What exactly was the Protestant Reformation? Rather than being a linear movement that was sparked by one man—often considered to be Martin Luther—the Reformation is better understood as a series of protests and attempts at reform that reflected the deep dissatisfaction of many people with the spiritual status quo.
During a time of profound corruption, when religious leaders in the Western church exploited the piety and ignorance of regular people, several reformers rose to meet the challenge posed by their sense of spiritual degeneration. Watch this Seven Minute Seminary with Dr. Scott Kisker as he offers the background needed to understand this critical time in the church’s history.
Further Reading (online articles):
- Timeline of the Lutheran Reformation from The Luther Church, Missouri Synod
- Reforming Catholic Confession signed by 1000+ Protestant leaders
- Part I and Part II of “Reading Scripture with the Protestant Reformers” by Catalyst Resources
- “A Wesleyan Take on Protest and Reform” by Dale Coulter at First Things
Further Reading (books from varying theological persuasions):
- Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation by Erwin W. Lutzer
- The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves
- Biblical Authority after Babel: Retrieving the Solas in the Spirit of Mere Protestant Christianity by Kevin J. Vanhoozer
- Roman but Not Catholic: What Remains at Stake 500 Years after the Reformation by Kenneth Collins & Jerry Walls
- Reformation Theology: A Systematic Summary ed. Matthew Barrett