17
August 1560 A.D. Scottish
Parliament Ratified Reformed Confession of Faith
Graves,
Dan. “Scottish Parliament Ratified Protestant Confession.” Christianity.com. Jun 2007.
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1501-1600/scottish-parliament-ratified-protestant-confession-11630002.html. Accessed 17 May 2014.
There
could be no mistaking the Scottish reformers' feelings about the leadership of
the old tradition. "Not one of Scotland's Catholic priests is legally a
minister--not if we go by God's word, the practice of the apostles, and their
own ancient laws. They are all thieves and murderers. Yes, they are even rebels
and traitors to the legal authority of empires, kings and princes. We stand
here ready to prove it ourselves. They shouldn't be allowed in any reformed
commonwealth."
The Protestants in Scotland were
insisting that their nation's Parliament take action to reform the nation's
faith. The sixteenth century reformation on the European continent had spread
to Scotland. After serious suffering, the Protestants, led by John Knox, gained
the upper hand. Now they wanted to capitalize on their gains.
On August 13, 1560, Parliament
agreed. (In those days, a nation's religion was set by its
rulers.) The legislators instructed the Protestants to prepare a plain account
of the doctrines with which they wanted to replace the old Catholic teachings.
Parliament would establish these as the only wholesome and true doctrines
"necessary to be believed and received" within Scotland.
John Knox, who was Scotland's
leading reformer, and five other ministers also named John went to work. These
were John Winram, John Spottiswoode, John Willock, John Douglas, and John Row.
In just four days they had the Scots Confession ready.
On this day, August 17, 1560, Knox and his helpers presented the Scots Confession to Parliament. The
entire document was read through twice out loud for the legislators. The
solidly Calvinistic document consisted of twenty-five short chapters, each of
which was substantiated with scripture quotations. Topics included the doctrine
of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; mankind's origin and sin; the role of
the church; good works; the relation of church and state; the law; the future
life; and more. As with most such confessions, the nature and work of Christ
received the most attention. For example, here is its short chapter on Christ's
resurrection (with spelling and language modernized):
"We believe without doubt
that, since it was impossible that the sorrows of death should keep in bondage
the Author of life, that our Lord Jesus Christ crucified, dead, and buried, who
descended into hell, did rise again for our justification; and destroying him
who was the author of death [i.e.: Satan], brought life again to us that were
subject to death and to its bondage. We know that his resurrection was
confirmed by the testimony of his very enemies [and] by the resurrection of the
dead, whose tombs did open, and they did arise and appear to many within the
city of Jerusalem. It was also confirmed by the testimony of angels, and by the
senses and judgments of his apostles, and of others, who had conversation, and
did eat and drink with him after his resurrection."
During the Parliamentary
readings, the six Johns stood by, ready to answer any question. According to
Knox, the Catholic bishops who were present did not raise any objections.
Perhaps they recognized that public opinion was against them.
By an overwhelming margin,
Parliament ratified and approved the document, declaring it to be sound
doctrine grounded upon the infallible truth of God. The few who voted against
it gave as their reason, "We will believe as our fathers believed."
Bibliography:
1. Knox, John. The History of the Reformation of Religion within the Realm of Scotland;
edited for popular use by C. J. Guthrie. London: A. and C. Black, 1905.
2. Loetscher, Lefferts A. A Brief History of the Presbyterians.
Phiadelphia: Westminster Press, 1983.
3. Scots Confession; A. D. 1560 - John Knox.
http://www.creeds.net/Scots/scots.htm.
4. Whitley, Elizabeth. Plain Mr. Knox. John Knox Press, 1960.
Last updated June,
2007
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