Annotated Bibliography- Protestant Reformation
Luther, Martin, Author. Ninety-Five Theses. Nuremberg: Hieronymus Höltzel, 1517. Image. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667736/>.
Martin Luther’s “Ninety-Five Theses” is a foundational document of the Protestant Reformation. Nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, these theses outlined Luther’s grievances against the Catholic Church, particularly regarding the sale of indulgences. Martin Luther’s “Ninety-Five Theses” marks a pivotal moment in the Protestant Reformation, questioning the authority of the pope and challenging the sale of indulgences. Luther scrutinizes the pope’s ability to remit guilt and grant forgiveness of sins, asserting that such power ultimately rests with God alone. He rejects the notion that salvation can be bought through indulgences, emphasizing the primacy of repentance and God’s mercy. The document sparked widespread debate and led to the dissemination of Luther’s ideas across Europe, contributing significantly to the spread of Protestantism. Luther’s theses laid the groundwork for the emergence of Protestant theology, highlighting the tension between ecclesiastical authority and individual conscience in the early 16th century.
Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536 Edition. Wm. B. Eerdmans-Lightning Source, 1995.
John Calvin’s “Institutes of the Christian Religion” stands as a monumental work of Reformed theology and a cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation. Initially published in Latin in 1536 and later expanded in subsequent editions, the Institutes offers a methodical elucidation of Protestant doctrine, grounded in Calvin’s interpretation of Scripture and theological insights. Calvin articulates key principles of Reformation theology, including the sovereignty of God, predestination, the authority of Scripture, and the depravity of humanity. His emphasis on the absolute sovereignty of God and the primacy of divine grace challenged prevailing Catholic teachings on salvation and the role of the Church. The Institutes provided a comprehensive theological framework for the burgeoning Protestant movement, influencing theologians, pastors, and laypeople across Europe. Calvin’s ideas found fertile ground in Geneva, where he established a theocratic regime based on his theological principles, exemplifying the practical application of his Reformed theology. Through his writings and pastoral leadership, Calvin played a pivotal role in shaping Protestant theology and the trajectory of the Reformation, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape Christian thought and practice to this day.
MacCulloch, Diarmaid. The Reformation: A History. Penguin Books, 2005.
Diarmaid MacCulloch’s comprehensive history of the Reformation provides a thorough examination of the movement’s origins, development, and impact. Drawing on a wide range of primary sources and scholarship, MacCulloch offers insights into the social, political, and religious factors that fueled the Reformation. His work is essential reading for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in European history.
Oberman, Heiko Augustinus, and Eileen Walliser-Schwarzbart. Luther: Man between God and the Devil. Yale University Press, 2006.
Heiko Oberman’s biography of Martin Luther offers a nuanced portrait of the reformer, exploring his theological insights, personal struggles, and historical context. Oberman situates Luther within the intellectual and religious currents of his time, highlighting his contributions to the Protestant movement while also examining his complex relationship with the Catholic Church. This scholarly work sheds light on Luther’s enduring legacy and the complexities of the Reformation era.
ERASMUS, DESIDERIUS, et al. The Praise of Folly. Yale University Press, 2003. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1dszvqt..
While not directly part of the Protestant Reformation, Erasmus’s The Praise of Folly had a profound influence on the intellectual climate of the period. This satirical work critiqued the corruption and hypocrisy within the Catholic Church, laying the groundwork for later reform movements. Erasmus’s critique of religious institutions and emphasis on inner piety resonated with Protestant reformers, making The Praise of Folly an important precursor to the Reformation.
Dixon, C. Scott. “Martin Luther and the Reformation in Historical Thought, 1517–2017.” Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, vol. 106, no. 424, 2017, pp. 404–16. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/90015885.
- Scott Dixon’s study offers a fresh perspective on the Reformation by focusing on its impact on ordinary people. Drawing on a wide array of primary sources, including diaries, letters, and sermons, Dixon explores how the Reformation transformed the religious beliefs, practices, and identities of individuals across Europe. By centering the experiences of ordinary Christians, Dixon provides valuable insights into the lived reality of the Reformation and its lasting effects on society.
Zwingli, Huldrych. Commentary on True and False Religion. 1525.
Huldrych Zwingli’s Commentary on True and False Religion articulates his theological vision and his critique of Catholic doctrines and practices. One of the central themes of Zwingli’s commentary is his critique of Catholic doctrines and practices, particularly those related to the sacraments and ecclesiastical authority. Like other Protestant reformers, Zwingli challenged the traditional Catholic understanding of sacraments such as baptism and the Eucharist, advocating for a more symbolic interpretation rooted in Scripture. His rejection of the Catholic sacramental system was grounded in his commitment to sola scriptura, the belief that Scripture alone should be the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.
Additionally, Zwingli’s commentary reflects his broader theological vision, which emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the primacy of divine grace in salvation. He rejected the notion of human merit and emphasized the need for personal faith and repentance as the basis for salvation. While distinct from Martin Luther or John Calvin, Zwingli’s theology played a significant role in shaping the development of Reformed theology in Switzerland and beyond.
Christianson, Gerald. “the reformation: A narrative history related by contemporary observers and participants. Hans J. Hillerbrand.” The Journal of Religion, vol. 45, no. 4, Oct. 1965, pp. 349–350, https://doi.org/10.1086/485828.
Hans J. Hillerbrand’s narrative history of the Reformation provides a compelling overview of the movement, drawing on a wealth of contemporary sources to offer multiple perspectives on key events and figures. Through the incorporation of diverse voices and viewpoints, he captures the diversity of experiences and interpretations within the Reformation movement, highlighting the tensions between religious, political, and social forces that shaped its course. One of the strengths of Hillerbrand’s narrative is its attention to the lived experiences of ordinary people, including peasants, artisans, women, and minorities, whose lives were profoundly affected by the Reformation. Through their stories, Hillerbrand illuminates the social and cultural transformations brought about by religious change and the human costs of religious conflict and persecution.
Furthermore, Hillerbrand situates the Reformation within its broader historical context, exploring its connections to Renaissance humanism, political upheaval, economic changes, and intellectual developments. He traces the spread of Protestant ideas across Europe, from Martin Luther’s initial challenge to the Catholic Church in Germany to the establishment of various Protestant traditions in Switzerland, England, Scotland, and beyond.
In addition to its narrative richness, Hillerbrand’s work is characterized by its scholarly rigor and attention to detail. Drawing on the latest research and historiography, he provides readers with a nuanced and comprehensive overview of the Reformation, addressing key debates, controversies, and interpretations surrounding this complex historical phenomenon.
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Question 
For this writing lab, you will be fine-tuning the skill of composing a bibliography. Composing a bibliography is the first step in the research writing process. To write on a topic, you must spend a significant time as a researcher. While in research mode, you will hunt down sources, particularly scholarly sources. Scholarly sources can be either primary or secondary but rarely tertiary. If you are unfamiliar with the difference, please revisit the “Becoming the Historian” Module.
Annotated Bibliography- Protestant Reformation
For this assignment, you are composing an annotated bibliography. An annotated bibliography is a type of bibliography that consists of two parts: The citation of the source and an annotation of the source. The annotation can be a summary of the source, it can also speak to the significance of the source to your research.