The Reformation: What you need to know and why

by Michael Reeves, John R.W. Stott

Michael Reeves tells the story of the Reformation in a fast-paced style. John Stott (text updated with permission) takes the story forward, looking at the essence of the evangelical faith, and our responsibility now to hold it fast, and to pass it on. In an Appendix, Alan Purser asks us to re-examine what Jesus was praying for in John 17, when he asked his Father that the church may be one. This passage has been misunderstood and mis -preached for centuries. The book, carefully footnoted, includes a Timeline, running from the earliest 'heretik' martyr in Scotland in 1407 to the production of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. We have the precious and eternal gospel' passed down to us through the courage of the Reformers', said the book's Editor, Julia Cameron.'This modest volume gives readers an easy grasp of the racy history of events in Europe. More than that, it shows why we need to know about the Reformation now.'

Genres: Church History, History, Biography, Theology

98 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2017

About the author

Michael Reeves (PhD, King's College, London) is President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology in the UK (www.ust.ac.uk). He is Director of the European Theologians Network, and speaks and teaches regularly worldwide. Previously he has been Head of Theology for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and an associate minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.

Reviews

[Kelton Zacharias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy introduction to Luther and the Evangelical faith.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a short read on the Reformation? I'd recommend this one edited by Jen Cameron. It features a foreword by Lindsay Brown, an essay by Michael Reeves "The Story and Significance of the Reformation," an essay by John Stott, "Keep the Faith and Pass It On," an essay on prayer by Alan Purser, a translation of Martin Luther's 95 Theses, and other helpful features like a timeline and discussion questions.

Michael Reeves' essay is essentially a history lesson--a concise history lesson. Reeves introduces readers to Martin Luther, John Calvin, William Tyndale, etc. What we have here are the basics pure and simple.

John Stott's essay is a passionate plea for doctrinal purity. I loved, loved, LOVED this essay. The book would be worth buying for this essay alone. That is how WONDERFUL it is.

In his essay he sets out to do three things: first, to clarify WHAT the evangelical faith is; second, to examine WHY the evangelical faith matters; third to discuss HOW to pass on the faith. He uses the outline of the Apostle's Creed to dive into the subject of the gospel--what it is that Christians hold to be true. He looks at what Christians believe about the God the Father, what Christians believe about God the Son, and what Christians believe about God the Holy Spirit. Along the way, he touches upon many doctrines.

Favorite quotes:

So we see that the evangelical faith—the biblical faith—is an essentially Trinitarian faith. We believe in God the Father, the God of creation, covenant, and revelation. We believe in God the Son, unique in his person, work, and salvation. And we believe in God the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of life, truth, holiness, love, and glory. While our Christian creed is Trinitarian, it is also Christological—it focuses on Christ. For the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world, and the Holy Spirit bears witness to him, Jesus, that he is Lord (1 John 4:14; 1 Corinthians 12:3). The major attacks on Christianity down the centuries have not surprisingly been attacks on the person and works of Christ. For this reason it has been vital for evangelical confessions of faith to articulate clearly their tenets of belief about him. It is for this reason also that Scripture’s authority and justification by faith were the two major emphases of the Reformation, and are the two major hallmarks of evangelical Christians today. ~ John Stott

The evangelical faith is the gospel. It is the good news of salvation from God through Christ by the Holy Spirit. Our first responsibility, therefore, is to embrace it ourselves with all our hearts and minds secretly, and then go on to confess it with our lips publicly. ~ John Stott

It is not possible to trust in Jesus without first defining who this Jesus is in whom we are putting our trust. Nor is it possible to believe the evangelical faith in our intellect and not trust personally in Jesus on whom our faith focuses. True faith is neither an arid assent to the evangelical faith with the mind alone; nor a mindless commitment to an undefined Jesus. ~ John Stott

The incarnation is the most spectacular cross-cultural event in the history of the world. God’s Son entered our world. He left the culture of heaven and he entered into the culture of the earth. We too have to learn to enter other people’s worlds, both their thought world and the personal world of their pain, alienation, and loneliness. Only then, when we are inside their territory, which is home to them though alien to us, can we share with them the good news in a way that they will understand. ~ John Stott

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little primer on the reformation, but likely too small and simple for anyone familiar with even the basics of the reformation. Admittedly its purpose is to introduce the reformation to those who know nothing or little about it, so in respect to the scope of the project the authors accomplish their primary objective effectively.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short introduction to the Reformation. Well written.

[Peter Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief pithy overview by two of my favouries authors - Michael Reeves and John Stott. Contains helpful timeline and Luther's 95 theses and one review by each author on what the reformation was about and what it means today. Good foreword too by Lindsay Brown.

[Dave Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book to give you a short over view of the Reformation. The first part focuses on the key events and people that set about the birth of this major step in Church history and altered the shape of the world today. The second part is the theology of The Reformers ending with Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, that were nailed to the door.
This book gives you a concise overview but does not intend to give you the full account and there are plenty of books that do, it Is however a very easy read that flows and will not bamboozle you. I do recommend this to anyone who wants to know the key points and not trying to pass a degree in the subject.
I have been given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a honest review.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divided into two essays and an appendix, this is a VERY brief introduction to the Reformation. I wished the historical portion was longer and gave some more detail. Hoping to use this as an intro to the Reformation, but it is just too brief for that purpose. One gem is the appendix, which contains Martin Luther's "Ninety-Five Theses." I recommend this book (it does a good job with what it does), but it would have been better if the first portion (this historical) took up the whole book and went into greater depth.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful and accessible little book. I'm not one for history, and struggle to fit Church history in to where it should be. However, this was interesting and encouraging. I enjoyed reading how the Reformation begun and picked up speed, and also was glad to read the 95 theses, as I'd always wondered what exactly they said!

[David Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just right

I new a little about the Reformation. I learned a little more about the changes that the reformers were trying to accomplish. It was well written and keep me interested. It all made sense. I would recommend it to all people everywhere.

[Joel Wiedrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short primer on some of reformation history. Will need to read some larger works and different perspectives on the subject, but this was a good intro. Stott's writing on unity was probably the best part of the book. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read (started/finished in one day), but no less powerful by its brevity! I appreciated the overview of the Reformation and contending for evangelical faith (a term that, in fact, dates to the first century).

[Ian Mcallister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Love the stand that men of God took for the word of God and wish that christian's everywhere would take a stand again against all wickedness and evil !

[David Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short intro introduction to Luther and the reformation. It’s brevity leaves you with more questions than answers but it does provide a list of resources for further reading.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little booklet giving some of the overview of what happened in the Reformation and why it still matters for us today. Not an in-depth take on it, but a good beginning guide.

[Gerald Farinas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Preaching to the choir of Christian fundamentalism

This short treatise comes from a theologically conservative point of view that attacks mainline Protestantism and Catholicism both directly and in passive aggressive ways.

[Tengxiang]

Short book. John Stott's exposition on Unity in John 17 is refreshing.