What do you think?
Rate this book
The European Reformations
This narrative description and analysis of the European Reformations of the sixteenth century begins with a chapter on the history and historiography of Reformation scholarship and concludes with an extended reflection on the Reformations' religious, social, and cultural legacies. The storyline sets the initia Reformationis in the context of late medieval social, economic, and religious crises, and traces its differentiation through a series of internal and external crises into various Reformation movements which acquired specificity through confessionalization.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 1991
52 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 10, 2013
Note: This review is of the 2010 Second Ed.
The 5 stars are based on its intention to be a college textbook. Surely there are better narrative accounts for scholars or amateurs. But for a textbook, this does most things very well, and where it's weak, almost all other textbooks are as well.
Strengths:
Format - The chapters are a good size. No footnotes or endnotes, just judicious parenthetical citations. "For Further Reading" section at the end of each chapter. Good back matter (maps, charts, glossary, etc.).
Bibliography - Lindberg really is caught up on his reading. I am a professional Reformation scholar and marked a few new sources to check out.
Balanced Historiography - Lindberg takes a stand on the essentially religious nature of the Reformation but liberally employs social and cultural history. Really, there are only a few sections heavy on theology.
Tone/Style - Lindberg's writing is entertaining without being patronizing. He employs the occasional witty jab and is not shy about drawing some lessons for the present.
Weaknesses:
Pro-Protestant - I'm not sure Catholicism gets quite a fair shake in this volume. His interpretation of late medieval piety as flawed relies (partly) on the tendentious argument that Luther's psychology accurately reflects the average person's thought about salvation. There are more positive ways to construe some late medieval developments. Also, the closing chapter on "Legacies of the Reformations" almost totally omits Catholic areas, which were also exhibiting significant social change.
Slow Start - The first chapter is devoted to historiography. I understand that scholars like to discuss method, but college students probably need a little more incentive to read than a secondary source survey provides.
The 5 stars are based on its intention to be a college textbook. Surely there are better narrative accounts for scholars or amateurs. But for a textbook, this does most things very well, and where it's weak, almost all other textbooks are as well.
Strengths:
Format - The chapters are a good size. No footnotes or endnotes, just judicious parenthetical citations. "For Further Reading" section at the end of each chapter. Good back matter (maps, charts, glossary, etc.).
Bibliography - Lindberg really is caught up on his reading. I am a professional Reformation scholar and marked a few new sources to check out.
Balanced Historiography - Lindberg takes a stand on the essentially religious nature of the Reformation but liberally employs social and cultural history. Really, there are only a few sections heavy on theology.
Tone/Style - Lindberg's writing is entertaining without being patronizing. He employs the occasional witty jab and is not shy about drawing some lessons for the present.
Weaknesses:
Pro-Protestant - I'm not sure Catholicism gets quite a fair shake in this volume. His interpretation of late medieval piety as flawed relies (partly) on the tendentious argument that Luther's psychology accurately reflects the average person's thought about salvation. There are more positive ways to construe some late medieval developments. Also, the closing chapter on "Legacies of the Reformations" almost totally omits Catholic areas, which were also exhibiting significant social change.
Slow Start - The first chapter is devoted to historiography. I understand that scholars like to discuss method, but college students probably need a little more incentive to read than a secondary source survey provides.
September 6, 2022
Um dos melhores livros sobre as reformas que aconteceram na Reforma Protestante. Valeu a leitura!
February 18, 2025
Great book what is very informative but a slow read. One of those scientific books that seem to have been written by an Englishman due to the sarcastic remarks. It made me laugh and it also made me understand protestantism and the catholic reaction better. Really recommend it.
August 18, 2024
Genuinely one of the most engaging and readable (dare I say riveting?) history textbooks I've ever read.
September 27, 2024
This was required reading for my Church History II course in seminary.
While I didn’t finish the entire book, I did manage to read most of it. Lindberg is undoubtedly a knowledgeable historian, especially when it comes to the facts of the European Reformation. However, he lacks the ability to present these facts in a compelling narrative. A great history book should not only provide accurate information but also engage the reader with captivating storytelling. Unfortunately, this book falls short in that regard, making it a rather dry read.
Additionally, the content is extremely dense, with almost every sentence packed with information. This makes it challenging to digest and requires significant effort to fully grasp.
If you're looking for an alternative, I would recommend The Reformation as Renewal by Matthew Barrett, which may provide a more engaging reading experience.
While I didn’t finish the entire book, I did manage to read most of it. Lindberg is undoubtedly a knowledgeable historian, especially when it comes to the facts of the European Reformation. However, he lacks the ability to present these facts in a compelling narrative. A great history book should not only provide accurate information but also engage the reader with captivating storytelling. Unfortunately, this book falls short in that regard, making it a rather dry read.
Additionally, the content is extremely dense, with almost every sentence packed with information. This makes it challenging to digest and requires significant effort to fully grasp.
If you're looking for an alternative, I would recommend The Reformation as Renewal by Matthew Barrett, which may provide a more engaging reading experience.
March 15, 2019
Obra completa, um verdadeiro tratado sobre a história da reforma, contrarreforma e outros assuntos da época.
May 14, 2020
I purchased this book for a more detailed introduction on the Reformation in 16th century Europe based on its appearance on a reading list from a major evangelical seminary. My time and investment were well spent.
Carter Lindberg taught church history at the Boston University School of Theology. Knowing this university's seminary isn't very solid on doctrinal matters from an evangelical perspective, I was a looking to learn but certainly, as always, desiring to read critically as I began to read.
Dr. Lindberg does an admirable job of attempting to provide a fairly deep overview of the Reformation on a chronological and a geographic basis, as well as pre-existing Catholic reform movements and the Counter Reformation. This diverse set of characters and national and church circumstances explain his well-chosen title, of Reformations in the plural, rather than in the singular.
Dr. Lindberg worked to avoid hagiography asserting that most traditional histories of the Reformation being written by Protestant scholars had taken social and political history and tended towards skewering Catholicism. At the same time, he seeks to write as an insider with an affection for the Reformers and a belief, I think, in their project, while being fair to Catholicism and seeking to understand that church on its own terms without hiding the warts.
Moreover, the author incorporates the broader and more recent trends in social and political history. This adds depth to his discussions. Thus, we can see how Protestant princes within the German states as part of the Hapsburg Empire provided crucial protection for Luther and his colleagues, for example, while the blood persecution and martyrdom inflicted on French Protestants led to Huguenot flight and the circumstances of Geneva led to quite another path for Calvin.
While I am not formally schooled in theology, I found helpful Dr. Lindberg's detailed and sympathetic discussions of the roots of theological differences, not only between the Catholic church of the later middle ages, but also among the various reformers. Being more formed in the context, as a lawyer and as an American, as well as a Baptist layman, to value freedom of religion, the medieval European assumption that failure to believe and to practice according to the church's doctrine should be enforced by the local government.
This book is a good starting point for learning about the Reformation. One thing I became aware of was just how much of this important period of the history of the Christian church and Europe I do not know. That's important as well for its continuing influence upon the course of American history and perhaps world history. The list of suggested books for reading accompanying each chapter will allow for further exploration of various topics and details.
Carter Lindberg taught church history at the Boston University School of Theology. Knowing this university's seminary isn't very solid on doctrinal matters from an evangelical perspective, I was a looking to learn but certainly, as always, desiring to read critically as I began to read.
Dr. Lindberg does an admirable job of attempting to provide a fairly deep overview of the Reformation on a chronological and a geographic basis, as well as pre-existing Catholic reform movements and the Counter Reformation. This diverse set of characters and national and church circumstances explain his well-chosen title, of Reformations in the plural, rather than in the singular.
Dr. Lindberg worked to avoid hagiography asserting that most traditional histories of the Reformation being written by Protestant scholars had taken social and political history and tended towards skewering Catholicism. At the same time, he seeks to write as an insider with an affection for the Reformers and a belief, I think, in their project, while being fair to Catholicism and seeking to understand that church on its own terms without hiding the warts.
Moreover, the author incorporates the broader and more recent trends in social and political history. This adds depth to his discussions. Thus, we can see how Protestant princes within the German states as part of the Hapsburg Empire provided crucial protection for Luther and his colleagues, for example, while the blood persecution and martyrdom inflicted on French Protestants led to Huguenot flight and the circumstances of Geneva led to quite another path for Calvin.
While I am not formally schooled in theology, I found helpful Dr. Lindberg's detailed and sympathetic discussions of the roots of theological differences, not only between the Catholic church of the later middle ages, but also among the various reformers. Being more formed in the context, as a lawyer and as an American, as well as a Baptist layman, to value freedom of religion, the medieval European assumption that failure to believe and to practice according to the church's doctrine should be enforced by the local government.
This book is a good starting point for learning about the Reformation. One thing I became aware of was just how much of this important period of the history of the Christian church and Europe I do not know. That's important as well for its continuing influence upon the course of American history and perhaps world history. The list of suggested books for reading accompanying each chapter will allow for further exploration of various topics and details.
August 10, 2021
As far as the social aspect of the different parties of the Reformation is concerned, the book is fine. But when dealing with the actual theology it has some major blunders. In discussing imputation, Augustine is said to have formed his view of original sin passed through ordinary generation because he had lingering guilt about his own sexual immorality. Pelagius is thus presented as another equally viable option, this despite the fact that both Rome and Protestants declared Pelagianism heretical. Osiander is called a “Lutheran Reformer”, which is ludicrous. And the author paints the mainline liberal churches as the true Reformed churches with their 20th century ecumenical “agreements” with Rome and Lutherans. In the words of Don Corleone, “That I do not forgive”.
November 12, 2017
Lindberg does an excellent job of retelling the several stories of the Reformers. Yet, Lindberg's narrative is different than the others because he shows the reformers not as each a star of thier own movie, but as different tales that overlap. No man is an island. There is overlap. Martin Bucer for example, heard Luther at the Heidelberg Disputation, oversaw the Marburg Colloquy, and even mentored Calvin. Whereas most Protestant historians only want to show a single side of the Reformation, Lindberg also shows the Catholic reforms.
November 5, 2022
Çok değerli bir eser! İnkilap yayınlarına çok teşekkür ediyorum. Lakin bir dahaki sefere Hristiyan terminoloji içeren kitaplar tercüme ederken (veya ettirirken) lütfen son okuma yapması için kitabı Hristiyan birine vermeniz, naçizane önerimdir. Zira terminoloji, biraz karışmış ve anlamsız bir hal almış gibi duruyor.
July 20, 2024
“The Reformation is to be understood for its own sake and not (mis-)used for contemporary historical and religious speculation.” pp. 377-78
*(Mis-)uses the Reformation for contemporary historical and religious speculation*
Sloppy organization; a chronological dumpster fire. Too-frequent interjection for mundane evaluation.
Printed on high quality paper.
*(Mis-)uses the Reformation for contemporary historical and religious speculation*
Sloppy organization; a chronological dumpster fire. Too-frequent interjection for mundane evaluation.
Printed on high quality paper.
March 10, 2024
Great and comprehensive overview. However it was a bit repetitive in certain sections. Provides a good survey of scholarly research in the various reformations that took place. Informs the reader on how research has evolved over time in the field of the reformations.
September 15, 2017
On the whole, illuminating.
October 15, 2017
The most interesting and even left me gasping was the section on The Reformations in England and Scotland. All in all it was a bloody brutal time....
January 23, 2018
Great resource on the reformations.
July 19, 2019
This was used as a textbook for my theological degree and is a pretty comprehensive and wide-ranging overview of the 16th century Reformation as it affected the various parts of Europe.
August 24, 2019
I read this for a Christian History course in seminary. While the information seemed well organized and adequately covered the material, the book felt dry. It was a challenge to slog through.
November 14, 2020
Read selected pieces for class on history and theology of the Reformation
March 14, 2022
I’ve read a few of these chapters for study and teaching, notably chapters 8 & 10 for Geneva and the Radical Reformation
November 13, 2023
So much reformation knowledge in here!!
January 31, 2024
ótimo livro, muitas referências e edição muito bonita!
Usado em seminários e faculdades, esse é o livro para ter quando o assunto é história da reforma!
Usado em seminários e faculdades, esse é o livro para ter quando o assunto é história da reforma!
January 14, 2025
Great introduction to the Reformation. Balanced on the whole and enjoyable.
December 11, 2025
A decent book, but dense.
July 15, 2017
I delight in the readability of this--history books often get caught up in themselves and forget they're telling a story. Lindberg manages to avoid that trap, although I admit I dislike that he does so by sacrificing the breadcrumbs of scholarship. Very few things are noted source-wise, and I would have liked a better map of how he drew the conclusions he did to craft the story he has, especially since he has a lot of authorial interjections and opinions within the text itself.
In an effort to stay abreast of changing understandings of the time period, Lindberg does try to get at the many pieces of the 17th century religious upheavals--hence "reformations" rather than "reformation" singular. I loved the inclusion of the more fringe elements and the space for eastern European ideology. It is still decidedly European, so don't get too excited about the breadth, but it's way more than the usual England-and-Germany fare. Also, Lindberg recognizes and goes into all the influences before Luther; as a medievalist, I'm delighted in the emphasis on the fact that no idea comes out of nowhere.
As a historian, I'll be hanging on to this because it's very thorough. As a reader, I'll be hanging on to this because it's very approachable. It is indeed a historical textbook, so be aware of that, but I'd recommend this to any interested in a deep dive into the Reformation(s).
In an effort to stay abreast of changing understandings of the time period, Lindberg does try to get at the many pieces of the 17th century religious upheavals--hence "reformations" rather than "reformation" singular. I loved the inclusion of the more fringe elements and the space for eastern European ideology. It is still decidedly European, so don't get too excited about the breadth, but it's way more than the usual England-and-Germany fare. Also, Lindberg recognizes and goes into all the influences before Luther; as a medievalist, I'm delighted in the emphasis on the fact that no idea comes out of nowhere.
As a historian, I'll be hanging on to this because it's very thorough. As a reader, I'll be hanging on to this because it's very approachable. It is indeed a historical textbook, so be aware of that, but I'd recommend this to any interested in a deep dive into the Reformation(s).
March 22, 2016
I read all but four unassigned chapters of this book for a class on the history of Christianity. I found Lindberg's explanations helpful, but sometimes a bit dry. Overall, however, this is a great summary of the various Reformation movements in Europe, during a historical time period that defies easy categorizations and generalizations. A beneficial textbook for an understanding of the "Reformations." Lindberg emphasizes the importance of theology as a motivating force for reform, which many other historians do not, but he does not underestimate the importance of other social and political factors either.
September 12, 2012
Very good overview of the Reformation(s). It does an especially nice job of covering the theological background and complexities of the debates (with especially good coverage of the Eucharist and baptism) and addresses movements of reform in Germany, Netherlands, France, England, and Scotland. Lindberg provides a nice balance, giving all the players a fair and compassionate assessment.
Given the structure, the timeline can be a bit difficult to keep track of - it's not a narrative account. But that's only a small criticism, and overall this is a very good introduction to the topic.
Given the structure, the timeline can be a bit difficult to keep track of - it's not a narrative account. But that's only a small criticism, and overall this is a very good introduction to the topic.
January 15, 2015
This book provides a solid introductory history to the Reformations in Europe and offers readers insight into the differences between the Reformation movements among Lutheran, Catholic, and Reformed Christians. While now a bit dated, the bulk of the information is still valid and the writing is very accessible and easy-to-follow with enough anecdotal stories to keep things interesting. I recommend this book for people who have a basic interest in the Reformation and want to learn more.
May 5, 2012
A good book, perhaps somewhat difficult for the undergraduate. I think one does better having learned traditional approaches to the Reformation, in order to appreciate how Lindberg consciously diverges from that interpretation. The use of the plural in the title is key.
June 10, 2016
I read this book as a part of a Church History class that dealt with the Reformation. While the information is well-researched, interesting, and relevant, the book reads like a textbook, making it a little bit dry to get through at times.
March 13, 2008
Balance, insightful, comprehensive. Good introductory text to the reformation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews