While it is well known that Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the Castle Church’s door in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, the broader details, figures, and events of the Reformation may be unfamiliar to us. Those in the Protestant tradition certainly have reason to celebrate the movement for its goal of recovering the true biblical gospel, but there is so much more! It is worth the dive into this pivotal time in history to obtain a deeper understanding of the Protestant Reformed tradition, the theologians involved, and the testimony of God’s faithfulness to his church. Below are just a few books that will grow your knowledge, and also your love of the Reformation and of our great God, by whose providence the Reformation took place.
1. Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings
It is one thing to hear about something, it is another to see it for yourself. So it is with the life and works of Martin Luther. This volume of collected works from Luther’s life gives a great window into the Reformer’s wit, convictions, passion, and zeal for the true biblical gospel to be recovered through reforming the church. In reading through Luther’s famous works, one is encouraged by the beauty of Christ, the real hope of justification, and a persuasion of why the church needed a reformation.
2. Calvin: Theological Treatises
While known as a reserved man, this volume sets forth some of John Calvin’s most personal and moving writings. His The Necessity of Reforming the Church to Emperor Charles V shows that Calvin was not just a theologian, but also a pastor who was deeply concerned about Christ’s honor and the church’s purity. Additionally, Calvin’s Reply to Sadoleto is a window into his shepherd’s heart. Written in 1539 after he was exiled from Geneva, this letter was written to try to keep Protestants from returning to the Catholic Church under the influence of Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto. Within this letter, one is set into the throws of the Reformation and why the Reformers had such a passion for reclaiming the teachings of the church: people’s souls were at stake.
3. Reformations: The Early Modern World, 1450-1650—Carlos Erie
History and events do not happen in a vacuum. Instead, historical facts and stories are greatly illuminated when set in their broader context and parallel to other significant events of the time. In this book, Carlos Erie masterfully and engagingly sets the Protestant Reformation in its historical, political, and social environment. In addition to detailing the bigger picture of the world in which the Reformation occurred, this book illuminates the specifics of the individual Reformers and their contributions to the movement.
4. Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology Of The Canons Of Dort—W. Robert Godfrey
While theological indifference abounds today, it was not so during the time of the Reformation. Specifically focusing on the Dutch Reformed movement behind the Synod of Dort (1618-1619), this book details the historical context, defense, and preservation of Reformed theology in the Netherlands over the rise of Arminian theology that threatened the stability of the Reformation. Furthermore, in studying the Synod's Reformed affirmations and defense against Arminian theology, Robert Godfrey shows that these doctrines are not just high and abstract points of theology, but are rich with pastoral and practical significance for the Christian life.
5. Reformation Sketches: Insights Into Luther, Calvin, And The Confessions—W. Robert Godfrey
When reading any book, it can become easy to lose sight of the humanity of the author in place of his arguments. This book brings the lives and personalities of the various Reformers to light, revealing the character, struggles, and unique quirks of the men behind the Reformation’s busiest pens. Additionally, this work draws attention to the most significant works of the major Reformers, encouraging the reader to look into those original writings. This book also brings attention to perhaps less well-known—but no less important—pastors and theologians who served God’s church faithfully during this period.
6. Pilgrim Theology: Core Doctrines For Christian Disciples—Michael Horton
As someone who grew up in the Reformed tradition, I was slow to grasp the full interconnected teaching of Reformed theology. Reading Pilgrim Theology in college was an enlightenment unto itself. Showing the unified teaching of Reformed theology from the Doctrine of God to the Doctrine of the Church, this book gives a helpful overview of the high points and key terms of the Reformed tradition. It draws from a plethora of Reformed theologians through different periods in history, leaving a reader with a greater awe, not just of theological tradition, but more importantly of the marvelous and glorious nature of the Triune God.
7. The Theology of the Westminster Standards: Historical Context & Theological Insights—J.V. Fesko
Drawing attention to the fascinating and often very politically entwined events of the English Reformation, this book gives the context for the Westminster Assembly and the production of one of the most important documents from the Reformation: the Westminster Confession of Faith. While the Reformers in their day were accused of being schismatic for breaking from the Catholic Church, the insights of this book show how deeply steeped they were in the doctrines of the Church Fathers and how committed they were to being Reformed catholics in their theology. Through a survey of the original sources of the Westminster Divines, this book shows the function of the Westminster Confession of Faith in its context: to affirm clearly what it teaches and rejects without being overly dogmatic in areas within the tradition where there can be variety.
In reading through these works, we can glean the wisdom and insights of those Christians who went before us. Additionally, these authors and theologians continue to give us the opportunity to be convicted by one of the most important principles of the Reformation: that our churches and our lives conform to the word of God.
