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The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World

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I love church history. I consider it absolutely tragic that so few contemporary Christians have any real sense of their heritage. They know a little bit of New Testament history, can list hundreds of today's best and worst teachers, but know almost nothing of the 2000 years between.

The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World is one of a long line of books authored by Stephen Nichols, professor at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Nichols is a prolific author who seems to be releasing books with impressive regularity. To this point all of his books have centered on church history. He has written several works on Jonathan Edwards, one each on Martin Luther and Gresham Machen, and one providing a guided tour of classic Christian writing. This new title "goes behind the scenes and uncovers the human side of the larger-than-life Reformers through user-friendly narrative stories on the Reformation."

The book is built upon two ideas, both of which I agree with entirely. The first is that the Reformation matters (which indicates that all of church history matters). Nicholas provides four reasons why: first, church history provides lots of examples of Christians from all walks of life who labored to bring their faith to bear upon the world in which they lived; second, church history can be humbling as we realize that we are not a whole lot better and smarter and godlier than people in the past; third, we are humbled by the spiritual insight and spiritual depth of our predecessors in the faith; fourth, we learn what matters most to the Christian faith when we look to church history in general the the Reformation in particular. The second idea behind this book is simply that history can be fun. Though teachers of history can take the fun out of it, this does not indicate that history is just plain boring. When taught well, history is a joy and can bring about many benefits.

The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World serves as a brief and popular introduction to the Reformation, and in particular, to the key figures in each of the nations involved. We first meet Martin Luther and learn about the Reformation in Germany where it began. From there we move to Ulrich Zwingli and Switzerland and then to the Anabaptists. From there we go to John Calvin, Thomas Cramner and other English Reformers, and then we meet the Puritans. The final chapter introduces many of the women of the Reformation, both those notable for being the wives of the Reformers and those who made substantive contributions on their own. A few appendices introduce Reformation-era creeds, prayers, and other writings. One section I appreciated was one dealing with the question of "Do we still need the Reformation?" Answering historians like Mark Noll who argue that the Reformation is over and that unity between Protestants and Catholics can now be achieved, Nichols affirms that the theology at the heart of the Reformation was the very gospel and that we are not at a place where we can have ecumenical unity.

All-in-all, this book serves as a wonderful, popular-level introduction to the key persons and events involved in the Reformation, surely one of history's most pivotal times. It makes for a great springboard to deeper appreciation and thus deeper study of both people and events. It is exactly the kind of book I would put in the hands of new Christians, or simply Christians who have no appreciation of the church's history, so they can benefit from knowing and understanding the history of the church and thus the history of their faith. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Stephen J. Nichols has been coming out with a lot of books lately and has been highly recommended by a lot of people that I respect. I decided to take a look at a couple of his books and this one in particular, being that I am always looking for more information on the Reformation.

Nichols sets this up for an introduction for the differing reformations that happened all over the globe after the way that was paved by Wycliffe and Hus and then finally with the most powerful Martin Luther.

You can actually get a great understanding of where the book will lead you by seeing the different chapter titles.

1. Five Hundred Years Old and Still Going Strong: Why the Reformation Matters Today

2. A Monk and a Mallet: Martin Luther and the German Reformation

3. Some Middle-Aged Men and a Sausage Supper: Ulrich Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation

4. The Not-So-Radical Radical Reformers: The Anabaptists and the Reformation

5. An Overnight Stay in Geneva: John Calvin and the Swiss Reformation

6. A King and a Divorce: The Anglicans and the British Reformation

7. Men in Black: The Puritans and the British Reformation

8. Women in Black Too: The Untold Story of Women and the Reformation

Appendix: In Their Own Words: Selections from Documents of the Reformation

So, as you can see Nichols tries to cover a lot of ground in one little book, as the book, including the appendix is only 150 pages. It is very short in a lot of areas but it has to be so that the reader that is not accustomed to the Reformation can get their pallet wet enough to want to read other works that get more detailed each of these particular reformation periods.

The one thing that was stated at the first of the book that I was excited to see more about, that I found lacking, came when Nichols said we need to "humanize" the people of history. Meaning, we need to show who they were and not merely what they did. I felt as though Nichols did a pretty good job in this with Luther, but felt that this dropped off in the future chapters with the others. This, by no means, makes this book a disappointment and would definitely recommend it to others for an introduction to who and what went before us.

Nichols does make this history very readable and interesting to read without merely spitting out facts, which is happening in another book I am reading on the same subject. The book flows very well and makes you want to learn more about the reformers, instead of seeing history as a dry and dead subject.

I look forward to reading more books by Nichols and would defnitely recommend this to any who need an introduction to the Reformation from Wycliffe to the Puritans.

How do you consolidate into one little book an era that has had thousands of volumes written on it? Well, you have to cut a lot of stuff out, of course. But what makes this book by Stephen Nichols so helpful is what he puts in, and how he does it.

Nichols is a flat out terrific writer. He is able simultaneously write in an informative and entertaining way. His priority is to show that church history matters and that history should be fun. Thankfully, he is aided by some pretty interesting characters in the Reformation period. The chapter titles bear this out:

1. Five Hundred Years Old and Still Going Strong: Why the Reformation Matters Today

2. A Monk and a Mallet: Martin Luther and the German Reformation

3. Some Middle-Aged Men and a Sausage Supper: Ulrich Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation

4. The Not-So-Radical Radical Reformers: The Anabaptists and the Reformation

5. An Overnight Stay in Geneva: John Calvin and the Swiss Reformation

6. A King and a Divorce: The Anglicans and the British Reformation

7. Men in Black: The Puritans and the British Reformation

8. Women in Black Too: The Untold Story of Women and the Reformation

Appendix: In Their Own Words: Selections from Documents of the Reformation

The book is written in an easily understandable way. I read the book out loud at the dinner table to our kids. I will admit that the younger ones (4 & 6) were less than enthralled but my older kids (9 & 13) were engaged. All of this to say, Nichols keeps it moving and it is filled with a lot of the important stuff.

I also found it encouraging that even from a 15,000 foot overview Nichols did not try to cover up the warts of our favorite Reformers. Whether it be Luther's anti-Semitic statements, Calvin's issues with Servetus, the dreadful persecution of the Anabaptists, or Zwingli's organ smashing, we are given a helpful introduction to these guys.

If you are looking for a good introduction to the Reformation I heartily recommend this book by Stephen Nichols.

Stephen Nichols is a story teller and fine writer of history steeped in the writings of Luther's era. His superb book "The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World," was published in 2007 by Crossway Books; he's presented a stirring and deeply relevant volume on the Reformation and its aftereffects.

This work is endorsed by:

- Michael Horton
- Ligonier Ministries
- Steve Brown
- Sinclair Ferguson
- And seemingly all Christians who have read it!

Nichols writing style is winsome, fun, and informative. He takes well known and little known facts concerning the Reformation and makes them interesting in this somewhat undersized but potent volume (159 pages).

Many of the essential people and events are discussed in "The Reformation" including:

- Martin Luther
- John Calvin
- Ulrich Zwingli
- Anglicanism
- The Radical Reformers
- The truth about Calvin's Geneva
- Henry's Divorce and its impact
- The Puritans in England
- The work of women in the Reformation
- And additional splendid material.

The Appendix has Selections from Documents of the Reformation.

This is an outstanding introduction about the History of the Reformation and it makes a fine gift for Mother's Day or pick up a copy for your pastor. This easy-to-understand book is also great for students in Home School (Middle or High school age).
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This book is very interesting and well written for just about anyone to read, not just clergy. It helped me appreciate those who went before to help preserve the Bible and it's teaching. It's not bogged down with boring history, but alive, and wouldn't be the same without the chapter on women of the reformation. My faith was strengthened as I learned more about the background behind the church's beliefs, and mine as well.

If you're not a church history scholar but are interested in the main players of Christian ecclesiology, this is the book for you. Progressing from the 1500's and on, Dr. Nichols traces the rapid movement of Christian doctrine through history without boring the contemporary church member to death. This book captures the main characters in Reformation history covering everyone from Martin Luther to Thomas Cranmer and even including people like Johannes Oecolampadius. Without going into too much detail about the intricacies of theology but just enough to give general ideas, Nichols conveys a clear picture of the historical events that brought about certain doctrinal pillars that still stand today.

Each chapter gives insight into a specific time period and geographical location of the Reformation. Starting with Luther in Germany, Nichols moves to Zwingli/Calvin/Anabaptists and the Swiss Reformation, and then to the Anglicans/Puritans and the British Reformation. Within each chapter, there are spotlights with more information on certain people or events that stand prominently in church history. Though these spotlights can be somewhat distracting when reading straight through the book, they are helpful nonetheless.

The part of the book that I appreciated the most was Nichols' focus on the women of the Reformation, found in the last chapter of the book. I felt this chapter shed new light on the progress of Christianity through history, breaking away from the stereotypical patriarchal image that most Americans gather about the Reformation. As the Reformers championed the institution of marriage and family, there was a need to develop a theology of marriage. What does a minister's family look like? was one of the questions that ran through the minds of the Reformers. But as Nichols writes, "They had formidable wives to help them figure it out." Women like Katherina von Bora (Martin Luther's wife) and Lady Jane Grey (who was persecuted Bloody Mary) were pillars and defenders of correct theology and faithful women in the life of the church. One of the book's strongest points, Nichols does a great job of capturing the loyalty of strong-minded women during the chaos of the Reformation.

To begin to understand the sacrifices, martyrdoms, and persecutions that our Christian brothers and sisters had to go through in order to stay faithful to God's word is humbling at the very least. In a world where most American Christians live comfortably without demand to be decisive about our theology, this book made me wonder whether I would have been so loyal to such doctrines, which therefore makes me examine my convictions more thoroughly. If our goal as Christians is to stand firm upon the truth of God's word, then it is only fitting to be encouraged by those who sacrificed for the truth in centuries past. Though a short and concise book, The Reformation will give you a clear picture of the men and women who did just that.

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The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World by Stephen J. Nichols is a wonderful, if misleadingly subtitled book. Nichols writes an informative and entertaining introduction to the major figures and movements of the Reformation, including Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, the Anabaptists, John Calvin, the Anglicans, the Puritans, and Anne Bradstreet.

Nichols supplements hi mini-histories with three appendices: one with short selections of various documents of each person/group, one of short selections from the catechisms of each person/group, one of short selections from the confessions of each person/group, and one of selected prayers from each person/group.

We used this book for an adult study on the Reformation, and it was a great success, for readability, information, and a taste of the original documents. This is a highly recommended resource for an intro to the Reformation for individuals and group study.

Synopsis:
Stephen J. Nichols has produced a concise account of the pivotal events that forever changed Europe and impacted the whole world during the 16th century Protestant Reformation. He has constructed the book upon two foundational beliefs: The Reformation still matters today and history can be fun. Nichols begins by profiling the biography, character and theology of lawyer turned monk turned reformer Martin Luther. He sparked the flames of revolution beginning in Wittenberg, Germany with the posting of his famous 95 Theses.
The author then moves on to discuss other leaders of the Reformation including Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin. He details how they impacted the Reformation in Switzerland and beyond. There are a couple of chapters highlighting the repercussions of the Reformation in Britain and the birth of the Anglican church as well as the Puritan movement. He also includes a chapter on the Anabaptists and their relation to the Reformation. Nichols also covers how the Reformation impacted women and vice-versa. A handy appendix contains references to the myriad of documents produced during that tumultuous period including Luther's 95 Theses, the Westminster Standards, the Book of Common Prayer and Luther's Large Catechism. Mind you, these are only discussed in terms of content and their impact on culture; no portions of the texts are not supplied.

Kudos:
Nichols' goal of making history fun hit the mark with this reader. I thoroughly enjoyed every page. For me in particular it is a refreshing change of pace from the heavy theological books I have been sticking my nose into recently. I greatly appreciated the reader friendly format: lots of pictures and informative sidebar tidbits keep the reader engaged. His minimalist approach was a smart decision. This is a history book for people who hate reading about history. It neither bores nor confuses. Nichols doesn't get bogged down with unnecessary details and stays focused on the central theme: introducing the major players of the Protestant Reformation and how they impacted the world around them.

Knocks:
This book's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: Brevity. In a mere 159 pages the author expertly guides his readers through history's most pivotal revolution. I came away both informed and entertained. I now have a well-rounded, panoramic view of the Reformation and how a handful of blessed men changed the world by God's grace. However, the book's concise format leaves the reader wanting more - much more. The moment I laid the book down I thought, 'that was great - while it lasted'. I believe that is exactly the effect Nichols intended to have on the reader. He designed the book to simply be an introduction to the vast, rich and rewarding history of the Reformation and its subsequent impact on civilization. It is a tasty morsel intended to whet the appetite for the main course. The problem is, where do I go from here? What book can I read that chronicles the deeper details of the Reformation that will not in some way disappoint me because it is not written as warmly and lively as this volume? It is my hope that Nichols is working on a large scale edition that explores the Reformation even more fully.

Recommendations:
If you are planning to read your first book on the history of the Reformation, this compendium is the perfect launching point. Even if you have read multiple volumes about this topic, The Reformation can still be a valuable cliff notes reference that will help you to keep the big picture fully in view. This is definitely a great book to pick up and read every now and again.

Stephen J. Nichols is starting to build a reputation for making Christian history acessible and fun to read. This little primer on the Reformation is no exception. It serves as a great refresher for those a bit rusty on the big picture or an introduction to those first interested in the topic which undoubtedly is quite daunting. This would also make a great text for homeschoolers.

Nichols gives a brief overview of the key reformers like Luther, Zwingli and Calvin. He surveys the Anabaptist reformers and spends 2 chapters on the Reformation in Great Britan including the exploits of Henry VIII and the Puritans. The book starts with an excellent chapter on why the Reformation is important to study and understand. It was a large scale recovery of the heart of the Christian faith, the gospel itself as expressed in the 5 solas of the Reformation: scripture alone, faith alone, Christ alone, grace alone and to the glory of God alone. The last chapter focuses on important but often forgotten women of the Reformation. Finally the book ends with several apendices that include excerpts from key documents, confessions, catechisms and prayers of the Reformation. The text itself is accompanied by a number of highlighted sections focusing further attention on important issues. There are also quite a number of illustrations, photos and portraits of the reformers that make the book more acessible and enjoyable.

What I like about this little primer is that Nichols inserts at key points important lessons to be learned from the Reformation. Standard academic histories often try to treat its topics with a neutral point of view (however impossible that is). Even when a historical work is sympathetic to its topic it usual tries to hide the fact by being subtle about it. Nichols doesn't wear his sympathies on his sleeve, but he does seek to point out the Biblical truths the Reformation teaches us. He also does not hide the weaknesses, failures and even sins of the reformers. Those are lessons too.

This is a short book by design and so it will not cover many topics. However, I was dissapointed that nothing was said about William Tyndale, the early English reformer and Bible translator. Some emphasis on the precusors to the Reformation might have been helpful as well - men like John Wycliffe and Jan Hus. Otherwise, I was pleased with the book and heartily recommend it to all.

The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World is one of the most entertaining books I have read in awhile. One of Stephen Nichols goals in writing the book was to prove that history can be fun. He succeeded. There were numerous times I was laughing out loud as I read his overview of the Reformation. He makes the men and women of the Reformation come alive. From Zwingli's sausage supper during Lent to Katharina (Katie) von Bora's conquest of Luther's heart, Nichol's presents the human and humorous side of the Reformers.

He also does a great job teaching history. The book has eight chapters covering Luther, Zwingli, the Anabaptist, John Calvin, the British Reformation, the Puritans and the women of the Reformation. Nichols overviews the leading people and events in a compelling narrative that makes the history easy to remember. He even points out things that are frequently not mentioned or considered in overviews of church history. For example, Luther's decision to post the Ninety-Five Theses on October 31, 1517 was likely connected to the celebration of All Saints' Day, the next day. On All Saints' Day pilgrims would file past the relics in the church and appeal to the excess merits of the saints in hopes of pleasing the righteous demands of God - the very activity Luther was trying to correct.

Nichols decision to focus on lesser known (or misunderstood groups) like the Anabaptists, puritans and women brings people who are frequently lost in the shadows of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin into the light of history they deserve. There is also a scorecard in the back of the book that will help you remember the major people and events covered in each chapter.

I highly recommend this book for those who want an initial overview of the Reformation or a quick refresher. I enjoyed it so much that I have added his more extensive book on Luther to my "to be read" list.