May 23, 2017
Devotions: Personalities of the Reformation: Patrick Hamilton

Patrick Hamilton is remembered as the first martyr of the Reformation in Scotland. He was born in 1504 – his family was rich, and was related to the king. He attended university in Paris at the age of fourteen. While attending university, he was introduced to writings of Martin Luther – and his revolutionary teaching which would become Justification by Grace through Faith – and to the ideas of Luther, like everyone should be able to read the bible in their own language. Upon finishing his studies in France, he returned to Scotland and became a professor at the University of St. Andrews. Although Luther’s writings were banned in many parts of Europe, there were copies being circulated along with Tynsdale’s 1526 translation of the bible from Greek into English. Hamilton was converted by the writings of Luther – which was not so convenient since the center of Roman Catholicism in Scotland was at St. Andrews. Having attracted the attention of the local Archbishop, Hamilton fled to Germany in 1527.

In Germany, Hamilton wrote a book called “Patrick’s Places”. The point of the book was the teaching of Luther, that a person is saved by faith in Christ, not by good works. Although he had fled Scotland, just ahead of trouble, he determined to return to his country to spread his understanding of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon his return, Patrick was able to convert members of his family to the reformation teachings. He was able to preach at the University of St. Andrews for a month until he was summoned for a trial before the Archbishop. He refused to recant his beliefs, and as such was sentenced to be burned at the stake as a heretic. His death was a turning point of a different kind – the fire kept going out and it took six hours for him to die. As such, more people were determined to learn of his reformation teaching and preaching – so his death was not a deterrent, but a call seeing the teaching of G-d in a new way. (adapted from reformationhistory.org website article, Patrick Hamilton)

Hamilton – burned at the stake. Huss – burned at the stake. Wycliffe – his remains were dug up 43 years after his death and burned. Savonarola – burned at the stake. Today we witness Christians being beheaded by ISIS and cringe at the sheer brutality. Christians were burning people at the stake just 500 years before our recent religious persecutions. Christians are the most persecuted religion around the world today. What have we learned in 500 years of religious arguments and fighting? What have we learned about religion since Christ was crucified on a cross? The thought of answering that question should take your breath away – and then force you to find an answer.

Pastor Dave

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