Reformation Biographies

Surely everyone has heard of Martin Luther. He condemned clerical abuses and defended his interpretation of Scripture, boldly declaring: “Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise.” Millions of Christians around the world admire Luther, and associate him with the noble ideals of reason, independence, and courage. But, how well do we really know this man, who is synonymous with the Reformation? Scripture tells us to remember our leaders and “consider the outcome of their way of life;” and Jesus said: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another....

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.

Before the Reformation: Two Lives, One Legacy Dive into the extraordinary stories of two fearless pioneers who laid the foundation for a movement that would transform the world. Before the Reformation: John Wycliffe and Jan Hus brings you two books in one—a compelling look at the lives, battles, and sacrifices of the visionaries who paved the way for the Protestant Reformation. Meet John Wycliffe, the "Morning Star of the Reformation": Discover how this bold thinker defied the Church, translated the Bible into English, and dared to put divine truth into the hands of the common people. ...

At a time when men and women were prepared to kill - and be killed - for their faith, the Protestant Reformation tore the Western world apart. Acclaimed as the definitive account of these epochal events, Diarmaid MacCulloch's award-winning history brilliantly recreates the religious battles of priests, monarchs, scholars, and politicians - from the zealous Martin Luther and his 95 Theses to the polemical John Calvin to the radical Igantius Loyola, from the tortured Thomas Cranmer to the ambitious Philip II.

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.

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.

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.

Continuing her journey from a deeply religious Islamic upbringing to a post at Harvard, the brilliant, charismatic and controversial New York Times and Globe and Mail #1 bestselling author of Infidel and Nomad makes a powerful plea for a Muslim Reformation as the only way to end the horrors of...

Written with an exciting combination of narrative flair and historical authority, this biography of Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard, is “a stunning achievement” (The Sunday Times, London), and “a masterly work of Tudor history that is engrossing, sympathetic, suspenseful, and...

An engrossing volume on the European Reformation by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Will Durant. The sixth volume of Durant's acclaimed Story of Civilization, The Reformationchronicles the history of European civilization from 1300 to 1564.

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.

A Solemn Journey Through Centuries of Faith, Fire, and Blood. The history of the Christian faith is written not just in ink, but in the blood of those who stood firm against the turning tides of culture and empire. The Martyrs' Record: From the Roman Colosseum to the Modern Age offers a sweeping panorama of the ultimate sacrifice, tracing the lineage of courage from the sandy floors of ancient arenas to the silence of modern prison cells. David Michael Curtis guides the reader through the defining eras of persecution, examining the lives of men and women who counted the cost and found it ...

Martin Luther and the Birth of Protestant Thought: A Complete Guide to His Ideas, Influence, and Lasting Legacy is a clear, accessible, and well structured introduction to one of the most influential thinkers in Western history. This book offers readers a guided journey through Luther’s most important ideas, the world that shaped him, and the movement that emerged from his bold challenges to tradition. Written for learners, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to understand the foundations of Protestant theology, it explains the core concepts that defined Luther’s work and why they ...

Church History, Volume Two chronicles the events, the triumphs, and the struggles of the Christian movement from the years leading up to the Reformation through the next five centuries to the present-day. Looking closely at the integral link between the history of the world and that of the...

7 Heroes of the Faith is a brief glimpse into the lives of people who have had a profound influence for Christ in the world. Their stories of courage, faithfulness, sacrifice and perseverance will inspire all who seek to follow in the footsteps of Christ.

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. In fact, while his contentious convictions aroused much ado at home, receiving both praise and contempt from followers and ecclesiastical figures, his messages would be far more resonant across the Channel than they ever were back home.

William Tyndale: Pioneering Translator and Martyr" is a comprehensive book that delves into the life and achievements of William Tyndale, a key figure in the English Reformation. The book is divided into twelve chapters, each exploring different aspects of Tyndale's life and work. From his early life and education to his pursuit of translating the Bible, the book provides a detailed account of Tyndale's journey. The book also sheds light on the challenges and opposition faced by Tyndale during his translation of the New Testament. It explores the controversies and criticisms that arose as a...

In an age of darkness, one man dared to unchain the Word of God. For centuries, England lived under a system in which Scripture was locked in Latin—accessible only to clergy and withheld from the very people to whom God had given it. Into this world stepped John Wycliffe: Oxford scholar, fearless theologian, and the first great champion of the English Bible. Drawing on rigorous research and the surviving writings of Wycliffe and his followers, JOHN WYCLIFFE: Champion of the Bible traces the extraordinary story of the man who declared that Holy Scripture—not popes, councils, or tradition...

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. In fact, while his contentious convictions aroused much ado....

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.