YOU SAVONAROLA, YOU!!!

September 23 

Blessed are you when people insult you… Matt. 5:11

Back in the early 80’s before becoming a Christian, I remember hearing the name Savonarola various times—always in a negative context. In an interview, the celebrated writer James Michener criticized Jerry Falwell, stating that he was WORSE than an Ayatollah—he was a Savonarola! Around the same time, while sitting in a college class, I also remember Savonarola being defined as the worst vandal in human history—a proto-fascist cultural barbarian who stood for destroying priceless works of Renaissance art.   

It wasn’t until after my conversion that I heard the name mentioned in a positive context—within the historical section of Halley’s Bible Handbook—which was startling!   

So, who was this man? Savonarola (1452-98) was a friar of Florentine, Italy who was noted for his rigorous moralism and fiery denunciation of the worldly culture of his day. In his open-air preaching he continually railed against the corruption, greed, and heresies of the Roman Catholic Church—and called to account the decadent Medici rulers of Florence. But even as the “establishment” loathed him, he was equally beloved by the common people! Unsurprisingly, he was arrested, tortured and hanged, with his body burned in Florence’s main square.  

As a pre-Luther, proto-Reformer, he taught salvation by God’s grace alone through faith alone (Eph.2:8-9) and affirmed that the Bible alone should be the Christian’s final authority (2Tim.3:16-17)! Denouncing salvation by good works, Savonarola was a forerunner of the Reformation (as Luther later acknowledged).  

It is worth noting that the same sort of sophisticated “elites” that persecuted this man in his lifetime persist in vilifying his name! But this is exactly the treatment that Jesus said that we should expect. (Matt.5:10-12, John 15:18-21). Rejoice—and BE a Savonarola!  

                                                                                                                    Terry L. Reese