DE 5570  Reformation Church History

Lecturer: William Godfrey

Course Description

This course traces the historic development of the Protestant Reformation from its background prior to the 16th century to its impact on the world and church of today. The lives and teachings of the leading Reformers (Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Knox) are examined in some detail, along with the course of the Reformation in various nations: Germany, England, Scotland, France and the Netherlands. In addition, both the rise of the major Protestant Movements--Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anabaptism and Puritanism--and the Roman Catholic and Remonstrance reactions are outlined. Three hours.

Course Objectives

• To provide an understanding of the origin, history and doctrines of the Protestant Reformation
• To give insight into the state of the western world and church today
• To give an appreciation of the Lord's providential care of His church
• To alert students to some of the dangers that have faced the church in order that the mistakes of the past may not be repeated.

Course Materials

All required course materials can be purchased through the TEDS bookstore (800.456.7323 | 847.317.6800).

Required

• Godfrey, William Robert. Reformation Church History, Audio Lecture Tapes and study Guide. Institute of Theological Studies, a division of OUTREACH, INC., 1989.
• Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. 2 vols. Edited by J. T. McNeill. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960. This work can also be accessed online at http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/institutes/institutes.html or http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/epl-cvinst.html.
• DE 557 Coursepack: "The Remonstrance of 1610," in Peter Y. DeJong, Crisis in the Reformed Churches. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1968. Appendix C, pp. 207-209.
• Luther, Martin. The Bondage of the Will. Translated by J. I. Packer and O. R. Johnston. Greenwood, South Carolina: Attic Press, 1975.
• Schaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church. vol. 6. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1910, 1950. Currently this text can only be purchased with the whole set. The student may access this work online at http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/history/About.htm or inquire into a local library to obtain a copy.
• Spitz, Lewis. The Renaissance and Reformation Movements, vol. 2. St. Louis: Concordia, 1971, rev. 1987.
• In addition, students are required to consult the following confessions. All these may be accessed online. See lessons for websites.
  
  
  • The Augsburg Confession
  • The Decrees of the Council of Trent
  • The Canons of Dort
  • The Westminster Confession of Faith

Resources

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