Reformation Biographies

The Reformation was an era with many examples of remarkable faithfulness, courage, and learning. However, few Christians today are familiar with their spiritual ancestors, the men who are responsible not only for much of our current understanding of the Bible and the Christian gospel, but also for the massive explosion of the Gospel all over the world today. If we want to continue to bear witness to the truth as faithfully as our fathers in the faith, we need to know their stories. Hannula's book includes 30 short but profound stories of Reformation-era courage.

Just as with the liberation fighters, socialists, and anarchists of previous volumes, these historical figures lived under great threat, attacking vast forces with little more than courage and the certainty of their beliefs. They stand as the bridge over the cultural change between the middle ages and the renaissance.

What made an ordinary monk become a catalyst for the Reformation in Europe in the 1500s? What were the reasons lying behind his nailing of 95 theses against the practice of indulgences to the door of the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg in 1517? Why was Martin Luther's life in danger? How did his apparent kidnapping result in the first ever New Testament translated into the German language? Discover how a fresh understanding of the Scriptures not only transformed his own life but had a huge impact upon Europe.

More than 500 years ago, 16th-century Reformer John Calvin was born—a theologian whose teachings set the stage for reformation of the church around the world. The modern world is in continual need of his Christ-exalting doctrine and vision of the Christian life. In 20 essays by leading Reformed pastors and scholars, this primer explores Calvin’s life, teaching, and legacy for a new generation. This book is a clarion call to Christians everywhere to take seriously the ongoing need of theological reformation across the globe.

The Reformation did not happen instantaneously; it was something God patiently arranged over a number of years. As you listen to this book, you will learn how the Lord used some people to plant the seeds of church reform long before October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther published his 95 theses. Luther's story is well-known; we trust you will find it interesting and instructive to hear about him and many others (John Knox, Peter Martyr Vermigli, Zacharias Ursinus, Willem Teellinck, et al.) who contributed to the Reformation.

In Reformation Women, Rebecca Vandoodewaard introduces listeners to 12 16th-century women who are not as well known today as contemporaries like Katie Luther and Lady Jane Grey. Providing an example to Christians today of strong service to Christ and his church, these influential, godly women were devoted to Reformation truth, in many cases provided support for their husbands, practiced hospitality, and stewarded their intellectual abilities.

On March 9, 1522, a band of about a dozen rebellious Christians gathered in a printer's workshop in Grabengasse, Zurich, fully resolved to march to the beat of their own drum. These renegades were intent on broadcasting a message to the corrupt and increasingly dishonorable Catholic Church...Ulrich Zwingli: The Life and Legacy of the Swiss Reformer Who Fought the Catholic Church during the Reformation chronicles the reformer’s life and teachings, and the influence he had on religion.

A biography of Albrecht Dürer, one of the most influential artists of the Renaissance and Reformation. In addition to creating hundreds of engravings, woodcuts, drawings, and paintings, he wrote books on geometry, fortification, and human proportions. He explored the meaning of beauty in his art textbook, which was called "Food for Young Artists." The Christian worldview which he brought to the field of art is still relevant today.

Martin Luther strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment of sin could be purchased with money, known as indulgences, and he confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his 95 Theses in 1517, one of the most important religious writings of all time. John Calvin (1509-1564) was one of the most important religious figures of the last millennium and an instantly recognizable name across the globe. Calvin was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation.

Kennst du ihn, den Reformator, Familienvater und Liederdichter, den Bibelübersetzer und redegewandten Prediger? Wer war er? Warum wurde er verfolgt? Was hatte er entdeckt? Warum nennt man ihn Reformator, und was geschah vor 500 Jahren? Die bekannte Autorin schildert in diesem Buch das eindrückliche Leben von Martin Luther, seine Suche nach Gott, seine Gefangennahme und Entführung zur Wartburg, die Übersetzung der Bibel und vor allem die Entdeckung der Wahrheit im Evangelium – einer Wahrheit, die sich wie ein Lauffeuer in der ganzen Welt verbreitete.

Die Reformation war eine Männerdomäne? Weit gefehlt! Neben den bekannten Protagonisten wie Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli oder Johannes Calvin haben Frauen die Reformation auf unterschiedliche Weise mitgeprägt: als mächtige Verbündete, sozial Engagierte, resolute Autorinnen oder leidenschaftliche Unterstützerinnen in einer Zeit des gesellschaftlichen, politischen und religiösen Umbruchs. Zwölf Porträts. Gelesen von Regula Siegfried, Dorothee Roth, Christian Breitschmid und Heiner Hitz.

The Protestant Reformation of the early 16th century in Europe divided the church and gave rise to several reformation movements. As such, it was characterised by universally famous men such as Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli or John Calvin, but many women were also quite instrumental in advancing the Protestant cause - as powerful supporters, committed helpers, resolute authors and passionate advocates in a time of great social, political and religious upheaval.

Martin Luther war ein Mann, der mit beiden Beinen im Leben stand. Er legte sich mit dem Papst und den weltlichen Fürsten an, zog den Kirchenbann auf sich und riskierte sogar sein Leben. Seine Bibelübersetzung ins Deutsche hat ihn weltberühmt gemacht. Sein Glaube an die Einheit von Körper und Geist wurde zu einem der großen Streitpunkte des Christentums. Er bildet den Kern seiner Theologie, die schließlich zur Teilung der christlichen Kirche führte.

Martin Luther war ein Mann, der mit beiden Beinen im Leben stand. Er legte sich mit dem Papst und den weltlichen Fürsten an, zog den Kirchenbann auf sich und riskierte sogar sein Leben. Seine Bibelübersetzung ins Deutsche hat ihn weltberühmt gemacht. Sein Glaube an die Einheit von Körper und Geist wurde zu einem der großen Streitpunkte des Christentums. Er bildet den Kern seiner Theologie, die schließlich zur Teilung der christlichen Kirche führte.

Most scholars consider Melanchthon to be a Reformation enigma. He, the developer of the Reformation doctrine of forensic justification, is contrarily condemned as a synergist. Known well as the Protestant preceptor of Germany, he was Martin Luther's lifelong friend, colleague, teacher of Greek, and fellow reformer. Upon arriving at Wittenberg, Melanchthon was a theologian neither by trade nor by training. He was a classically trained expert in classical languages, neo-Latin poet, textbook author, Greek scholar, humanist, and above all, an educator

In this book, dedicated by its author to the "Youth of the Land", is the inspiring story of Martin Luther, who was born to poverty in 1483, who was beaten in school on a regular basis, but who rose above his circumstances to change the course of history.

The legendary life of Katharina von Bora Luther! Born in 1499, Katharina started her education first at the convent at Brehna, then continued it in Kloster Nimbschen, where she took vows as a nun at the age of 16 and expected to live the whole of her life. God, however, had other plans. On Easter Eve, 1523, she escaped with 11 other nuns to Wittenberg, a move meant to be temporary until a more permanent home could be found for her. What happened next changed the world in this family story, filled with music in the original German.

Theologian and reformer John Wycliffe never had the opportunity to take his doctrines outside of his native England, but he could never have imagined that his teachings would one day travel as far as 920 miles east to Bohemia. One curious mind, however, was supposedly so inspired by Wycliffe that he was at once galvanized into action. Instead of simply parroting Wycliffe's seditious ideas, he launched an entire movement and remained fervidly true to his cause, even when his own life was at stake.

The Reformation and the Protestant Movement that Dr. Martin Luther initiated, spoke for change in the Catholic Church, defended with pen, and published many books in the common language of the people for the first time on the newly invented printing press. Pulpit preaching, university teaching, debated and defended in public meetings before princess and clergy, all made bold proclamations for reform. Dr. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses, points for dialogue and reform.

Five hundred years ago, a monk named Martin Luther wrote ninety-five questions, hoping to start a discussion about sin and repentance at the University of Wittenberg in Germany. In a few months those questions had stirred the nation; a few years later, the continent. Today we know that those questions changed the course of both the Western church and world history. In this volume for children, Simonetta Carr tells the compelling story of this father of the Protestant Reformation.