THE REFORMATION-a review

The Reformation

-Diarmaid MacCulloch

(See him on Wikipedia)

Penguin Books 2005

This powerful book “should  become the definitive history of the Reformation.” We get a vivid picture of the major players of the Protestant reformation and the Counter-Reformation of the Roman Church. There is no bashing of Rome or the Protestants. They both had great faults and great wisdom.

Over sixty years ago in seminary we studied Erasmus, Luther, Zwingli and Calvin and Henry VIII. We read about the popes and the problems of the Roman Church. Reading this book brings memories, new insights and wonderful fresh biographies of the all the major figures. MacCulloch depicts the brave virtues and ghastly faults of the reformation figures.

Zwingli was a pacifist and died a warrior in a ferocious war. Luther was a great theologian but urged the Peasants Revolt ended by slaughter. Various popes sought to preserve Roman faith by massacres of perceived heretics.

There is also a discussion of the Renaissance, the reformation, humanism and science. The debates about the real presence, purgatory, indulgences, sacraments are presented fairly and often with humour.

The importance of the printing press and how information spread for the first time history. The discussions of the entanglement of religion and politics, the apocalypse, the Kingdom of God and a just society are so clear and simplified. Not simple but written in language we can understand.

There are wonderful sections on love and sex, sodomy, celibacy, manners and  the family. There is the movement toward choices in religion. We have those choices today but it was a long time coming.

Those with an interest in history, religion and society will enjoy and learn from The Reformation. It isa book to be read carefully by people willing to learn lots more about what we think we know about Catholics, Protestants, Anglicans, the Eastern Orthodox and Jewish history during these years. I realised how little I knew or even understood about those years and their affect on our lives today

I read it on my iPad because of my poor eye sight. The real book is solid and an endless resource, encyclopaedia and reference. I bought the book just to keep around and dip into.

RWC

Santa Cruz WEEKEND

We had a fine weekend in Santa Cruz. Sun and Sand Motel had a big room and glorious ocean view. The building  has a 1950s look that needed up grading. But it was clean and had the necessary amenities. Second floor and no elevator. No stairway light at night. A bit inconvenient but bearable. We arrived on Friday afternoon and on Saturday we took a walk-on he pier, 1/2mile out, 1/2 mile back agin. 

The pier stretches out over this portion of Santa Cruz Bay, It is solid and wide enough that cars can drive all the way and find parking. The walkway is separated from the traffic so there is little noise or smell. The fresh wind takes care of the  monoxide. Solid fences along the pier make it easy to lean over and watch swimmers and elephant seals, all brown and sleek.

We saw a dozen swimmers who are lifeguards in training splashing through the green water in their black sweat suits, hats and goggles. We chatted with some college age young people who were very friendly and informative about the swimmers and their high school and surrounding area. We were early enough so that we were not crowded by pedestrians.

Soon we came to shops selling bait and tee shirts and post cards. There are at least five restaurants all specialising in chowder, fresh fish and French fries. We soon came to the end of the pier and sat for a while watching the sea. Then we noticed the loud honking of the seals. The piper is a resting place during their migration. You a re going to ask migrating from where to where. I don’t know but I’ll bet Ann does.

There are 4 white fenced areas with 5x5 square foot holes in the pier to peer down not the squawking seals. One can see them slipping and sliding and gambolling in the waters below.

The water stretches to the horizon making us think of our cruises where the sea seems like all there is. We walked back enjoying the fresh breezes and sea smells It was only 11 am but we ate lunch anyway. Ann had a delicious multi-colored salad with greens, eggs, apple and God knows what. I had a chowder and a non-vegetarian chilli.

We lurched home to the motel for a 2 hour nap. We also had a middle Eastern lamb dinner Friday night and and in an Italian restaurant Saturday evening. Quite good.

Santa Cruz is an easy 1 1/2 hour drive down the coast from SF. We’d like to go again for quick get-a-ways a couple of times a year.

I really do not want to take long plane rides to exotic places. I do not mind staying close to SF. Palm Springs and Utah cabin are short doable flights. Going to the eat coast is a real problem for me. I suppose I’d go to funerals of close family members.