"The printing press obviously led to more people knowing what exactly was in the Bible. So, to any extent the Councils were inconsistent with what was in the Bible, a greater number of people had difficulty. The historical "trust us" of the Church began to weaken."
and
"I don't think it's any accident that the Reformation happened soon after the advent of the printing press. Whenever the Bible is allowed to speak for itself, there is greater understanding. I thank God for the gift of the invention."
Maybe in the West, but in the East even common people could read and collections of scripture were widely available in public libraries, churches, even private homes and, believe it or not, the caves of monastic ascetics. In your COE course you've been reading many of the sermons of the Fathers. You will note how they harp on having their listeners read the scriptures ( I suspect in great measure because people didn't generally.). They weren't asking them to do something which was impossible because there were now scriptures available or the people couldn't read. I know it was different in the West, but you also know that there was nothing even approaching the Reformation in the East. Apparently reading the scriptures there didn't have the effect on the laity and lower clergy that it did in the West. Perhaps that's because in the East the practices of The Church, Holy Tradition and the scriptures are seen as a seamless garment.
Yes, I remember being impressed with those writings.
Apparently reading the scriptures [in the East] didn't have the effect on the laity and lower clergy that it did in the West. Perhaps that's because in the East the practices of The Church, Holy Tradition and the scriptures are seen as a seamless garment.
Perhaps. It is difficult to be sure. (God had to pick somewhere to start the Reformation.... :) It certainly does appear to me that the East has been much more consistent than the Latin Church over time.