The Protestant Reformation

The Documentary History of Western Civilization

by Hans J. Hillerbrand (Editor)

Originally published more than forty years ago, this important collection brings together the works and writings of the revolutionary minds behind the Protestant Reformation. It remains a major resource for teachers, students and history buffs alike. Over the decades, however, modern scholarship has shed new light on this tumultuous period, raising probing questions and providing new connections that have radically changed our understanding and outlook. With this newly revised and updated edition of this essential work--now including texts written by women as well as entries dealing with popular religion--modern viewpoints are cogently addressed, while the scholarly integrity that has made this book a revered classic has been scrupulously maintained. Throughout, Hans J. Hillerbrand's basic assumption remains consistent: religion, no matter how dependent on societal forces, must be seen as the pivotal element in the story of the sixteenth century.

Genres: History, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Church History, Philosophy

290 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1968

About the author

Hans Hillerbrand is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Duke University. He earned his doctorate from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany) in 1957

Reviews

[Valerie Cotnoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This was required school reading*

This book is a compilation of significant historical texts throughout the Reformation period. I felt the texts were well chosen and edited. It's not easy reading works of the past, even if they're translated into English, but I could tell the editors had striven to make the works as accessible as possible. I really enjoyed the texts by Luther and Calvin, especially, though perhaps that is simply because I knew a lot about them already. I was honestly surprised how easy Luther was to understand and I loved feeling his passion pulsing behind the words.

[William West]

There are more correlations between the histories of Christian and Marxist discourse than subscribers to either would want to admit. As an (I like to think) unconventional adherent of the latter, I must say that reading these selections of writings from the Protestant Reformation made me think of the turbulence in the Marxist world created by Maoism.

Mao was not the first commie revolutionary to break with the Soviet monolith. Tito did his thing in Yugoslavia and the Trotskyist movement made noise here and there. But Mao was the first to give rebellion from within the Communist sphere global-historical significance. Christianity was never as united as the Popes tried to present it as being, but Orthodoxy never presented itself as an insurrection against Catholicism, as much as an alternative that distance in the medieval world necessitated. The movement that Luther began was almost trying to found a new religion to destroy the old.

Reading the pieces by Luther collected in this volume, one has a sense of an individual who had lost control of the phenomenon he inspired. I had a terribly unfavorable impression of him. He seemed to want a radical break with the Church in so far as doing so granted him fame and significance. But as soon as that radicality showed the potential to win people freedoms, or put himself at risk, he disowned it.

It is unsurprising, then, that so many micro-reformations took place, rejecting both the Church and Luther, and proclaiming themselves the one truly liberational tendency. One doubts as much blood was spilled between communist tendencies even in the context of twentieth century murderous efficiency than was spilled not merely between Protestants and Catholics but between warring Protestant sects in the 16th century. One of this volume's most memorable passages is a letter sent by an Annapatist mother to her infant child before her execution by fellow Protestants for deciding to be rebaptized as an adult. Although she agonizes over the thought of not seeing her baby grow up, she assures her child that she is happy to die for worshipping in the one true way.

One wonders if Mao did not study the history of the Reformation, and its sectarian brutality. For it was such violence that he intentionally set forth within the revolutionary process that he initiated, hoping that the most radical tendency would win out, thereby making the very Catholic-esque Soviet Monotholism that had taken root in earlier Communist societies impossible in his own.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fairly standard collection of documents, with brief and pedestrian introductions. The selection of documents for the English Reformation is odd and somewhat less than representative of the event. What, for example, is the point of including, in this collection at least, a selection from the Tyndale Bible? No insight into the Reformation is gained by reading it, unless collated with a Catholic version. And contrary to Hillerbrand's assertion, the Tyndale Bible of 1525 DID NOT serve as the foundation of the King James translation; that was was the Bishops' Bible of 1568. Also, Part V, entitled 'Towards a New Age', consists of a single document.

I wouldn't spend the money to purchase this book, as all of these sources may be found elsewhere in the public domain and the accompanying commentaries hardly merit attention.

[Shelby Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wets your appetite for more. I especially enjoyed Calvin's Institutes but was dissapointed that they had only two excerpts form it. I enjoyed reading the examination of Anne Askew, having read a historical novel about her that had word for word her examination. Luther was good.
you could probably find all these documents on the internet but I can't read good on the computer. I wish that the book gave the full documents.

[Madeleine]

Chap7 Martin Luther: The Freedom of a Christian [1520]
- “On the basis of righteousness of faith, the cornerstone of his new gospel, Luther repudiated the rigidity of Catholic morality...repudiated the Aristotelian notion that good works make a good man and insisted a good man does good works, and does so freely and without legal regimentation. Luther’s tract aimed to show how a vibrant and dynamic faith makes this possible. A slightly condensed version of the entire tract is below: ... It is impossible to write well about it or to understand what has been written about it unless one has at one time or another experienced the courage which faith gives a man when trials oppress him. But he who has had even a faint taste of it can never write, speak, meditate, or hear enough concerning it. It is a living ‘spring of water welling up to eternal life’ as Christ calls it in John 4[:14]. ... To make the way smoother for the unlearned—for only them do I serve—I shall set down the following two propositions concerning the freedom and the bondage of the spirit: A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all. ...Love by its very nature is ready to serve and be subject to him who is loved. ... Man has a twofold nature, a spiritual one and a bodily one. ...*It does not help the soul of the body is adorned with sacred robes of priests or dwells in sacred places or is occupied with sacred duties”*** (huge dig at Catholicism) ...”One thing, and only one thing, is necessary for Christian life, righteousness and freedom. That one thing is the most holy word of God, the gospel of Christ .... nor was Christ sent into the world for any other ministry except that of the word. Moreover, the entire spiritual estate—all the apostles, bishops, and priests—has been called and instituted only for the ministry of the word”

53 For a Christian, as a free person, will say,’I will fast, pray, do this and that as men command, not because it is necessary to my righteousness or salvation; but that I may show due respect to the pope, the bishop, the community, a magistrate, or my neighbor, and give them an example. I will do and suffer all things, just as Christ did and suffered far more for me...”

[Jose Diaz-Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hans J. Hillerbrand's The Protestant Reformation is a small treasure trove of primary sources that vividly captures the seismic shifts in Christianity during the 16th century. By compiling key documents from major figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, as well as lesser-known Anabaptists, Hillerbrand provides a solid resource for understanding the diverse movements within the Reformation. While the commentary is minimal, the book’s strength lies in its collection of pivotal texts that might otherwise be hard to find in translation. This volume is especially useful for academic purposes and personal study, as it offers direct access to the foundational documents of this transformative period. Although the material is public domain, the convenience of having these documents compiled with brief introductions makes it a worthwhile addition to any history enthusiast's library. It has been a decent companion to my larger learning on the Reformation period. There are likely more detailed and extensive compilations out there, but this is a convenient one to start with if you can get a copy.

[Piet Aukeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

How it started: This book
Christians lighting each other on fire. Fatalistic doctrines on predestination cause great anxiety and a pursuit of meaning in work. Endless semantic exegesis nitpicking the letter rather than spirit of the laws.

How it’s going: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, by Max Weber
Christian and non-Christian alike trapped in the Iron Cage of Capitalism. Anxious guilt and Imposter Syndrome as our fears of predestination have been secularized but not satisfied our search for meaning. Endless semantic exegesis nitpicking the letter rather than spirit of the laws.

[Matthew Garringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the diversity of voices given in this book. As someone coming from the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition, reading works from Anabaptists was insightful. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to read early Reformation texts.

[T D · Rating 4 out of 5]

If nothing else, a gaudy primer for the realities of religious manipulation. Literally just obsessively, compulsively demanding material death to appease an abstract. Disheartening depiction of dishonoring divinity.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit I didn't read this book from cover to cover and that's because only specific sections were assigned for my Early Modern Europe history class, but I liked what I did read.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of primary sources with some useful introductions. Other reviewers have noted that the material here is all available in the public domain, and that the commentary is slight. True, though there are some documents of Luther's here that I have had trouble finding in translation otherwise. I have used this text multiple times over the past three years, both for study and for personal edification. Great access to these documents, regardless of other avenues for access.

[Chelsey M. Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a set of primary documents put together in order to give a general insight into the thinking of those involved in the Reformation. There are many excerpts from Martin Luther and John Calvin, along with a few others. This is my area of study so of course I loved it and found it fascinating. But if this is not your are, it will probably be boring.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contains some deep stuff, but it was incredibly helpful in coming to an understanding of why the reformation occurred and on what principles it was founded. Martin Luther shines in this text and made me understand why he caused such a (much needed) stir in the Catholic church.

[Martha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

History/Religion. This book is the authoritative guide to the Protestant Reformation. Inside are brilliant primary source documents for the reader to digest and contemplate on their journey to understanding the reformers political, social, and economic motivations.

[яᴏx · Rating 3 out of 5]

An almost random seeming collection of documents/essays. I genuinely thought this was going to be a historical account of what the reformation was. There is relevance to this book though, but WOW… so dry.

[Justin White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good overview of the Reformers.

[Thomas Irby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid collection of Reformation-era literature. The introductions and notes are very helpful... especially for someone who is new to the history and theology of the Reformers.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blessed and published, basically, by the Catholic Church, this analysis of the Church's spiritual and administrative weaknesses is surprisingly candid.

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of select writings from several reformers from the 16th Century. Not very explanatory or far reaching of a novel.

[Lisa Reising · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primary source documents are fascinating to read. Much different to read Luther and Zwick's (and others) own writing than to read commentaries on their views.

[Juli · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to rate a collection of historical writings. A good resource book.

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent compilation of essential primary sources