Customer Reviews

Reform and Conflict: From the Medieval World to the Wars of Religion, AD 1350-1648 (Baker History of the Church)

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In the opening pages of this book Professor Heinze tells the story of Johann Sleidan (1506-1556), who wrote one of the earliest histories of the Reformation. What is notable about Sleidan is that he made a conscious effort to be fair to all parties at a time when impartiality in history writing was nearly unheard of. Prof Heinze has clearly made every effort to follow in Sleidan's noble footsteps, and the result is a work which is a joy to read.

It is abundantly evident that Prof Heinze is on top of all the latest research and schools of thought; in fact, it is amazing to learn that you could arrive at a somewhat warped understanding of the Reformation (which occurred nearly 500 years ago) if you neglected to consider research done since 1980! But for all that Prof Heinze doesn't let his erudition get in the way of good storytelling.

The section on the English Reformation has been most interesting to me; it has helped me to understand how the Puritans came to be who they were and how they fit into the larger society. And if you think your family is dysfunctional, just read about Henry VIII and his extended family. You couldn't make this stuff up!

The format of the book is superb. As with all Baker books, the typography is attractive and legible. One of the best features is a "Suggestions for Further Reading" section at the back that gives annotated suggestions for each chapter with separate sublists for primary and secondary works.

This book comprises a lot more than most church histories on the reformation. It is sure not a book any partisan of any theological party in the reformation times can read with the satisfaction that his party has been right all the time - on the contrary. It honestly describes all parties with their bright and dark sides. It differentiates well between Luther's, Zwingli's and Calvin's background and theology, takes up the conflicts between Calvinists and Lutherans and the conflicts between Lutherans and Lutherans and Calvinists and Calvinists.

Heinze treats some aspects of the reformation times which are not included in the usual church history on the reformation: he describes the military conflicts resulting of it, Catholic and Protestant missionary enterprises outside of Europe, the impact of the reformation on literature, art, science and education. A special mention is deserved for the chapter on women in the reformation which includes beside general aspects the life of Wibrandis Rosenblatt, wife of the reformers Oecolampadius, Capito and Bucer, and the church reform activities of Vittoria Colonna, the Italian poet.

What I liked especially was the non-partisan attitude and the viewpoint of the historian who not only cites sources but also takes up the past and current main views and debates on the subject. It makes use of the most recent research and the extensive endnotes make an interesting reading by themselves.

The book is very well readable - and it probably will give anyone a less glorious and more realistic view of his own church during reformation times.

Heinze's book is an excellent one volume introduction to the Reformation period, suitable for a college level text. In fact I will use it as such the next time I teach "The Reformers and the Reformation" at Booth College. It's long reformation extends from 1350-1648 nicely framing the central events in a larger context. The work of revisionist historians is taken seriously but Heinze also wants his readers to understand and appreciate the insights of older historians and the importance of their work. The Monarch History of the Church (Baker History in the US) is an outstanding multi-volume series, and this is the third of the four volumes appearing so far that I have read. Each one delivers in terms of avoiding too much technical discussion but at the same time introducing the reader to recent scholarship on key issues in dispute. The books are attractive and inexpensive (you can opt for the hardback or paperback editions), and include helpful timelines and suggestions for further reading after each chapter.