Luther stood not on the pronouncements of popes, or the decisions of councils, or the winds of popular opinion, but on “that word above all earthly powers.”

Luther stood not on the pronouncements of popes, or the decisions of councils, or the winds of popular opinion, but on “that word above all earthly powers.”

Katharina married Martin Luther to survive as a runaway nun, but their marriage proved to be a model in a time when “pastor’s wife” was a new role.

Katharina married Martin Luther to survive as a runaway nun, but their marriage proved to be a model in a time when “pastor’s wife” was a new role.

The Reformation required more than theological giants. It also demanded organizational geniuses.

He took the lead role in writing the Heidelberg Catechism, one of the most ringing affirmations of faith in all of Christian history.

Theodore Beza gave form to what we now call Calvinism by explaining and defending the biblical doctrines Calvin had rediscovered.

Lady Jane Grey was a teenage victim of social and political conspiracy, beheaded at seventeen for her faith. But her life is far from a tragedy.

Lady Jane Grey was a teenage victim of social and political conspiracy, beheaded at seventeen for her faith. But her life is far from a tragedy.

Pierre Viret knew how to contend for the truth of God’s word with theological rigor and courage. He also knew how to do it with a smile.

Pierre Viret knew how to contend for the truth of God’s word with theological rigor and courage. He also knew how to do it with a smile.

Robert Estienne was the premier printer of the Protestant cause. He put Reformation doctrine and the Bible itself into the hands of ordinary people.

Robert Estienne was the premier printer of the Protestant cause. He put Reformation doctrine and the Bible itself into the hands of ordinary people.

The key to John Calvin’s life: he recovered and embodied a passion for the absolute reality and majesty of God.

John Knox feared the face of no man, which equipped him to bring reform to his homeland in the Highlands.

Conrad Grebel is known as a “radical Reformer” — a leader who took the movement one step further by insisting on separating church from state.

Without Zwingli there would have been no Reformation in Zurich. Without Heinrich Bullinger it would not have lasted.

Hellen Stirke did not debate theology, write a treatise, or preach to hundreds. She just staked her soul on Scripture — and paid for it with her life.

Hellen Stirke did not debate theology, write a treatise, or preach to hundreds. She just staked her soul on Scripture — and paid for it with her life.

He never preached a sermon and never authored a theological treatise. He was a Reformer by accident — or, better, by common grace.

Ulrich Zwingli brought the people of Zurich away from pomp, hypocrisy, and idolatry and back to the Bible, the gospel, and Jesus Christ.

One Lord, one faith, one stake. The story of two great Reformers burned at the same stake.

Guillaume Farel had faults — and they were real and known — but this French firebrand loved the gospel and devoted his life to sharing its riches.

Thomas Cranmer led England from Roman Catholicism, and shaped England’s theology perhaps more than any other Reformer.

When Johannes Oecolampadius returned to Basel in 1522, the people sung Latin in Mass. Ten years later, the Mass was gone and the songs were German.