The Protestant Reformation
The Reformation was a religious revolution in the Western church in the 16th century and was one of the most significant events in the history of Western Civilization. There were three main reformation movements: Germany, England, and Switzerland. The Roman Catholic church claimed it had supreme authority over all people, but the Reformers believed Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) was our supreme authority. The Reformation was a battle over the authority and sufficiency of the Word of God. In the Reformation era, the sufficiency of Scripture was restored to its rightful and prominent place.
Important Reformers:
John Wycliffe or Wyclif/Wickliffe (1324-1384) - England. He wrote several articles criticizing the church's power and the Pope's authority. He also denied Transubstantiation (the Roman Catholic belief that the bread and wine change into the actual body and blood of Christ).
Jan Hus (1370-1415) - Czech Republic. Wycliffe’s writings reached him, and he began to believe them. Hus then refused to accept the Pope’s authority and was excommunicated in 1410 and burnt at the stake. Learn more…A Most Intriguing Figure with John MacArthur.
Johann Gutenberg (1398-1468) - He invented movable type printing, otherwise known as the printing press. Books and pamphlets became more widely available, and people became more literate. The Roman Catholic church had a more challenging time controlling what people knew. This invention was pivotal to the propagation of Reformation ideas.
Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536): Scholar from Holland who defined the humanist movement in Northern Europe. Translator of the New Testament into Greek.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymn writer, professor, and monk. Luther was the central figure of the Protestant Reformation, and his theological beliefs formed the basis of Lutheranism.
Philip Melanchthon (1497 – 1560) was a German Lutheran reformer who collaborated with Martin Luther.
Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland and was a pastor. The writings of Erasmus influenced him.
William Tyndale (1494–1536) was an English biblical translator, humanist, and scholar burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English.
Martin Bucer (1491-1551) was a German reformer based in Strasbourg who influenced Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anglican doctrines and practices. He acted as a mediator between Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli, who differed on the doctrine of the Eucharist.
John Calvin (1509-1564) was a French theologian, pastor, and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology, later called Calvinism.
Theodore Beza (1519 – 1605) was a French Calvinist Protestant theologian, reformer, and disciple of John Calvin. Beza succeeded Calvin as the spiritual leader of the Republic of Geneva.
Heinrich Bullinger (1504 – 1575) was a Swiss Reformer and theologian, the successor of Huldrych Zwingli as head of the Church of Zürich. He was influential in the Swiss Reformation, co-authored the Helvetic Confessions, and collaborated with John Calvin to work out a Reformed doctrine of the Lord's Supper.
Thomas Cranmer (1486-1541) was a leader of the English Reformation, the first Protestant archbishop of Canterbury, and the author of The Book of Common Prayer. Although he was burned at the stake for heresy, the reforms he advocated led to the formation of the Church of England.
Thomas Cromwell (1485-1540) was an English statesman and lawyer who served as King Henry VIII's chief minister. He was beheaded on the king's orders. He was an influential proponent of the English Reformation.
Hugh Latimer (1487 – 1555) was an English Protestant priest who advanced the cause of the Reformation in England. He refused to subscribe to particular articles of the Roman Catholic, such as the existence of purgatory and the need to venerate saints, so he was excommunicated and imprisoned and was later burned at the stake with the Reformer Nicholas Ridley.
What is Reformation Day? by Gabriel Hughes (video + article)
Why the Reformation Matters Series by Ligonier Ministries (videos)
Why the Reformation Deserves Our Attention by Reformed Forum (audio)
Ulrich Zwingli: Third Man of the Reformation by Reformed Forum (audio)
Why You Should Know About the Reformation by 1517 (article)
Is the Protestant Reformation Over? by Gabriel Hughes (video + article)
Art and the Reformation by Dan van Voorhis (audio) - discusses a theology of the arts and how Reformational theology, specifically Lutheran theology, instructs Christians on the place of art as we live coram deo (in the presence of God). They discuss whether art can be “redeemed,” cultivating good taste in art, differences in Lutheran and Reformed traditions, and more.
Spurgeon and the British Reformation by Voddie Baucham (video)
The Five Solas of the Reformation (webpage)
Unmasking Satan’s Motive by Chip Thornton (article)
The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification: A Curtain on the Reformation by Michael Reeves (article)
A Betrayal of the Gospel: The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification by Paul T. McCain (article)
Is the Reformation Over? A Statement of Evangelical Convictions (website)
While many view the start of the Protestant Reformation as having been in 1517, following the publication of Martin Luther’s theses, its actual beginning date is somewhat unclear. There were three main reformation movements; one in Germany, one in England, and one in Switzerland - all occurring around the same time in the 16th century.
The Reformation was a battle over the authority and sufficiency of the Word of God. In this message, Dr. Michael Reeves examines the different views of scriptural authority that emerged during the Reformation and discusses how this issue continues to separate Roman Catholics and Protestants today.
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The life and legacy of Reformer, John Calvin by Steven Lawson
The life and legacy of Reformer, Martin Luther by Steven Lawson
Dr. Bruce Gordon discusses the Swiss Reformer Huldrych Zwingli.
Take a closer look at those behind the Reformation: Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and the formidable John Calvin, who together rocked the very foundation of Western Europe and even led to the founding of America itself.
Dr. Steve Lawson, a respected theologian and historian, takes us on a journey through the lives of the Reformers, from Martin Luther's bold stance against the Catholic Church to John Calvin's influential teachings on predestination and grace. In this 3-part series, explore the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation and the men who played a pivotal role in breaking the chains of tradition and transforming the course of Western civilization.
The Doctrine on Which the Church Stands or Falls: Justification in Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Pastoral Perspective by Various Authors
Many factors contributed to the Protestant Reformation, but one of the most significant was the debate over the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Martin Luther argued that justification is the doctrine on which the church stands or falls. This comprehensive volume of 26 essays from a host of scholars explores the doctrine of justification from the lenses of history, the Bible, theology, and pastoral practice―revealing the enduring significance of this pillar of Protestant theology.
The Unquenchable Flame by Michael Reeves
Burning pyres, nuns on the run, stirring courage, comic relief. The story of the Protestant Reformation is a gripping tale packed with drama. It was set in motion on 31 October 1517 when Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg. What motivated the Reformers, And what were they like? In this lively, accessible, and informative introduction, Michael Reeves brings to life the colorful characters of the Reformation, unpacks their ideas, and shows the profound and personal relevance of Reformation thinking today.
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