The Return to Unity
Reformation and Society in Sixteenth-Century Europe. By A. G. Dickens. (Thames and Hudson, 35s.) TODAY there appears to be every chance that many future historians will consider our own age in terms of the- return to religious unity—a remarkable contrast to the ages which have pre- ceded it. There is thus the fascinating possi- bility that the whole of sixteenth-century religious history will have to be reconsidered in the light of this new movement towards church unity, and the seeds of reunification dormant in the sixteenth-century soil may thus one day have to be closely scrutinised by the historical micro- scope.
This is, of course, looking to the future, and crystal-gazing at that. Professor A. G. Dickens, in his new concise survey of the sub- ject, Reformation and Society in Sixteenth- Century Europe, is not faced with the problem of reassessment. But at the same time he is able in his conclusion to strike a more optimistic note than would have been possible previously in a book on this subject. He ends with a reference to the 'tasks of our century: the forging of institutional unions between Protes- tant churches, and the establishment of practical co-operation between the Protestant and Catholic worlds'; and he comments on 'a change of spirit which would have shocked former generations and which even twenty years ago seemed to lie in some future century.' This will bring com- fort to those who might otherwise have inspected the history of the Christian churches and con- cluded, in Swift's words, that 'we have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.'
Inevitably, the possibility of such co-operation between the churches arouses in one's mind the desire to understand more fully the reasons which divided them 400 years ago. The sixteenth century was a period of passionate religious fer- vour, when men's religion was of vital impor- tance to them: yet this very passion resulted in disunity and strife. Does passion inevitably lead to strife, rather than unity; and if so, are our modern efforts towards unity the products of fervour or of indifference? Thus Professor Dickens's book appears at a particularly timely moment, when the sixteenth century and its problems are particularly relevant. His own ver- dict, after weighing up the evidence, is that throughout its history 'Christianity was less threatened by free doctrinal speculation than by heresy-hunting on the one hand, and by mind- less indifference on the other'—a conclusion which has some relevance to the concept of Christian unity today. Professor Dickens him- self terms his work an 'essay.'
Obviously limitations of space must give it some of the qualities of such: a mere 200 pages of text, dotted with illustrations, is a small enclave in which to consider not only the life stories and works of such com- plex figures as Luther and Calvin, but also the social, political and intellectual influences which went towards their making. Nor does Pro- fessor Dickens stop here: he spreads his net both ways, to explain both the arrival of the Reformation and to describe its consequences. He considers the ancient faith, in order to show the forces at work which made the people of the sixteenth century particularly receptive to Luther's doctrines: it was not so much the prevalent anticlericalism which worked towards Luther's success, but two especial trends in the mediaeval Church. Neither what he terms the
'near-polytheism' of the Church, with its many saints and images, nor the semi-monastic religion of withdrawal and contemplation appealed to the new men: 'Men of courts and cities with increasing educational attainments and broaden- ing horizons . . . they welcomed a more clear- cut and combative attack on the problems of their age.' These again are words which have a familiar modern ring to them.
In considering Luther, and the greedy German society which fell upon his ideas, Professor Dickens is perhaps over-kind to Luther, pro- tecting him from the many criticisms which have been levelled against him, and which space does not always allow him to repeat. But his analysis of German society, and the different motives which animated the 'Evangelical Princes,' makes sense of this confusing period. Following on the careers of the Protestant leaders, he goes on to trace the influences of Puritanism, not only in England, where he considers it in relation to Anglicanism, but also across the Atlantic, where he traces it in nineteenth-century America. The influence of Protestantism on the structure of society throughout Europe is analysed, as well as the classical theme of religion and the rise of capitalism. Even the Counter-Reformation, and the way in which it reflected the dynamic course of the Reformation, is considered.
Professor Dickens has a lucid style, and it is a tribute to the clarity both of his mind and of his pen that these complex subjects, and the vast amounts of material involved in them, are so presented that one never suffers from mental indigestion while reading the book. Thus this book is, in effect, a comprehensive guidebook to the period for students and tourists of the sixteenth century. There is even a glossary of theological terms at the back, and a useful book list. And like many another guidebook, it leaves one eager for more prolonged discus- sion of the many subjects raised.
ANTONIA FRASER
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