The Council of Trent: Answering the Reformation and Reforming the Church

By: John W. O'Malley

Narrated by: John W. O'Malley

Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

You will love this fascinating and exceptionally well-taught course.

What really happened at the Council of Trent?

After Luther, Calvin, and Henry VIII, the Council of Trent is one of the most frequently invoked names regarding the Reformation. Even so, few know much about it. As renowned historian Fr. John O'Malley demonstrates, the reality of Trent differs radically from how you probably conceive of it. In this 12-lecture course, you will discover the council's wide-reaching cultural and religious influence over the centuries. This Council profoundly impacted the Catholic Church, and its decisions had repercussions throughout Europe.

You'll find this a great course whether you are interested in history, theology, or Catholic doctrine. The leading political figures were deeply involved, as were the five popes who reigned during the fateful 18 years over which it stretched. Lurching from one crisis to the next, they all had something at stake in the Council.

Despite these political maneuvers, the Council professedly concerned itself with religion, especially Catholic doctrine and reform. The dramatic debate surrounding reform resulted in decrees that have had a lasting impact on the Church.

The story of the Council continues long after its implementation: indeed, historians deem the 400 years following Trent the "Tridentine Era". As you will discover, the legacy of this landmark Council is vital to an understanding of the Church today.

©2012 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2012 Now You Know Media Inc.

Great summary of the Council of Trent

Keep in mind that these are historical lectures, which tend to be a bit dry. Nevertheless it is well worth your time to invest in these lectures assuming you're interested in learning about the 16th century council that became the bulwark for reforming the Catholic Church for centuries to come. Fr. O'Malley, a truly gifted historian, summarizes not only the decrees and decisions of the council, but also the events that led up to the council. Highly recommended for Church historians, and anyone who has a desire to better understand the what and the whys of the Council.

Fantastic lectures on Trent and the time period!

These lectures were fantastic overviews of the time period leading up to the Council of Trent, the period during which the Council convened, and the post conciliar period of implementation.

I very much appreciated the structured and clear movement through political, economic and cultural influences during the time periods discussed and how they impacted the Council.

Also, I was very happy to understand more clearly that there were implementations that took place after the Council which were not done by the Council itself; despite the names given to them today. For instance, the Catechism of the Council of Trent was a response to the Council's call for reform in preaching and educating priests to preach well.

A+

Fr. O'Malley Consistently Serves a Need

This lecture series, like several of his others on audible that I have listened to provides a nuanced, approachable, and yet still in-depth look into the Council of Trent. For anyone that consistently listens to overconfident statements on social media about ecumenical councils from people who have not studied the actual documents, this is a great place to listen to a calm voice of reason. Fr. O'Malley avoids emotionally charged statements and relies on texts and academic studies of the council, and it is amazing to have his knowledge so readily available.

Separates out fact from fantasy about the council of Trent

So many Catholics today like to refer back to the good old days of the council of Trent. They often will quote things that seemed to make sense and could’ve occurred, but this history by one of the preeminent historians of the Catholic Church proves them to be wrong. Intriguing, interesting, and in-depth, this short history of an important time in theological and ecclesiastical life in the 1500s helps us to better understand the post council influences what actually happened at the council of Trent

Great service to students of the Reformation

John provides a very rich historical context to the council. Important relationship tensions between leaders, imperial and clerica, leading up to the council. The two agendaof the council, doctrine and reform of the episcopal, were undertaken, but no reform of the papal institution was effected largley due to papal resistance. As a story, the topic is just too large to adequately narrate in 4 hours. This work is scholarship explaining people places and events but simultaneously points to a much larger body of scholarship like Herbert Jedin four vols on the council.

A Painfully Boring Whitewash of History

If you actually manage to get through this painfully boring lecture you will learn almost nothing of consequence, mostly just numerous trivial details. The author/narrator seems to only give a cursory wink and the true intention of the Council which was to answer the Reformation with a set of heretical creeds declaring that violation of any would result in the person(s) being anathematized. The author/narrator seems more inclined to mostly ignore the blasphemy that came out this antichrist council.

I suppose I should have known better since the author/narrator is a Catholic Priest but I figured I'd give him the benefit of the doubt in hoping for candor and sincerity. Those hopes fell flat. I suppose it would be like asking a Nazi if Hitler had won WWII what the war was about. Although Rome didn't win the "war" and thank God that people got away from their tyranny.
My advice, don't waste your time here, get a different book.

Council of Death

The narrator was not concise enough to truly understand or believe why the Tridentine councils were pivotal for the gospel to be proclaimed with clarity, simplicity, and overall truthfulness. regarding the importance for the need of a reformation that would result in supernaturally changed lives.

boring, not about the catechism of trent

It was a dragged out history with no reading of the actual catechism. It was informative if you want to hear the historical account in general .
However if you were looking to hear the actual catechism then the book is not so good.