How much did the Ottomans know about Reformation theology?

Did the Ottomans understand the theological nuances of the Reformation?

I know that the Ottomans crossed paths with the early Calvinist movement in Hungarian lands. Did they realize that Calvinism was a significant theological and liturgical movement within the nascent Reformation revolution? Or did they perceive Reformed Christianity as just another small dissenting dhimmi group/potential millet that could be used against the Pope and as a political wedge to crack open Central Europe?

European Christian liturgies reflect ambivalence about Ottoman military and political strength. The collect for the Good Friday liturgy of the 16th century Book of Common Prayer specifically mentions the "Turk", and not Islam in general, within the list of religious groups called to conversion. Did Ottoman scholars read Aquinas, Calvin and Luther, let alone the fathers and saint's lives of the Byzantine Christian tradition? If so, then perhaps the Ottoman intellectual caste imparted some background information on various Christian theological schools to the bureaucrats and generals working within the conquered lands.
 
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Oh yes, the Ottomans kept a careful watch on the developments of the reformation. They actually tried to coordinate their attacks in such a way as to help the Protestants in the 16th century. The west has traditionally downplayed Ottoman interaction with Europe beyond warfare but the Ottomans were very much a part of Europe and were well aware of what was going on. During the era of the reformation wars the main champions of Catholicism were the Hapsburgs, who were also one of the Ottomans' main enemies. The Ottomans would definitely have sought to know all they could about the major Protestant groupings I would think, as the developments in Europe in that time had such a big impact on the Ottomans. Just because the Ottomans weren't Christian themselves doesn't mean they would have a lack of interest or understanding in these matters
 

Burakius

Banned
Are u kidding me!? The Ottomans even FINANCED the Protestant movements to increase dividement between the Christians themselves. So yes they were FULLY aware of the situations in Europe.
 
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