Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Inquisition" refers to a series of institutions within the Roman Catholic Church that were established to identify, try, and punish heresy and other offenses against the faith. While the Inquisition is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its historical development and theological underpinnings can be examined through a biblical lens.
Historical ContextThe Inquisition began in the 12th century in response to the rise of heretical movements in Europe, such as the Cathars and Waldensians. It reached its height during the Spanish Inquisition, which was established in 1478 by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. The primary aim was to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, particularly among converted Jews and Muslims.
Biblical FoundationsThe concept of maintaining doctrinal purity is rooted in Scripture. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to preserve the purity of their worship and to avoid idolatry and false teachings.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 warns against prophets or dreamers who lead people astray, stating, "You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
In the New Testament, the early church faced challenges from false teachers and heresies. The Apostle Paul admonishes believers to guard against false doctrines. In
Galatians 1:8-9 , Paul writes, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!"
Theological ConsiderationsThe Inquisition was driven by the belief that heresy was not only a sin but also a crime that threatened the spiritual and social order. The church saw itself as the guardian of truth, responsible for the salvation of souls. This responsibility was taken seriously, as reflected in
Jude 1:3 , which urges believers to "contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints."
However, the methods employed by the Inquisition, including torture and execution, have been subjects of controversy and criticism. While the Bible advocates for the correction of false teachings, it also emphasizes love, mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus' teachings in the Gospels highlight the importance of compassion and redemption, as seen in
Matthew 5:44 : "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Legacy and ReflectionThe Inquisition's legacy is complex, as it reflects both a commitment to doctrinal purity and the potential for human error and excess in its implementation. The church's role in preserving orthodoxy is a theme that resonates throughout Christian history, yet it must be balanced with the biblical call to love and grace. The Inquisition serves as a historical reminder of the need for discernment and humility in matters of faith and doctrine.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of inquiring; examination; a court for investigation.
2. (n.) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.
3. (n.) The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under a writ of inquiry.
4. (n.) A court or tribunal for the examination and punishment of heretics, fully established by Pope Gregory IX. in 1235. Its operations were chiefly confined to Spain, Portugal, and their dependencies, and a part of Italy.
5. (v. t.) To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INQUISITIONin-kwi-zish'-un (darash, "to follow," "diligently inquire," "question," "search" (Deuteronomy 19:18Psalm 9:12), baqash, "to search out," "to strive after," "inquire" (Esther 2:23)): The term refers, as indicated by these passages, first of all to a careful and diligent inquiry necessary to ascertain the truth from witnesses in a court, but may also refer to a careful examination into circumstances or conditions without official authority.
Strong's Hebrew
1245. baqash -- to seek... ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make
inquisition, procure,. A
primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically
...1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... ask, at all, care for, diligently, inquire, makeinquisition, question,.
A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually...
Library
Missions; theInquisition
... PART II CHAPTER XXX: MISSIONS; THEINQUISITION. All through the times of which I
had been speaking, missions to the heathen were actively carried on....
The Great Controversy
... A report of aninquisition before whom were brought some Waldenses of Moravia in
the middle of the fifteenth century declares that among the Waldenses "not a...
Appendix.
... Page 235. THEINQUISITION."See Catholic Encyclopaedia, art.Inquisition
(contributed by J. Bloetzer, SJ, Munich); HC Lea, "History...
An Account of the Following Book to all Sorts of Readers.
... Then appears the Approbation of Fryer Dominic of the most holy Trinity, Qualifier
and Counsellour of the holy Office of Malta, and of theInquisition of Rome...
Of the Commissioners Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, and...
... Hellebichus Commander of the Troops, [1691] and C??sarius Master of the Offices
[1692] ) sent by the Emperor Theodosius for theinquisition of the offenders...
Of the Sentiment of Divine Love which is had by Faith.
... pronounced, every one fully accepts it and acquiesces in it, not in consideration
of the reasons alleged in the preceding discussion andinquisition, but in...
Knox, Wishart, and the Murder of Beaton: 1545-1546
... inconveniences. TheInquisition, in Spain, vigorously repudiated this theory,
but theInquisition was in advance of the age. Knox...
The Mendicant Orders
... [Sidenote: Friars andInquisition.]. The spread of heresy and the feeble attempts
of the bishops to use the machinery at their disposal...
Guelf and Ghibelline. (ii)
... Only gradually in the second quarter of the century was the old episcopal jurisdiction
over heresy superseded by the establishment of the papalInquisition....
Preface by David Lewis.
... The gossip in the house of the Princess was carried to Madrid, and the result
was that theInquisition began to make a search for the book....
Thesaurus
Inquisition (5 Occurrences)... part of Italy. 5. (vt) To make
inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
INQUISITION. in-kwi-zish
...Inquiry (15 Occurrences)
... carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, designated for a man, and not at all
redeemed, nor was freedom given her; there shall beinquisition; they shall not...
Investigate (11 Occurrences)
... or observation; to trace or track mentally; to search into; to inquire and examine
into with care and accuracy; to find out by carefulinquisition; as, to...
Liar (18 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 19:18 and the judges shall make diligentinquisition: and, behold, if
the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother...
Inquisitors (1 Occurrence)
Investigation (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 19:18 and the judges shall make diligentinquisition: and, behold, if
the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother...
Forgetteth (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Psalms 9:12 When he makethinquisition for blood, he
remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. (KJV ASV WBS)....
Torment (19 Occurrences)
... Gr. basanos (Matthew 4:24), the "touch-stone" of justice; henceinquisition by torture,
and then any disease which racks and tortures the limbs....
Remembereth (19 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Psalms 9:12 When he makethinquisition for blood, he remembereth them:
he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. (KJV ASV DBY WBS)....
Examination (10 Occurrences)
... eg-zam'-in, eg-zam-i-na'-shun: darash, "to follow," "inquire," "makeinquisition"
(Ezra 10:16); and bachan, "to test," "investigate," "prove," "tempt" (Psalm 26...
Resources
What were the Inquisitions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the definition of heresy? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did John Calvin have Michael Servetus burned at the stake for heresy? | GotQuestions.orgInquisition: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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