Reviews for History of the Reformation in the sixteenth century;

The average rating for History of the Reformation in the sixteenth century; based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2007-12-28 00:00:00 Todd Grover If the phrase "the polemics of the sixteenth century" means nothing to you, this book will immerse you in the Protestant side (emotions and arguments). Nothing is sharper than Luther's running "commentary" on the text of his excommunication (p. 231). Another great anecdote is the account of a "Saxon nobleman, who had heard Tetzel at Leipsic" and bought a pardon from him for a sin that he had "an intention of committing." The sin? Robbing Tetzel on his way out of town. (p. 91) Luther's sermon, preached while on his way to Worms and in the church of the Augustinians at Erfurth, where he "had been accustomed in former times to unclose the doors and sweep out the church," is on pp.235-6. A very long read, and one which I can take only in small doses, since I hope the polemics of the 16th century give way to "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church," by the grace of the Holy Spirit. (Page numbers are from the edition published in London by the Religious Tract Society circa 1846.)

Review # 2 was written on 2017-11-28 00:00:00 Brett Wells In this work, D'Aubigne brings to life the start of the Reformation in Europe. To do so, he goes back to the pre-papal days of the catholic church and traces how it became distorted by those who sought power and honor. Reading more like a novel than a book of history, we are with Luther as he is awakened to the gospel, as he is tried, and as he is used to spread the Reformation in Germany. Likewise with Zwingle as he is used to proclaim the gospel in Switzerland. Finally, D'Aubigne takes us to England, beginning with the primitive church in the British isles then providing a brief history of how it became a captive of the Papacy. My only complaint with the book was the amount of detail given to the attempt by Henry VIII to secure divorce. While an important part of the Reformation in England, more attention could have been given to other events. In all, a highly recommended book.