, Cromwell in England, Knox in Scotland - these all stuck to the union of church and state and infant baptism, and used their power, when they had power, to seek to force others to conform with their own views.”
2. Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva by John Calvin on October 27, 1553. In Stephan Zweig’s book, ERASMUS:THE RIGHT TO HERESY, the following is documented: “The chains attached to the stake were wrapped four or five times around the poor wretch’s wasted body….The executioner kindled the faggots and the murder began. When the flames rose around him, Servetus uttered a dreadful cry…Jesus, son of the everlasting God have pity on me. The struggle with death lasted half an hour. The flames abated, the smoke dispersed, and attached to the blackened stake there remained, above the glowing embers, a black sickening, charred mass, a loathsome jelly, which had lost human semblance.”
3. From Hunted Heretic by R. H. Bainton, we gleen the following, “As Servetus screamed his way into eternity, Dr. John Calvin, ‘The greatest light in the world,’ was behind the doors of his study; he did not smell the odious, sickening stench of human flesh burned to an horrible pulp. The next Sunday this hypocrite, the famed theologian…went to church. Clad in his standard black cassock, he entered the pulpit and struggled to justify his dastardly deed before a vast congregation who sat cold, stunned, and fearfully silent.”
4. Limited space will not allow for a thorough discussion of the thousands of non-conformists persecuted by the Reformers. This subject will be revisited again in our discussion of the English Anabaptists.
(B) False doctrine produced by the Reformers has caused much confusion. Baptists throughout the years have been inundated with Protestant-based challenges to their doctrine. Can you name any protestant doctrines that Baptists have had to deal with and refute?
*Was Martin Luther a born-again believer?
v The question has often been asked, “Was Martin Luther saved?” The author has a strong opinion about Luther based on many hours of research and general reading. This opinion will not be presented here. However, let the reader ponder the following facts in order to form his own opinion.
1. Luther had an experience in which he discovered that “the just shall live by faith.”
2. Luther left dead religion and started his own state-church.
3. Luther held to infant baptism until his death.
4. Luther cruelly persecuted the church of the Lord Jesus Christ until his death.
Contrast the above facts with the life of the Apostle Paul.
1. Paul fell down in repentance and faith and was heartily converted.
2. Paul left dead religion and joined up with a true church.
3. Paul was beaten repeatedly for standing against false doctrine, including false views of baptism.
4. Paul quit persecuting the church of the Lord Jesus Christ the day he became a Christian.
v These are the basic facts. Now, you decide if you believe Luther was saved.
Truly these issues are best left to the Lord.
Back to archives