Which reformation?

First Things blog has an article entitled in bold: The Man Who Painted the Reformation.  It is a curious judgment upon a first rate painter Hans Holbein the Younger.  He certainly painted what happened in England but it remains to be seen that such could be called a Reformation.  One or both of the Cranach's could lay claim to that title -- not because they were superior to Holdein, though it might be argued such, but because they chronicled a true Reformation.  If Holbein had stayed home (he was born in Augsburg, Germany, within a few years of Luther), he might have more claim to the title.  But his travels to England and his paintings there are more what he is known for than any other of his works.  He was a portrait painter and seemed able to navigate between enemies and friends on the outs.  He left us a marvelous gallery of figures but as far as painting the Reformation -- not so much.

I have always had a problem equating what happened in England under Henry VIII as reform. A few aspects of it might appeal to Lutherans but not much, really.  Just as Henry could agitate against Luther when it might have worked in his favor, so he might claim something from a real Reformation for the same purpose.  To say that Henry was interested in reforming the English Church would be a stretch.  At best, he took over being its head so that he might get his way in the bedroom.  He sacked the monasteries and stole property and lands to dole out as bribes to the landed gentry who were not friendly to his whims.  But reform is a word too noble for what happened in England (and what happened there was not really accomplished in full until Elisabeth (the daughter he never wanted) finished what he began.

Great story, great intrigue, great casting, and great props -- all to be sure -- but if you want a real Reformation, better stick with Germany and Luther.  Which remains the problem with the Church of England.  Great ceremony, great pomp, great history, and great props but not much under the surface.  Welby has presided over another step toward ignominy for a church that deserved better than Henry and, to quote a famous movie line, coulda been a contenda. Instead, Holbein's body of work is more like postcards of a train wreck than a chronicle of a Reformation.  But, then again, Holbein never claimed the title.  It was claimed for him.  Perhaps by those who would not know a real Reformation if it slapped them in the face.