Radical Religion in Cromwell's England - Book Report/Review Example

History The book by Andrew Bradstock is regarded as the underpinning of the significant radical changes that took place in Cromwell, England. It indicates some of the proceedings of the earlier English era and how it was affected by the social and political aspects at the time. He describes the need for radicalism in the 17th century as a need that was apparent for the change in the social and political arena 1. There is also recognition of the implementation of the different liberties that were based on the known exploits of the inherent principles that were used to underpin the notion of socialism. Bradstock drew his conclusions from the persistent need for change that he saw in the same era. He views that Christianity is one of the things that inspired change during the 17th century. This was because it took over with great speed and there was a wide regard for the scriptures at the time. He defines Christianity as a way of looking at the society in a new lens. This is the reason that many would regard Bradstock’s book as a one of the most significant historiographies of that period2. There is a lot of meaningful interpretation of the different types of interpretations to the radicalism views that used to exist. He also uses these views to define the root cause of changes that occurred during the 17th centuries and how they occurred.There are different perspectives given in the book on how the concept of radicalism took centre stage. There is also shown in the book the notion of how radicalism took over Cromwell and how they used Christianity as the main catalyst for the institutionalization of the social and political liberties that existed at the time. Bradstock also gave an argument to the fact that the Marxist revolution was the primary factor in the implementation of the social reforms in the community of Cromwell. He argued it was not a result of the proto-Marxist revolution as many had thought but more of the factor of religion and more so Christianity3. The scriptures were being used to underpin most of the ongoing of the known world. This is regarded as one of the most important distinction identified by Bradstock in his book. The structure of the study was based on the Baptist principles. Bradstock saw this as the right approach for the formulation and also on the growth of the radicalism movement. In the way of the Baptists as Bradstock research suggests they were not unified by any of the political fronts. They were only aware of the religious bedrock that they had built and constructed a more socially improved construct of their traditions. Bradstock indicates how they switched their known traditions to seek out the Christian teachings, which meant that they were moving towards a Baptist centered mindset. Bradstock also lays emphasis on the importance of there being definable movements that were responsible for spreading the radicalism ideologies and also the spread of the Christian religion. He also gave the notion of there being a form of personal liberty and its importance in developing a normal society with proper people. He has carried the idea of radicalism to the extreme heights with his extremist theories and how people in the 17th century used to be influenced by the scriptures at every turn. The message that is well spread by the book is how people in the 17th century viewed and related to their scriptures. This was an important event and it required that the society be molded into the idea of the bible and Christianity as well. He shows how the community of Cromwell became obsessed by the notion of the sacrifice of Christ and how he died for the sins of man. This made the community become more unified and joined together to become a form of a movement in the early years4. It was a common sight to see more and more Levellers worshiping in common union and sharing the word of the scripture together. The author suggests that the levelers were only connected by the notion of having a similar perspective with each other. It indicates that religion was used to tie many people together and also gave them a sense of belonging in the 17th century. This is why it was hugely explored as a strong political influence among the masses. Bradstock suggests how the political parties used the theories of Christianity and the scriptures to become more influential to the public in an effort to become popular. There is also the question of whether the main idea behind the pursuit of personal liberties was the catalyst behind the radicalism movements or whether it was in search of political liberties. He questioned whether the actions towards change of this kind was a means towards an end or even the vice versa. He also accepts that it can be a question that cannot be fully answered without looking at all the attributes and perspectives that were carried by the levelers at the time. It seemed that even the most radical levelers were considered to be very informed when it came to the theological theories. They could be able to argue points in reference to what was good with God. They even formulated the model of a command system that God uses in order to come up with the known scripture theories. With the onset of the radicalism movements of Christianity and religious groups there were more constructions of a Christian society. They were very precarious of any evil that existed in the community one that would stain their faith and religion. They then had a hard time trying to differentiate between myth and what was real. This led to many religious killings in an effort to cure sin from the society. They intended to ensure that they could not be entangled into the ways of sin. There was also a sense of personal divinity that was seen as a vital thing in the community of Cromwell at the time. It was important for the people of Cromwell to accept their religion and live by its teachings. This meant that the most of the people had to deviate from sin and live and humble people. This was characterized in the political change that took over Cromwell at the time, where it saw a drastic change due to the new culture that the people of Cromwell were adopting. There was a feeling of lack of a clear ideology and also a proper religious identity from most of the residents who didn’t accept this new form of religion. The small religion of Christianity had a very strong influence on the social and political life that was found in England. This is where Bradstock is able to characterize these qualities and make them into discerning fiction in order to provide the proper guidance for the time period. It could be said that there is a very large population of Quakers in the country of England and it is known as one of the significant and crucial movements that existed in the early modern England5. Bradstock facilitated the notion of the inner light by the religious movements and what they believed in 6. He also shows how there were many religious movements that were responsible in collection of tithe from their members. This became a social norm that most people were accustomed to. The interesting part about the book is where it states that the women and children were all allowed to preach. This meant that there was not even a need for a paid clergy. The Quaker groups were not very supportive of the scriptures and the teachings of the Christians and this led to them making life difficult for the believers. They were also responsible in interrupting their church programs and what they were being taught. In the book by Andrew Bradstock he suggests how the Christians were responsible in giving authoritative teachings to the Quakers, which they didn’t like. This was a very tough time for religion and there were widespread persecutions that were going on at the time. Bradstock also believed that the concept of religion was a form of social and political catalyst for transformation. This can be dubbed as correct as it played a big part in the building and development of the English power system. This meant that Christian was taking center stage when it came to the royal leadership. The English political was built around a monarchist style and spanned a great milestone for the religious movements. The origins of the religious traditions can be mostly related to the Baptist and the Independent communities especially in Cromwell7. Bradstock analyzes how many of the radicalist movements believed in the coming of Christ and the salvation of sin. He believed that the teachings that were being taught in Cromwell were very important for readying the Christian movement for the second coming of Christ. This seems to have been the main agenda for the introduction of the radicalism movement in the country. It could have been used to help the town rise from the shame of obscurity. It left Cromwell in a good position better than the rest of the country by being a form of a role model in the worship and the following of religion to the letter. Bradstock then becomes the man who was responsible for the introduction that the English monarchists were known for and was able to interpret and understand the some of the changes that took place at the time. He discusses on the difference between the change in the perception that came from the Dutch and that of the Englishmen. It is then conclusive to determine that the book by Bradstock gave a very important aspect that pertained to the English history. He also gave much emphasis on the importance of the radicalism movements to the country of England, led by the town of Cromwell. References Andrew B., (2010), Radical Religion in Cromwell’s England: A Concise History from the English Civil War to the End of the Commonwealth, London, I. B. Tauris, ISBN: 9781845117658; 224pp. Christopher H., (1992), The English Bible and the Seventeenth-Century Revolution (London, 1992). Jonathan S., (1992), The English Republican Imagination’ in John Morrill, ed., Revolution and Restoration: England in the 1650s (London, 1992), p. 10. Read More