David M. Whitford - T&T Clark Companion to Reformation Theology

T&T Clark Companion to Reformation Theology

Titles in this series include

T&T Clark Companion to Methodism, edited by Charles Yrigoyen Jr.

T&T Clark Companion to Nonconformity, edited by Robert Pope

T&T Clark Companion to Augustine and Modern Theology, edited by C.C. Pecknold and Tarmo Toom

To Brad, Greg, Kay, and Ward.

Not all who wander are lost.

Contents

David M. Whitford

Robert Kolb

R. Ward Holder

Carl R. Trueman

ubomr Batka and Anna Marie Johnson

Chad Van Dixhoorn

Carter Lindberg

Bryan Spinks

Paul Avis

Anne T. Thayer

Karen E. Spierling

Karin Maag

Raymond A. Mentzer

Robin B. Barnes

Volker Leppin

Peter Maxwell-Stuart

Geoffrey Dipple

Randall C. Zachman

Haruko Nawata Ward

In 2005, Professors Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom asked whether or not the Reformation could officially be considered over (Is the Reformation Over?: An Evangelical Assessment of Contemporary Roman Catholicism, Baker Publishing). They answered with a somewhat hesitant yes. It was hesitant because they believed that evangelical Protestants and Catholics have found some broad agreement on questions such as the place and primacy of doctrine of Justification within Christian theology, though other issues remain. The reception of Noll and Nystrom has been contested; some Catholics and Protestants have raised concerns and others given praise. One of the unintended consequences of the book was again the reminder that many people today, of all theological stripes, are ignorant of the history of Protestant Reformation and the contours of Reformation-era theology. This book cannot answer Noll and Nystroms question. It can, however, help people better understand what is at stake in the question of whether or not the Reformation is over.

This book is divided into two parts. The first part contains an introductory chapter on ways in which one might use this book as one writes and studies the theology and praxis of the Reformation. This introductory chapter is followed by 18 essays on various theological doctrines, issues, and topics that were contested during the Reformation era. These essays are intended to not only introduce the reader to the main contours of the topic but to also help one dig deeper into the subject matter. Each essay has a bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and the notes for all the essays are compiled at the end of the book. The list of 18 topics is not exhaustive. No single bookeven one as long as this onecould be. However, the topics discussed here are all central to the topic of Reformation theology. This centrality is then augmented in the second part. contains short definitions and explanations of scores of important people, events, and theological topics from the Reformation. These have additional recommendations for study. Thus, this book can serve as both an introduction to the topic of Reformation theology and a road map to further study and inquiry.

The production of any book, and perhaps especially edited volumes, acquires debts of gratitude and often patience. This one is no exception. To Thomas Kraft of T&T Clark, I wish to express my thanks for asking me to tackle this project. I also thank him for his exceptional patience as the project took far longer to bring to fruition than I ever would have believed. His trusted sidekick Anna Turton has been, as always, both supportive and a joy to work with. The contributors to this volume are many of the leaders in the field of Reformation history. Their willingness to share their knowledge and understanding of the sixteenth century embodies the highest calling of our professionthe desire to share and teach. Perhaps the greatest debt goes to my former student, Adam Wirrig. Adam helped me keep this project on track and aided me in ways too numerous to recount here. Finally, this book is dedicated to the group of friends that make wandering through the sixteenth century together a constant joy: Brad, Greg, Kay, and Ward.

David M. Whitford

The European Reformation was primarily a religious event driven by theological concerns. That it also had broad social, cultural, and political implications is not surprising. Because the early-modern world was not yet a secular world, the theological affected the social and political just as much and sometimes more than the narrowly defined ecclesiastical. When a sixteenth-century person confronted an unknown or unexplained event he or she looked first to find Gods hidden hand at work behind the event. Political events were simultaneously understood as religious events. The Fall of Belgrade in 1521 signaled not only a military defeat but was reckoned as a judgment of God. The Bible provided the norm and rule of life. When selecting a topic of study in Reformation theology, one needs to be cognizant of this reality. Attempting to write a paper or thesis on a Reformation theology topic, then, might seem an overwhelming task. It need not be, however. There are a number of steps that one can take to ensure a comprehensiveif not exhaustiveexamination of a topic at hand. The first step is to use this book as a guide. The articles and definitions within this book are designed to give you an overall introduction into the main theological loci (or topics) that were important in Reformation theology. The list is not exhaustive, but it is comprehensive. It covers the most important doctrines and topics. Each chapter, as you have seen, also has a bibliography that gives some of the most important English language works that you will want to look at as you move further into your research. This book is intended to help you delve deeper into the subjects, people, and theological perspectives of the European Reformation. In this opening chapter, I hope to provide you with a basic framework for how to write a semester paper or short thesis paper on a Reformation theology topic. It is my hope that this chapter, the topical chapters that follow it, and the brief dictionary of key terms and persons from the sixteenth century will help you chart a successful course through the study of Reformation theology.

When selecting a topic for your study, the most important thing to do is to find a question or issue that has some natural interest for you. If it interests you and you write persuasively, it will also interest your reader. Interest does not mean, of course, that we set aside the ideal of being impartial when examining and weighing evidence. A paper or essay on a particular theological issue in the Reformation, especially when written in a theological seminary, may end with a judgment about the correctness or suitability of that position but that is the final movement in a paper and can only come after giving each side of a debate a fair and unbiased hearing.

After you have discovered a theological topic that resonates with your interest, the next most practical step is to identify a specific theologian that you want to learn more about. Many of the leading theologians of the sixteenth century have excellent introductions to their lives and theological positions. These introductions will enable you to quickly identify the key primary texts written by the theologian of your choice on issues you have selected as well as help you identify other major themes explored by that theologian. For a quick-reference guide that will enable you to grasp the overarching themes of many theologians and traditions, Carter Lindbergs