Reform and Conflict

Heinze, Rudolph. Reform and Conflict: from the Medieval World to the Wars of Religion, Ad 1350-1648. The Baker History of the Church, Volume four. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2005.

I own several books on the history of reformation and counter-reformation, but this is sure the most valuable.

As a big exception to books about that period, it is not immediately or very soon obvious which denomination the author belongs to - he keeps the neutral viewpoint of the historian throughout. For once, Luther, Calvin, and Loyola are not described by either a fan or an enemy. Several chapters are opened by two contrasting quotes on the subject, e.g.

The Impact of the Reformation

Can we doubt that there has ever been any age which has seen so many admirable things in so short a time? So many changes in kingdoms, religions and estates? Johann Sleidan

Recent research is leading us to such a different understanding of the Reformation, that many . .. common notions about its impact should be drastically revised. R. W. Scribner

The book offers not only a history of the reformation times, but also a historians evaluation of the literature about these times starting with contemporaries of Luther and Calvin up to the 21th century. There is an extensive collection of primary and secondary works for each chapter.

The book offers the big picture from every angle, including some which are not usually included.

• Women and the Reformation shows the impact of reformation on women and provides three exemplary biografies of Wibrandis Rosenblatt, wife of Oecolampadius, Capito, and Bucer, of Catherine Zell, co-worker in the ministry of her husband and a rare example of tolerance in that times, and Vittoria Colonnas connection to reforming movements in the Catholic church.
  
  
• Theological Conflict, Confessions, and Confessionalization gives an overview not only of the external but also of the internal theological conflicts within the Lutheran, Reformed, and Catholic confessions, which did set off very soon after the confessional split.
  
  
• The Impact of the Reformation includes Art and Music, Literature, Science, Economics and Politics and discusses the question of success or failure of the reformation.

It is not an edifying book glorifying spiritual giants in a spiritual romanticism, but a book about humans with their good and bad points - not closing the eyes on the bad consequences. It definitely debunks any ideas about the Reformers "saving Christianity from Catholicism", showing the drawbacks of the new churches and of the medieval and reformed Catholic Church as well as the negative consequences of the schism for Christianity.

By its impartial assessment of all the parties involved, this book contributes in my eyes to an ecumenical view of Christianity - it leaves in the aftermath of the reformations no confession or denomination which got it 100% right or 100% wrong (or even in a 80/20 split) and it shows very clearly the bad effects of violent denominational strife (physically or mentally) on Christianity as a whole.

I think this book should be read aside with any other account on the reformation to avoid a biased view.