Winthop S. Hudson in “The Story of the Christian Church” (copyright 1958) outlines much of the history of the Christian church. His book spans the early church on through the Reformation and onto the denominations that were present in his day. The writings about the Reformation were a particular interest. Many of the issues dealt with then are still being debated, today.
Martin Luther posted the “Ninety-Five Thesis” on October 31, 1517, to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg. Luther protested against what he considered clerical abuses, especially in regard to indulgences. Church doors served at that time as bulletin boards. In a way, Martin Luther was a pioneer “blog poster”! The indulgence in Catholic theology, is the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. (see more here..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indulgence) Martin Luther’s work called into question the whole structure of the church as understood and defended by the papacy. “The Story… ” (page 52)
“The church had become an institution which could be utilized by men for purposes quite foreign to the spirit of Christ… Outside the rites of the church- controlled and adminstered by the clergy- there was thought to be no salvation.The clergy could either grant or withhold divine grace. Thus the concept of the church as the people of God had been displaced by what has not unjustly been described as a “clerical closed shop” which could pressure both the humble and the mighty to do its bidding with the threat of eternal damnation. “The Story…” (page 53-54)
Upon first reading this passage, I was shocked to see the similarities between the Catholic church of Martin Luther’s day and the experiences I endured at WOFF! The clergy of Martin Luther’s day is equated with Jane Whaley and many of her lieutenants serving as priests. The constant threats spouted by Jane Whaley telling folks that they would – “not make it with God”, “lose the Call of God”, “be taken over by devils”, “not make it to heaven” sounded just like the threats used by Catholic priests! If members of WOFF didn’t seek or follow Jane’s counsel – then threats would rain down on them. It seemed to work – most times. The pressures from leadership and Jane to shun members with independent thinking and decision making were heavy and numerous. As mentioned before, groups like WOFF depend on total control of their members. For sure, “the threat of eternal damnation” from priest or those in religious authority is one of the oldest control methods documented in the “Christian” church, as well as other religious groups.