The Inquisition is often thought of as just an event. However, it was both an event and an office within the Roman Catholic Church. The earliest evidence of this office comes from the 12th c. and Pope Lucius III. The purpose of The Inquisition was to root out heresy and teachings that went contrary to the Catholic church.
Inquisitors would publish their arrival in town, causing shudders to run down the spines of the towns people. Their presence was precipitated by a letter of accusation from someone in the town, declaring that there was a heretic among them. The Inquisitors gave you the opportunity to admit and recant of your heresy. Admissions could have been dealt with through fines or beatings. If you refused to recant, you were brought before a tribunal where you received no counsel, never faced your accuser, nor were able to offer a defense. Those found guilty could face great torture and gruesome executions.
Astronomer and inventor Galileo Galilei became the latest victim of the Inquisition on this day in 1633. He was arrested in Pisa, Italy and arrived in Rome to begin a series of inquisitions. His fame perhaps spared him of death or severe torture. However, after the final time of questioning in June of that year, he was found guilty of “vehement suspicions of heresy”1 and sentenced to live out the rest of his life imprisoned which was commuted to house arrest. The publication and possession of any of his books was banned. What great heresy had this man committed?
He declared that the Earth revolved around the Sun and backed earlier claims of another astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus, of a heliocentric model of the solar system.
At the end of the trials, Galileo allegedly recanted his beliefs that the Earth moves around the Sun but as he turned to go, he muttered under his breath, “And yet it moves.”
Imagine this being considered heresy? And, yet there was one long before Galileo and Copernicus who was taken to Rome, accused of heresy and sedition. His name was
Paul. Follow how his story took him from Jerusalem to Rome.
Acts 25:7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
Acts 25:10-12 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. (11) For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. (12) Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Acts 28:17-24 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. (18) Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. (19) But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. (20) For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. (21) And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. (22) But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. (23) And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. (24) And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
Paul’s “heresy” got him an all-expense paid trip to Rome where he was able to share his seditious beliefs with Caesar. In fact, if you carefully read the passage, Paul did everything he could to get to Rome. He wasn’t afraid of what was waiting. He wasn’t afraid of the Inquisition. He had an opportunity to tell his salvation story with a new audience and he was glad for the chance.
Rome was kinder to Paul than it was to Galileo. He was kept under house arrest in his own “hired house” and was able to receive visitors. (Acts 28:30) Paul used this opportunity to spread the Gospel message which is why he wanted to go to Rome in the first place.
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul wrote, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” While some (or many) will say that our preaching of the Gospel is foolish at best or heresy at the worst, don’t let their inquisitions dampen your spirit or silence your tongue. Respond with courage and boldness for Christ.
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei
