Church History Reformation

Who would have thought that from its humble beginnings as a small group of followers of a Jewish man called Jesus that Christianity would become, less than 2,000 years later, the most widespread religion on Earth? Christianity’s birth and development is a vast, complex story filled with setbacks and contradictions but also with triumphs.

The Dark Ages was a millennium, running from approximately 500 (Rome fell in 476) to 1500 AD (Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were written in 1517); being a three-fold darkness: spiritual, physical, and educational. “One must be accustomed to the light, at least in some measure, to be able to judge of the darkness. A blind man can have no idea of the extent of the darkness around him. It is the same as to moral and spiritual darkness. A person must have some acquaintance with the light of scripture in order to discern the darkness around him. Thus, alas, during the ages under consideration, ...

OUR lot is cast in days when it is the fashion to despise everything that is old. There is a morbid readiness to throw aside all things which bear about them the least mark of antiquity, and to treat them with as little respect as last year’s almanacs or worn-out clothes. The only exceptions I can think of are, old lace, old coins, old pictures, and old wine! But as a general rule, old opinions and old institutions are often condemned as useless lumber, and shovelled out of the way, simply because they are old. Now, I am not one of those who object to all changes and reform of old things....

On March 9, 1522, a band of about a dozen rebellious Christians gathered in a printer's workshop in Grabengasse, Zurich, fully resolved to march to the beat of their own drum. These renegades were intent on broadcasting a message to the corrupt and increasingly dishonorable Catholic Church...Ulrich Zwingli: The Life and Legacy of the Swiss Reformer Who Fought the Catholic Church during the Reformation chronicles the reformer’s life and teachings, and the influence he had on religion.

Jesus asked his heavenly Father to make his followers completely one “so that the world may know that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-23). The Father granted his Son’s prayer. The history of the Church records how Christians, in unity, have recounted the Lord’s teachings, passion, and resurrection, celebrated the holy sacraments instituted by Christ, and made disciples of all peoples. In fact, the unity of the Church offers a compelling witness to the truth of the gospel. Reflecting on the amazing survival and expansion of the early Church, Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), ...

A Godward Gaze is a snapshot of a man on mission. It is about one man who set his sights on the Celestial City and never looked back. His name is John Calvin. He was a pious man, driven by God’s glory and a love for Scripture. His holy pursuit was rare among men and a model for followers of Christ. David Steele points readers to a truly remarkable man - a biblical expositor, a theologian, and a courageous reformer. Calvin changed a city and helped changed the world. His godly example may change your life.

The intriguing story told in this audiobook, recounted in everyday language, deals head-on with some of the most divisive ideas in humanity’s history. For it is religion that is at the heart of secular society’s organization today, whether it is to separate church and state or to combine the two.

The year 2017 is the 500th-year anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany - the event that marked the beginning of the Reformation and the end of unified Christianity. For Catholics, it was an unjustified rebellion by the heterodox; for Protestants, the release of true and purified Christianity from centuries-old enslavement to corruption, idolatry, and error. Benjamin Wiker's account rejects the common distortions of Catholic, Protestant, Marxist, Freudian, or secularist retellings of this world-changing event.

At the beginning of the 16th century, a religious revolution shattered the outward appearance of conformity among Europe's Roman Catholics...a conformity that had been the basis of Western European unity for over a thousand years. Why did it happen? In this brilliant history, Professor Mosse exposes the crisis of the Papacy in preceeding centuries and shows how the need for reform was continually being delayed until it was simply too late.

This book does focus on Calvin's personal search for truth. But it also presents an honest and unbiased historical account of his life and actions, without attempting to sugarcoat or embellish the facts. So, dive into the fascinating life and work of John Calvin, one of the most influential theologians and Reformers in Christian history. This comprehensive and engaging biography uncovers the complex man behind the doctrines and controversies that have shaped Protestantism for centuries. “John Calvin: A Solitary Quest for the Truth” delves deeply into Calvin's life, from his early years ...

A primary barrier to revival is the church’s reluctance to honestly analyze the dark, negative condition of our culture. It is necessary to awaken men to a sense of guilt and danger. ~Charles Finney (Lectures on Revival of Religion) There is increasing pressure from the church in our nation to reject any negative analysis or any call to reformation that reveals what is out of order yet still valued by the people. The spirit of the age is quite brilliant and crafty, and the resulting seduction is overwhelming for many a Christian. The desire for positive, happy experiences is so strong ...

Von ihren bescheidenen Anfängen im Nahen Osten hat sich die christliche Kirche zu einer der wichtigsten sozialen Institutionen der Welt entwickelt. Sie begann mit einer Handvoll von Anhängern Jesu Christi, und heute gibt es etwa 2,5 Milliarden Christen. Das Wachstum der christlichen Kirche ist eines der bemerkenswertesten Ereignisse in der Geschichte der Menschheit.

In Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy, one of our very best writers brings the opulent world of the Tudors to bloody, glittering life. It is the backdrop to the rise and rise of Thomas Cromwell: lowborn boy, charmer, bully, master of deadly intrigue, and, finally, most powerful of Henry VIII’s coutiers. But the bloody theatre of Cromwell’s ascension will leave no one unscathed.

In today's rapidly changing world, where cultural norms, moral values, and spiritual beliefs are constantly evolving, the church finds itself at a crossroads. To navigate these complexities and remain true to its mission, it is essential to go back in time and recover the five solas of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria. These foundational principles, which were articulated during the 16th-century Reformation, provide a robust framework for understanding and living out the Christian faith. By rediscovering and re-embracing these ...