The essays in The Beauty and Glory of the Reformation call you to be grateful to God and to grow in appreciation for the rich biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical heritage passed on by the great sixteenth-century Reformation. Through these studies, you will be challenged to treasure basic Reformation principles such as Scripture alone, Christ alone, and the glory of God alone, as well as to grow in awareness of what amazing spiritual mentors and models of godliness a variety of Reformation stalwarts were and what they can still teach us today. These include Martin Luther, William Tyndale, Hugh Latimer, and William Perkins; lesser-known pastors in Geneva; and women such as Katherine Luther, Katharina Zell, Anna Bullinger, Katherine Willoughby, and Catherine de Bourbon. You will also discover the reformers commitment to propagate the gospel to all nations and the riches of the Reformation view of missions. Finally, you will be treated to insightful essays on Augustine as an important backdrop to the Reformation and on the beauty and glory of the Christology of the Reformation. The authors pray that these essays will help you increasingly become genuine sons and daughters of the Reformation by following the Reformers' lives and teachings insofar as they followed the Lord Jesus Christ.

Authors include: 

• Andrew Ballitch
• Joel Beeke
• Ian Hamilton
• Michael Haykin
• Elias Medeiros
• Stephen Myers
• Carl Trueman
• Rebecca VanDoodeward
• William VanDoodeward

About the Editor:

Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also serves as a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, and as editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books

Table of Contents:

Preface

Bright Lights in the History of the Reformation

1. William Tyndale and Sola Scriptura—Michael Haykin

2. “Meat, not Strawberries”: Hugh Latimer and Biblical Preaching in the English Reformation—Michael Haykin

3. The Reformers’ Commitment to the Propagation of the Gospel to All Nations: A Historical Consideration—Elias Medeiros

4. Lessons for Today from Less Known Reformers: The Company of Pastors in Geneva—William VanDoodewaard

The Experiential Flame of the Reformation

5. Soli Deo Gloria: Why There Was a Reformation (Romans 11:36)—Ian Hamilton

6. Solus Christus: The Preaching That Defined the Reformation—Ian Hamilton

The Practical Lessons of the Reformation for Today

7. What Augustine Teaches Us Today—Carl Trueman

8. What Luther Teaches Us Today: Theology of Preaching—Carl Trueman

9. What William Perkins Teaches Us Today—Joel R. Beekeand Andrew Ballitch

10. Learning from Women of the Reformation—Rebecca VanDoodewaard

11. What the Christology of the Reformation Teaches Us Today—Stephen Myers

12. Missions: What Have We Learned from the Reformers—Elias Medeiros

Endorsements

“The Protestant Reformation represents a great act of God through the actions of imperfect people. It is important for believers and their children to draw historical, experimental, and practical examples from such people to remind us of what God has done and what He can do through people like us. This book achieves these ends well. The chapters by Ian Hamilton and Carl Trueman alone make this book gripping, edifying, and even entertaining reading for believers of all ages and levels of maturity.”

—Ryan M. McGraw, Morton H. Smith Professor of Systematic Theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

“The Protestant Reformation never gets old. It is a riveting story, full of courageous and inspiring characters who were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the gospel. In this fresh compendium of Reformation sketches, written by an array of gifted and notable authors, the thoughtful reader’s soul will be stirred by the accounts of the brave men and women who stood fast in the truth—no matter the cost. Historically gripping and devotionally rich, this volume makes a wonderful addition to every Christian’s shelf.”

— Jon D. Payne, pastor, Christ Church Presbyterian, Charleston, South Carolina

“Insightful, scholarly, and extraordinarily informative—just when you think there’s no more to learn about the Reformation, along comes this magnificent record of conference addresses with its fresh insights and energy! Yes, energy—you can ‘hear’ the urgency and passion of these pages because they were first given as conference addresses. Sadly, I missed the conference but am grateful beyond words that I can read these pages as a permanent record on a vitally important period of history. A magnificent achievement in every way.”

—Professor Derek W. H. Thomas, senior minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina; Chancellor’s, Reformed Theological Seminary; and teaching fellow, Ligonier Ministries

“When a dozen scholars of the Reformation are gathered together and then all of them are asked to speak from their hearts concerning the most glorious years in the history of the church, what results? This cornucopia of their messages—warm, totally in sympathy with the central truths of the Reformers, but not blind to their humanity or the weaknesses of that age—which are convicting, enlightening, faith-enhancing, motivating, and sparkling with vignettes of some of the finest men and women this world has ever witnessed. What a delightful digest of that period in history and what relevant messages for today! There is little better to remind us about our inheritance.”

—Geoff Thomas, assistant pastor at Amyand Park Chapel, London