Modern Scholarship and the Papacy
MODERN scholarship in the line of historical research is showing a tendency to ally itself with the papacy. Attention is called to this by the Literary Digest, which cites in evidence two recent literary productions, one a discussion on the Jesuits, by Professor Zöckler, in a new edition of the Herzog Encyclopedia, and the other a three-volume work on the Spanish Inquisition, by Professor Schaefer, of the University of Rostock. In these productions it is made to appear that the Protestant view handed down by the Reformers touching the character of these instruments of the papacy, is grossly exaggerated. The following is given as the substance of Professor Schaefer’s assertions regarding the Inquisition: — An unbiased examination of the official documents pertaining to the Spanish Inquisition shows that the current view held by the Protestants on this matter is at least grossly exaggerated. While it is indeed true that Catholic scholars are mistaken in their effort to show that the Inquisition was the tool not of the church but of the state, it is equally true that the Protestant pictures of the illegal persecutions practiced by the church leaders are at least overdrawn. . . . A close examination of the acts of ten districts of the Spanish Inquisition shows that the forms of order and law were observed in all the trials managed by the Inquisition fathers. Witnesses were heard on both sides, those charged with heresy were permitted to defend themselves, and legal procedure was observed throughout, although modern ideas cannot approve some of the methods applied, such as the use of torture, which sprang from the character of the ages; nor can it be shown that the church was not guilty of inciting the Inquisition fathers against Protestantism. But justice requires that the ideas entertained in many Protestant circles concerning the character of the work of the Inquisition be modified. It has long been the studied effort of Rome to modify the Protestant view of the character and work of the papacy in the period of its supremacy, and to convince the world that Protestant historians have grossly exaggerated the truth. An admission by the Protestant scholars that this contention is true will do much to aid her in this work, and to accelerate the movement which is drawing the Protestant and papal camps together.