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Last Word - Reformation
I never ceased to be amazed at the complications which can emerge when people (including me) persuade themselves that something inherently simple really needs to be studied very closely for possible error or meanings other than the obvious. What we call "The Reformation" is an example In a book entitled "Reformation" by Diarmaid MacCulloch (Allen Lane 2003, Penguin 2004) the author mentions many sources of reforming thought, including Egidio of Viterbo, a scholar who was, he says "....a passionate admirer of Jewish Cabbala and fascinated by the rediscovered hermetic tradition." He insisted (apparently) that Hebrew was the only sacred language in which one could meet God and that even Greek had distorted the divine message. This was, it seems, taken even further by Johannes Zeller from Trittenheim, who became Abbot of Sponheim. Under his guidance the library at Sponheim increased from 48 to about 2,000 volumes.
I will not follow this story further - the complications grew, so much so that Edigio's efforts to promote long-distance communication using angels as postmen are now, it seems, recognised as one of the original studies which led to codes and ciphers.
This is not an attempt to turn people away from the study of theology but it does, I suggest, warn us to listen and learn rather than argue and dispute. It was the scribes who muttered about blasphemy when Jesus told the paralytic man that his sins were forgiven. Jesus' response was not mere words but went further and became the act of healing which cured the paralysed man.
im, Christ is on that road, ready to walk with travellers. Many eyes are opened and many pilgrimages begin on that road.
Bob Mclean
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