THE ARMY OF GOD?

Have you studied church history? If so, do you remember the term counter-reformation? What was the counter-reformation? Who were the Jesuits? What role did they play? If you are unable to answer these questions, today’s program may help. I think you will be in for a surprise.

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There are many who don’t take the time to check out history. In today’s world it seems most people are just trying to get by. There are too many things to worry about with regard to the present. Why bother with history, they say.

I find history fascinating. Especially church history. Solomon tells us that history repeats itself. If that is the case, we should pay attention. Maybe we can learn something about the past that will help us understand what is happening today.

Some time ago, I decided it would be interesting to find out more about the Jesuits in light of current church trends that are happening within the body of Christ into today. As I am very interested in a period of church history called the counter-reformation, I purchased a book titled God’s Soldiers: Adventure, Politics, Intrigue and Power – History of the Jesuits [1] written by Johnathan Wright. What I have learned about the Jesuits has been fascinating.

Ignatius Loyola was the founder of the Jesuits (also known as the Society of Jesus) in 1540. According to Wright the reason this group of intellectual warriors was founded was to be an attack force on those who had broken away from Rome during the Reformation. Thus the term “God’s Soldiers.”

According to Wright, the Jesuits became the pope’s attack dogs. Their purpose was to counter the Reformation and the damage the reformers had done leading the faithful away from Rome. Quoting from the book:

What Protestants insulted Jesuits promoted – (for example, the blessed Sacrament, the consecrated bread reserved outside the celebration of the Eucharist; Jesuits displayed it to the faithful in forty hour rituals… Protestants grumbled about the Catholic obsession with the saints, Jesuits made sure that students at their schools prayed before images of their impeccably holy ancestors before they entered their classrooms. [2]

While the statement that I have just read may sound rather benign, there is much more to this picture. History shows the development of the Jesuit strategy went well beyond the defense of Roman Catholic dogmas and traditions. The conquest of those who opposed Rome by these “soldiers of God” included the countless premature deaths.

So, can’t we just forget about history? Why bring this up again at a time when the trend is for reconciliation? Can’t we just all get along in the body of Christ? 

I don’t see it that way. Perhaps it is because I have been called to be watchman along with my appreciation for history. I see the same ideas the Jesuits of old promoted, being reintroduced today. The promotion of the idea of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the move towards embracing the Roman Catholic saints is part and parcel of what is called the emerging church.

I wonder why these ideas are being promoted now? Is the counter-reformation still in operation? Are the Jesuits still being Jesuits?

I am Roger Oakland. This has been a biblical perspective to help Understand The Times.

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