The Reformation Era, 1500-1650

by Harold John Grimm

Studies the causes, character, and consequences of the rise of Protestantism and the Catholic reforms within the context of European history

Genres: History, Church History, Nonfiction

594 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1948

Reviews

[Erik Graff]

One of my most satisfying discoveries in seminary was that I enjoyed church history, even the details of their ideological disputes. Reading this book, then, was intending as a bit of a refresher on the material covered in the second of Union Theological Seminary's three-course sequence on the subject.

As a refresher, yes, it served, but although this text seems to have been written for something like a seminary readership, it certainly wasn't as good as the books we were assigned. On the one hand, Grimm assumes rather a lot of general historical knowledge on the part of his readers. On the other hand, he's weak on the theological arguments that so exercised the leaders of the reformation and counter-reformation. Insofar as he delves with any depth it is as regards Luther, causing me to wonder if that was his own background, and, secondarily, Calvin.

[Albert Meier]

Very sold survey of the Reformation Era. Did not come off as a partisan of any particular side or creed. Although I might have minor quibbles about how he summarized areas with which I have deeper familiarity, he was accurate enough in those areas for me to trust him in matters about which I knew less. Not the last word on any subject, but certainly a worthy place to start.

[Kohnhead]

The most balanced book on the Reformation that refuses to demonize either side.

[Richard]

This one was hard reading. Not for a novice.