Sisters in Arms: Courageous Women of the Reformation

by Sukeshinie Goonatilleke, Adam Ramdin (Foreword)

The Reformation was led by men like Luther, Calvin and Zwingli who revolutionised their world and ours. But there were also many remarkable women who defied social biases and traditions with a dauntless commitment to God’s Word. These are the true stories of eight of these follow Katharina von Bora as she escapes from a convent to start a revolutionary new life; flee Paris with Charlotte Duplessis de Mornay, who wrote an eyewitness account of the gruesome St Bartholomew’s Day massacre; and learn about the new faith with Queen Katherine Parr, the only one of Henry VIII’s wives to survive him. These women were heads of state, writers, activists, poets and scholars but they were also very human, with their own loves, fears, heartbreaks and temptations. When we are called to stand for our faith, we can be inspired by their legacy. “For all who see themselves as children of the Reformation, it is vital to learn about the women who helped lead this movement. As I read these action-packed stories, these Protestant women emerged with deep historical detail as fully human, with emotions and flaws just like me. What an inspiration!”—Dr Lisa Clark Diller, Professor of History, Southern Adventist University Sukeshinie Goonatilleke loves a good story and has been telling them as far back as she can remember. Her first article was published in Insight magazine in 1998 and she regularly contributed articles to the magazine for many years after. She spent a number of years directing and producing children’s and youth theatre and worked as a drama teacher in her native country of Sri Lanka. She and her husband moved to Australia in 2006. She currently writes and curates web content for Lineage Journey and is a freelance script writer for The Incredible Journey, which are both Christian media ministries. When she isn’t researching or writing, Sukeshinie is homeschooling her children or curled up in a corner with a good book. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Melbourne, Australia.

Genres: History

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2020

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly wonderful. Goonatilleke has written a truly magnificent book about ladies in the Reformation. Usually we think of men like Martin Luther and others leading the new thinking based on the actual Bible. Rather than how we worship God based on the Roman Catholic way: determined by the Pope and his ways. These ladies exhibited extraordinary faith. And in the face of constant threat. E.g one lady spent 38 years in a tower. Here the hole in the floor for sewage overflowed in a rain. The floor then being to ankle deep!! Staggering.
The other ladies showed similar courage to stay committed to the Jesus Christ of the Bible.

[Edissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book! These women’s stories are inspiring, painful, hopeful, and above all, encouraging us today, to keep our legacy, and stand firm in the truth. There truly is something powerful about telling true stories and these ones really touched my heart. Picked up this book at a much needed time to remind me to take courage and stay with Jesus. If i could give it 6 stars, I totally would!!

[Sandra Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courage despite personal fears

The strength of these women in this book is inspiring. Their fortitude is not without doubt, fear or anxiety. It is courage when you have to go beyond your own feelings or fears to stand up for your true beliefs.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate the fact that someone has decided to write about notable women of the reformation. Too often, they have gotten ignored. This book does a brief story on numerous women that played significant roles in the progress of God's work. While it appears to be relatively well researched, I did find that the author tended to throw in a little too much romantic novel type narrative, which I found more annoying than uplifting. The other thing I would recommend is to not read all of the stories in a very short period of time. I found it rather overwhelming to read all of the hardships that these women endured in a couple of days. Take your time.

[Marianela · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Qué libro tan impresionante! Ocho relatos, ocho heroínas de la reforma. Cuánta fe, cuánta valentía nos enseñan y transmiten estas mujeres.
Cuando lo más fácil era bajar la cabeza y someterse al catolicismo, estas mujeres se mantienen fiel a su fe, a su conciencia. Y Dios está allí, siempre a su lado.

[Telma Dumitru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

This is a well written, captivating book with stories that will make you cry and laugh but most importantly they will make you ponder on your own journey of faith and relationship with God.

[Abita · Rating 4 out of 5]

- El libro relata de forma novelística la historia de ocho mujeres que no temieron de arriesgar su vida por su fe, en el contexto de la reforma protestante. Sus historias son una fuente de inspiración y un recuerdo de que Dios nunca nos desampara.

[Krist Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter really brought the characters and their stories to life. Brilliant execution for making the stories of these women so relevant for us to take lessons from their courage and faithfulness even today.

[Jennifer Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it.

[Peta Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it especially the stories of the French Huguenots who are my people

[Margaret Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspirational read

An engaging read that inspires faith and commitment
I could have kept reading
Real lives of the past can impact today
Thank you

[Karen Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, bringing the struggles of these women to life. Very inspiring 🌟

[Wayfaring Stranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational book!

[Joneide E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so impressed with the courage of these women! Very impacted. What an inspirational book!