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 Context

The 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 Foundations

The 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 Considerations

The 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 Reflection

The 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.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.

INQUISITION

in-kwi-zish'-un (darash, "to follow," "diligently inquire," "question," "search" (Deuteronomy 19:18 Psalm 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.

1245. baqash -- to seek
... ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,. A
primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically ...
/hebrew/1245.htm - 6k

1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... ask, at all, care for, diligently, inquire, make inquisition, question,.
A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually ...
/hebrew/1875.htm - 6k

Missions; the Inquisition
... PART II CHAPTER XXX: MISSIONS; THE INQUISITION. All through the times of which I
had been speaking, missions to the heathen were actively carried on. ...
/.../chapter xxx missions the inquisition.htm

The Great Controversy
... A report of an inquisition before whom were brought some Waldenses of Moravia in
the middle of the fifteenth century declares that among the Waldenses "not a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/the great controversy.htm

Appendix.
... Page 235. THE INQUISITION."See Catholic Encyclopaedia, art. Inquisition
(contributed by J. Bloetzer, SJ, Munich); HC Lea, "History ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /appendix.htm

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 the Inquisition of Rome ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/an account of the following.htm

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 the inquisition of the offenders ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xvii of the commissioners.htm

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 and inquisition, but in ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiv of the sentiment.htm

Knox, Wishart, and the Murder of Beaton: 1545-1546
... inconveniences. The Inquisition, in Spain, vigorously repudiated this theory,
but the Inquisition was in advance of the age. Knox ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter ii knox wishart and.htm

The Mendicant Orders
... [Sidenote: Friars and Inquisition.]. The spread of heresy and the feeble attempts
of the bishops to use the machinery at their disposal ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xiii the mendicant orders.htm

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 papal Inquisition. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xv guelf and ghibelline.htm

Preface by David Lewis.
... The gossip in the house of the Princess was carried to Madrid, and the result
was that the Inquisition began to make a search for the book. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/preface by david lewis.htm

Inquisition (5 Occurrences)
... part of Italy. 5. (vt) To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INQUISITION. in-kwi-zish ...
/i/inquisition.htm - 9k

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 be inquisition; they shall not ...
/i/inquiry.htm - 11k

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 careful inquisition; as, to ...
/i/investigate.htm - 10k

Liar (18 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 19:18 and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if
the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother ...
/l/liar.htm - 11k

Inquisitors (1 Occurrence)

/i/inquisitors.htm - 6k

Investigation (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 19:18 and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if
the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother ...
/i/investigation.htm - 8k

Forgetteth (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Psalms 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he
remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/f/forgetteth.htm - 8k

Torment (19 Occurrences)
... Gr. basanos (Matthew 4:24), the "touch-stone" of justice; hence inquisition by torture,
and then any disease which racks and tortures the limbs. ...
/t/torment.htm - 13k

Remembereth (19 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Psalms 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them:
he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/remembereth.htm - 11k

Examination (10 Occurrences)
... eg-zam'-in, eg-zam-i-na'-shun: darash, "to follow," "inquire," "make inquisition"
(Ezra 10:16); and bachan, "to test," "investigate," "prove," "tempt" (Psalm 26 ...
/e/examination.htm - 11k

What were the Inquisitions? | GotQuestions.org

What is the definition of heresy? | GotQuestions.org

Why did John Calvin have Michael Servetus burned at the stake for heresy? | GotQuestions.org

Inquisition: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus