The Reformers

Few days in history carry as much significance for the church as October 31, 1517. On that day, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. What began as an invitation to academic debate became the spark that ignited the Protestant Reformation, changing the course of Christianity and the world.

When the fires of persecution raged in England under Queen Mary I, a faithful witness emerged who ensured that the stories of the martyrs would never be forgotten. That man was John Foxe, the author of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Through his writing, Foxe gave voice to those who suffered and died for the gospel, preserving their testimonies for future generations. His work became one of the most influential books of the English Reformation.

The Italian Reformation produced more than fiery preachers and courageous martyrs—it also gave the church profound scholars who shaped theology for generations. One of the most significant was Girolamo Zanchi, an Italian humanist-turned-Reformed theologian whose writings systematized the doctrines of grace and God’s sovereignty. Though less famous than Calvin, Zanchi helped give the Reformed tradition its intellectual depth and clarity.

The Reformation is often remembered as a movement of Germany, Switzerland, and England. Yet one of its great theologians came from Italy, the very heart of Roman Catholic power. Peter Martyr Vermigli was a brilliant scholar, preacher, and reformer who brought Reformed theology into dialogue with the Catholic world. His scholarship and faithfulness helped shape the English Reformation and enriched the broader Protestant cause.

The Reformation was not only about bold preachers and brilliant theologians; it also required wise organizers who could shape churches according to Scripture. One of the most important of these was Jan Łaski (also known as John à Lasco), a Polish nobleman turned reformer. Though less well-known than Luther or Calvin, Łaski’s work in structuring churches left a lasting impact on the Reformation across Europe.

While William Tyndale is rightly remembered as the pioneer of English Bible translation, another man ensured that the English people received the first complete printed Bible in their own tongue. That man was Miles Coverdale, a preacher, translator, and faithful servant of Christ. His labor gave the English church a treasure beyond measure—the whole counsel of God in a language they could understand.

Among the Reformers of the sixteenth century, few were as fiery and uncompromising as John Knox, the leader of the Reformation in Scotland. A disciple of John Calvin, Knox brought the truths of the gospel to his homeland with boldness that shook both church and state. His preaching earned him enemies in high places, yet his legacy transformed Scotland and laid the foundation for Presbyterianism worldwide.

When Ulrich Zwingli fell in battle at Kappel in 1531, the future of the Swiss Reformation seemed uncertain. Into this moment stepped Heinrich Bullinger, a young pastor and theologian whose steady leadership preserved and expanded Zwingli’s work. Though less fiery than Zwingli and less renowned than Calvin, Bullinger became one of the most influential Reformers of the sixteenth century, known for his pastoral heart, prolific writing, and commitment to the unity of the church.

When John Calvin died in 1564, many wondered what would become of the Reformation in Geneva. Would the movement falter without its great theologian and pastor? Into this moment stepped Theodore Beza, Calvin’s trusted friend and successor. Beza’s long life and faithful ministry ensured that Calvin’s legacy not only endured but also expanded across Europe.

If Martin Luther lit the fire of the Reformation, John Calvin gave it structure and depth. A French theologian, pastor, and writer, Calvin devoted his life to proclaiming the sovereignty of God, the sufficiency of Scripture, and the supremacy of Christ. His writings and ministry in Geneva made him one of the most influential figures in church history, shaping not only the sixteenth century but also the centuries that followed.

The Reformation spread not only through individuals but also through entire cities that embraced the gospel. One of the most strategic centers of reform was Geneva, Switzerland. Before it became famous as John Calvin’s base, it was first shaken and transformed by the fiery preaching of Guillaume Farel. His mission in Geneva during the 1530s prepared the soil for Calvin’s later ministry and turned the city into a beacon of Protestant faith.

The Reformation spread across Europe through the work of men with very different personalities. Some were scholars, others pastors, and still others evangelists whose bold preaching ignited whole cities. Guillaume Farel, the French reformer of Geneva, belonged to the latter category. Known for his fiery zeal and fearless proclamation, Farel prepared the way for John Calvin and helped establish Geneva as a stronghold of the Reformation.

The Protestant Reformation is often remembered for its bold voices—Luther’s thunder, Zwingli’s fire, Calvin’s clarity. But behind these more famous figures stood quieter servants whose steady work helped anchor the movement. One such man was Johannes Oecolampadius, the reformer of Basel. Known for his humility, scholarship, and devotion to the Word of God, Oecolampadius provided critical leadership in Switzerland during the formative years of reform.

Among the Reformers of the sixteenth century, Martin Bucer is sometimes less well-known than Luther, Zwingli, or Calvin. Yet his ministry in Strasbourg made him one of the most important bridge-builders of the Reformation. A tireless pastor, mediator, and theologian, Bucer worked to bring unity among Protestants and to shape reform in both church and society. His influence reached far beyond his city, leaving a legacy that touched Luther, Calvin, and even the Church of Englan

When people think of the Reformation, Martin Luther usually comes first to mind. Yet at the same time in Switzerland, another man was preaching Christ and calling the church back to Scripture. His name was Ulrich Zwingli, and though less celebrated than Luther or Calvin, he played a vital role in shaping the Reformation. A pastor at heart, Zwingli’s ministry emphasized preaching, purity of worship, and the sufficiency of Christ.

Every movement needs both fire and form. If Martin Luther was the fiery voice of the Reformation, then Philip Melanchthon was its careful teacher and systematizer. Known as the Praeceptor Germaniae—the “Teacher of Germany”—Melanchthon’s scholarship, diplomacy, and steady faith helped shape and preserve the Reformation in ways Luther alone could not.

If there is one name that towers over the history of the Reformation, it is Martin Luther. A German monk turned reformer, Luther’s bold stand for the gospel reshaped the church and the world. By nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, he lit a flame that still burns today.

Few men in history have left a legacy as profound as William Tyndale. More than a scholar or translator, he was a man consumed with a passion to give the English people God’s Word in their own tongue. For this, he lived as a fugitive, endured constant danger, and ultimately gave his life. His translation work shaped not only the English Reformation but also the English language itself.

In the years leading up to the Reformation, God raised up voices across Europe to call His people back to the authority of His Word. In England, one of the most significant was John Colet, a scholar and preacher whose ministry prepared the soil for the gospel’s rediscovery. Though not as radical as Wycliffe or as courageous as Tyndale, Colet urged his nation to return to the Scriptures and live in obedience to Christ.

When we think of the Reformation, we often focus on preachers, theologians, and martyrs. Yet behind the scenes, scholars who preserved and defended the biblical languages played a critical role. Johann Reuchlin, a German humanist and linguist, was one such figure. By championing the study of Hebrew and protecting Jewish writings from destruction, he ensured that future Reformers would have the tools needed to recover the Scriptures in their original form.