Reform : The Church at the Birth of Protestantism

1485–1600Protesting Protestants. Spiritual darkness had swept across the continent.  Throughout the Christian lands of Europe, the clarity of God’s grace given through Jesus Christ had dimmed. A system of human effort designed to achieve God’s favor meant people were confused about Scripture,about salvation, and about the purpose of life.  But in those dark times, light dawned.  To rekindle the Church, a radical reformation was needed. Brave individuals challenged long–held teachings that had drifted from Scripture. Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Thomas Cranmer led movements of reformation in their nations. They called the church back to basics: the clear teaching of the Bible, to Christ, to faith, to grace, to life to the glory of God. Others, such as Patrick Hamilton, William Tyndale, and Lady Jane Grey, sought to continue this enterprise, sometimes at the cost of their lives.  These bold Christians—called Protestants for their protest against the established and wayward Church practices of the day—sought to be faithful to Christ in their world and, in the process, they offered in a new world that endures today.  The Risen Hope series is a narrative–driven journey through the history of the Church. Introducing key people and events from the last two thousand years, readers will be captivated by the fascinating stories and engaging style. Continuing the legacy of its predecessor, the History Livesseries, the Risen Hope series is a breath of fresh air on the church history scene.  Book 3 of 5.