Many things caused the variety of underlying currents that formed the Reformation. No less within the framework of the Church of England with strong Roman Catholic factions advocating traditional thought and Reformists seeking radical change. Among those championing change, the most influential was Most Reverend Thomas Cranmer. He embraced Protestant thought and did not want the Church of England to revert to distinctive Roman Catholic teaching. His rationale and intellectual thought is seen in much of his writings. His actions and thoughts at times shows us a devious and sometimes cruel man. Yet, in that age of tumultuous theological turmoil that seemed the norm throughout Europe, too often the ends justified the means. So whether it was Martin Luther, Thomas Cranmer, John Calvin or the Bishop of Rome, the actions they or their followers took in their name cannot be justified in our culture or thought. However, given the days they lived, their actions may have been the status quo.
Here is a paragraph that kind of sums up the times the Most Reverend Thomas Cranmer lived.
“Cranmer’s fate has been peculiarly hard. Living in evil days, and exposed, after his death, to the malice of evil tongues, he has suffered in almost every part of his reputation. ‘Papists’ have impeached the sincerity, while Protestants have doubted the steadfastness of his principles; and a too general idea seems to prevail that his opinions were ever fluctuating, or at least were so flexible as to have rendered him little better than a weak instrument in the hands of those who possessed more talent and more consistency. But, if we are to be guided by the result of his ministration, the fact was far otherwise. He was, in truth, the chief promoter and ablest advocate for the Reformation, planning it with the discretion of a prudent, and the zeal of a good man, and carrying it on towards perfection with a firmness, a wisdom, and liberality which obtained for him (by those who value the result of his labours) no less credit for the endowments of his head, than for the impressions of his heart.”1
Richard Lawrence, LL.D., “Bampton Lectures,” pp. 23, 24 (a.d.1804). Third edition. Oxford, 1838.
Whatever you think of the man, I see a man of keen thought and insight, but whose flaws in life and lifestyle made him shortsighted and less effective in the long term. Nevertheless, his mark on the Church of England and the Reformation cannot be underestimated.
Here is a paragraph that kind of sums up the times the Most Reverend Thomas Cranmer lived.
“Cranmer’s fate has been peculiarly hard. Living in evil days, and exposed, after his death, to the malice of evil tongues, he has suffered in almost every part of his reputation. ‘Papists’ have impeached the sincerity, while Protestants have doubted the steadfastness of his principles; and a too general idea seems to prevail that his opinions were ever fluctuating, or at least were so flexible as to have rendered him little better than a weak instrument in the hands of those who possessed more talent and more consistency. But, if we are to be guided by the result of his ministration, the fact was far otherwise. He was, in truth, the chief promoter and ablest advocate for the Reformation, planning it with the discretion of a prudent, and the zeal of a good man, and carrying it on towards perfection with a firmness, a wisdom, and liberality which obtained for him (by those who value the result of his labours) no less credit for the endowments of his head, than for the impressions of his heart.”1
Richard Lawrence, LL.D., “Bampton Lectures,” pp. 23, 24 (a.d.1804). Third edition. Oxford, 1838.
Whatever you think of the man, I see a man of keen thought and insight, but whose flaws in life and lifestyle made him shortsighted and less effective in the long term. Nevertheless, his mark on the Church of England and the Reformation cannot be underestimated.
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