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A review by ben_smitty
Theology of the Reformers by Timothy George
5.0
Timothy George's Theology of the Reformers is an accessible but scholarly sketch of the lives and theology of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and Menno. Although each chapter contains around 150 or so footnotes, George's storytelling contextualizes the four reformers in a way that's both entertaining and helpful.
Reading this also helped me locate my own faith. I originally decided to read the reformers because I wasn't sure if I could still call myself Protestant. Some of the surprises along the way include Luther's staunch position on double-predestination (more so than Calvin's position!), Calvin's depth, timidity, and gentleness, and the fragmented state of Medieval Catholicism before the Reformation. I mean, it was such a wreck that laypeople couldn't even partake in the Eucharist. Seen against this backdrop, the Reformation becomes a necessity.
So overall, the book deepened my appreciation for the Reformers. I was struck by George's insight that the Reformation extended the scholastic obsession with God's being into the realm of God's work. The Reformers didn't fundamentally misunderstand the purpose of church authority and tradition, as I previously believed. Rather, George argues, Soteriology is merely the application of God's ontology. Thanks to the Reformers, we can now agree that when the Holy Spirit invades the Christian's heart, his experience of life should never be the same.
Reading this also helped me locate my own faith. I originally decided to read the reformers because I wasn't sure if I could still call myself Protestant. Some of the surprises along the way include Luther's staunch position on double-predestination (more so than Calvin's position!), Calvin's depth, timidity, and gentleness, and the fragmented state of Medieval Catholicism before the Reformation. I mean, it was such a wreck that laypeople couldn't even partake in the Eucharist. Seen against this backdrop, the Reformation becomes a necessity.
So overall, the book deepened my appreciation for the Reformers. I was struck by George's insight that the Reformation extended the scholastic obsession with God's being into the realm of God's work. The Reformers didn't fundamentally misunderstand the purpose of church authority and tradition, as I previously believed. Rather, George argues, Soteriology is merely the application of God's ontology. Thanks to the Reformers, we can now agree that when the Holy Spirit invades the Christian's heart, his experience of life should never be the same.