Books tagged: biography

Theology of the Reformers

25th Anniversary
Timothy George
First released in 1988, this 25th Anniversary Edition of Timothy George’s Theology of the Reformers includes a new chapter and bibliography on William Tyndale, the reformer who courageously stood at the headwaters of the English Reformation. Also included are expanded opening and concluding chapters and updated bibliographies on each reformer. Theology of the Reformers articulates the theological self-understanding of five principal figures from the period of the Reformation: Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, Menno Simons, and William Tyndale. George establishes the context for their work by describing the spiritual climate of their time. Then he profiles each reformer, providing a picture of their theology that does justice to the scope of their involvement in the reforming effort. George details the valuable contributions these men made to issues historically considered pillars of the Christian faith: Scripture, Jesus Christ, salvation, the church, and last things. The intent is not just to document the theology of these reformers, but also to help the church of today better understand and more faithfully live its calling as followers of the one true God. Through and through, George’s work provides a truly integrated and comprehensive picture of Christian theology at the time of the Reformation.

Five English Reformers

John Charles Ryle
The conviction that martyrs, though dead, can still speak to the church, led Ryle to pen these pungent biographies of five English Reformers. He analyses the reasons for their martyrdom and points out the salient characteristics of their lives.

Here I Stand

A Life of Martin Luther
Roland Herbert Bainton
With sound historical scholarship and penetrating insight, Roland Bainton examines Luther's widespread influence. He re-creates the spiritual setting of the sixteenth century, showing Luther's place within it and influence upon it. Richly illustrated with more than 100 woodcuts and engravings from Luther's own time, Here I Stand dramatically brings to life Martin Luther, the great Reformer. A specialist in Reformation history, Roland H. Bainton was for forty-two years Titus Street Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale, and he continued his writing well into his twenty years of retirement. Bainton wore his scholarship lightly and had a lively, readable style. His most popular book was Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther (1950), which sold more than a million copies. Hendrickson Classic Biographies feature enduring stories about real people whose lives have been touched and transformed by God, and who in turn have touched others with God's love. Each story has been carefully selected, gently edited if necessary, and freshly typeset, making every account--be it ancient or contemporary--a compelling read. Great lives reaching across the ages to touch lives today, encouraging, challenging, and inspiring.

The Legacy of Martin Luther

R. C. Sproul
He was the most influential man of his day. The movement that began with his posting of the Ninety-five Theses reshaped Europe, redirected Christian history, and recovered the truth of Gods word. Five hundred years later, what is Luthers legacy? In this volume, R.C. Sproul, Stephen J. Nichols, and thirteen other scholars and pastors examine his life, teaching and enduring influence. Meet Martin Luther, the mercurial Reformer who, out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, set the world ablaze.

William Tyndale

A Biography
David Daniell
Traces the life of William Tyndale, the first person to translate the Bible into English from the original Greek and Hebrew and discusses the social, literary, religious, and intellectual implications of his work.

Tyndale

The Man who Gave God an English Voice
David Teems
William Tyndale brought the English scripture to the common citizen. His efforts ultimately cost him his life, but his contribution to English spirituality is measureless. Five centuries after his death at the stake, Tyndale's presence still looms wherever English is spoken. The author tells the story of the man known as the "architect of the English language," the English Paul who defied a kingdom and a tyrannical church to introduce God to the plowboy.

John Knox

John Murray
John J.Murray shows how Knox, as well as modelling the Church in Scotland, laid the foundation of an extraordinary forward-looking new state, way ahead of the time in such matters as education, social welfare and democracy. The Reformation had its effect in all spheres of national life and John Knox roused the common man to a sense of his true dignity. Knox himself said: 'Before God all men are equal. In matters of religion God requires no less of the subject, be he ever so poor, than of the prince and the rich man.' Educationally the Reformation gave a great impetus to literacy as the common people learned to read the Bible for themselves. Knox brought forward the first comprehensive scheme of national education, where every parish would have a schoolmaster and every notable town a college, and where the children of the poor would have their education free. The importance of education became a basic characteristic of the Scots both at home and abroad.

Ulrich Zwingli

Shepherd Warrior
William Boekestein
The story of the inspirational reformer They can kill the body but not the soul! Part of the Trailblazers biography Series

John Calvin

Selections from His Writings
John Calvin
This volume presents texts selected from the full range of John Calvin's writings, including excerpts from commentaries, sermons, letters, catechisms, tracts, broad-based theological works.

Heralds of the Reformation

Thirty Biographies of Sheer Grace
Richard M. Hannula
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 thirty short, but profound stories of Reformation-era courage. They can easily be read alout to children or used by homeschoolers as part of their curriculum. Additionally, this book includes an overview of key events in the Reformation, a detailed Timeline from 1516 to 1598, seven short summaries of Reformation Basics, and comprehension questions and answers on all thirty biographies.

Thomas Cranmer

Colin Hamer
Thomas Cranmer, one of the Reformations most famous martyrs, can accurately be described as the architect of the Church of England, and consequently, of the worldwide Anglican communion. Despite this, compared with other key figures of the Reformation, little has been written about him in recent years. This omission is both remarkable and understandable: remarkable, because undoubtedly Crammers involvement in Englands break with the historic Roman Church was crucial a break which formed the foundation for the freedom of the gospel in England for the next 450 years; understandable, because his was no dramatic conversion loved by story tellers - rather he undertook a life-time journey away from the Roman sacramental system to an understanding that heaven was the gift of God to all those whom he loves. And, despite the fact that we are all fallen men and women, we so often want to see our heroes as giants, able to cope with every situation life throws at them without faltering - Cranmer was not such a man. This book looks to assess his life from the perspective of a 21st century evangelical Christian that is someone who accepts the Bible as the final authority on what God requires of men and women in this life. It is a term that Cranmer, as he neared his famous, dreadful, and glorious end, would have been happy to have applied to himself.

Light from Old Times

John Charles Ryle
The nineteenth century was an age that witnessed great progress in many areas of exploration and learning. However, according to J.C. Ryle, it was an age of great ignorance too. 'With all the stir made about education', he wryly observed, 'the ignorance of our own country's history is something lamentable and appalling and depressing.' What particularly distressed Ryle was the scant knowledge of the English Reformation evident amongst his contemporaries. In this lay a grace danger: one of the reasons so many congregations drift form their evangelical foundations is their sheer ignorance of Christian history, and their lack of understanding of the major doctrinal controversies and why they matter. Ryle's abiding hope for Light From Old Times is that our souls will be stirred to prayer and action by the great testimonies of Reformers and Puritans found within its pages, and then that we will dig deeper into the writings of these spiritual giants.

Reformation Women

Sixteenth-Century Figures Who Shaped Christianity's Rebirth
Rebecca VanDoodewaard
Women are an essential element in church history. Just as Deborah, Esther, and the New Testament Marys helped shape Bible history, so the women of the Reformed church have helped to make its history great. In Reformation Women , Rebecca Vandoodewaard introduces readers to twelve sixteenth-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. Their strength and bravery will inspire you, and your understanding of church history will become richer as you learn how God used them to further the Reformation through their work and influence. Table of Contents: Anna Reinhard Anna Adlischweiler Katharina Schutz Margarethe Blaurer Marguerite de Navarre Jeanne d’Albret Charlotte Arbaleste Charlotte de Bourbon Louise de Coligny Catherine Willoughby Renee of Ferrara Olympia Morata