A Reformed Protestant in Trent

Yesterday, Lesley and I arrived in Trento in northern Italy. Today, we entered the big church building, where the notorious Council of Trent was held, from 1545-1563 AD. Before I get into the theological discussion, I must mention that Trento is a charming city of about 120,000 inhabitants. It also has a large university with around 25,000 students. The people here are very friendly. In the 16th century, Trento was part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. Though the citizens here have spoken Italian for centuries, the district including Trento only became officially part of Italy in the 20th century.

If you hold the same view as I do concerning the edicts of the Council of Trent, then you also believe that the desperate papal prelates essentially condemned not only all Reformed Protestants, but also the gospel of grace, the true church, and even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Are these words extreme? Check out the Council of Trent for yourself, and draw your own conclusions. 

Ironically, under the big church building here in Trento is to be found the remains of a 6th century Christian church building. My guess is that it was a true church, probably expounding Augustinian views of the gospel. God has a sense of humor, to allow so much heresy to be propounded over the foundation of the truth of Jesus. Lesley and I hope to visit the old church's remains later today.

" . . . but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth," (1 Tim. 3:15/NKJV).

Rev. Mark J. Henninger 

Treatise #143

18 October 2026

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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