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October 31, 2014

The following article is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/october-web-only/top-10-books-on-protestant-reformation.html

Christianity Today, October, 2014

A Reformation Day list, picked by historians and theologians.

/ posted October 31, 2014

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther

nailed his 95 Theses on the Wittenberg
Chapel door (or mailed them) and thus
sparked the Reformation. Today,
Reformation Day, commemorates that
event and the work of Reformers. CT
asked scholars what books they
recommended for better understanding
the Reformation. Heres what they

Image: Getty

suggested.
The Reformation, Diarmaid McCulloch (Penguin)
McCulloch is one of the foremost Reformation historians in our day. His works are
expansive and thorough. While this book is large, its definitely worth the time to invest
in reading it.
~ J. V. Fesko, professor of systematic and historical, Theology Westminster Seminary
California
Reformers in the Wings, David Steinmetz (Oxford)
In this book, Steinmetz covers a number of Reformers largely unknown in the present
day, who stood in the massive shadows of figures like Calvin and Luther. They were
giants in their own day, however, so it behooves us to learn about their contributions to
the Reformation.
~ Fesko
The Unquenchable Flame, Michael Reeves (B&H)
Michael Reeves' book is a thoughtful, concise, and clear account of the major events, people, and ideas
that shaped the Reformation. With theological sensitivity and historical acumen, Reeves explains why the

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Reformation happened. And at a time when many are declaring that the Reformation is
over and that its concerns no longer apply, Reeves gives a charitable and thoughtful
explanation of why it is still important for Christians today and what difference it
should make.
~ Carl Trueman, professor of church history, Westminster Theological Seminary,
Phildelphia
Getting the Reformation Wrong by James R. Payton, Jr. (InterVarsity Press)
Many Christians believe myths about the Reformation, and Getting the Reformation
Wrong sets the record straight about the Reformers and their reforming works. For
example, Luther and Calvin did not jettison all previous Christian tradition and just go
back to the Bible. They highly respected the early church fathers and considered the
early Christian creeds authoritative. This is one of many popular myths that Payton
corrects in his phenomenal book.
~ Roger Olson, professor of theology and ethics at Baylor Universitys Truett Theological Seminary
Here I Stand, Roland Bainton (Abingdon)
Though a little dated now, this is still the first book I would recommend for anyone
wanting to understand the Reformation and its significance. A true masterpiece of a
biography, Here I Stand draws you deep into Luthers life so that you both understand
and feel the significance of what he faced and what he did.
~ Michael Reeves, theological advisor, Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship in
the UK
John Calvin: A Biography, T. H. L. Parker (Westminster John Knox)
You need to be careful what you read on John Calvin: bookshops are cluttered with
opinionated and biased books on him. Parkers sensitive and careful presentation of the
great French Reformer avoids all that, giving a fair and fascinating insight into one of
the Reformations big hitters.
~ Reeves
The Division of Christendom: Christianity in the Sixteenth Century, Hans J.
Hillerbrand (Westminster John Knox)
Hillerbrand is a distinguished historian of the Reformation, known for his many books
on the subject. This volume offers a sophisticated yet accessible presentation of his
prodigious learning on the subject, presenting the Reformation in its complexity
politically, socially, culturallywhile emphasizing that the core of the movement was
religious. In the table of contents, each chapter is described in some detail, making it
easy to use as a work of reference, but the contents of each chapter make reading the book a feast.

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~ James Payton, Jr., professor of history, Redeemer University College

Also recommended:
Theology of the Reformers, Timothy George (B&H)
(Recommended by Scott Manetsch, professor of church history, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
The European Reformations, Carter Lindberg (Wiley-Blackwell)
(Recommended by Scott Manetsch)
Reformation Christianity, Peter Matheson (Fortress Press)
(Recommended by Karen Spierling, associate professor of history, Denison University)

2014 Christianity Today

10/31/2014 11:26 PM