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You are here: Home / The Women of the Reformation Series at Heavenly Springs

The Women of the Reformation Series at Heavenly Springs

women-of-the-reformation

Most of us are familiar with the great figures of the Protestant Reformation. Names like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli are a few that come to mind.  Yet, the story of the Reformation cannot be told without including the accounts of countless women who, alongside their male counterparts, played a vital role in the early formation of the Protestant Church.

In the spirit of the Reformation, these women defied human tradition to lay hold of eternal life. For most, a stand for the Gospel would cost them all they had. It meant enduring evil and hurtful slander from the religious establishment. Many were suddenly catapulted into a world of isolation and treated harshly by those who thought they were doing God a service. Some were called  to lay down their lives and make the ultimate sacrifice.  Yet, all of these women inherited something better and they stand with the throng of witnesses described in Hebrews 12 as an encouragement for us today.

On October 31st, 2011, Heavenly Springs commenced a series in which several Reformed women passionate about, what Martin Luther called, “the true treasure of the church” — that is, the Gospel, presented brief character sketches of lesser known yet prominent women of the Reformation.

In this presentation we met women like Katie Von Bora, Martin Luther’s wife and ex-nun who pioneered the wilderness of women’s ministry in church and in the home; Lady Jane Grey, one of the most educated women of her day, who was executed for her faith in Christ; Idelette de Bure, wife of John Calvin; Anne Bradstreet, whose poetic gifts continue to strengthen and encourage the Church, and many more.

Join us as we enter into the crossroads of history and meet, and hear the stories of Reformation women who, just like the men, were called for their time and their place.

“The home, cities, economic life, and government would virtually disappear. Men can’t do without women. Even if it were possible for men to beget children and bear children, they still couldn’t do without women.” – Martin Luther

Click on the links below to read the series in it’s entirety:

Introduction 
Katharina Luther
Idelette Calvin
Anna Zwingli
Joan Waste
Ann Bradstreet
Renee de France
Argula von Grumbach and Elizabeth of Braunschweig
Jeanne D’Albret
Katherina Zell
Olympia Morata
Lady Jane Grey
Catherine of Willoughby
Anne Askew
Closing

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Comments

  1. Melissa says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Can’t wait to start this! Please give us your resources as we go.

    Reply
  2. Christina says

    October 4, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Thank you Melissa! We’re all having a good time putting this together. Lord willing, we will have a couple of book giveaway’s, too.

    Reply
  3. Nohemi Lugo says

    October 4, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I am ready!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      October 4, 2011 at 7:13 pm

      So wonderful Nohemi! We are all looking forward to this!

      Reply
  4. jennifer brower says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    I would LOVE to join you gals in this study. After finding Doctrines in the Kitchen….too late, I had hoped there’d be another, and that I could study along with you. Can’t wait…..JBrower

    Reply
    • Christina says

      October 4, 2011 at 10:12 pm

      Jennifer, I am so happy that you will joining us for this series! By God’s grace, I think it’s going to be wonderful!

      Reply
    • jennifer brower says

      October 18, 2011 at 2:49 am

      Hi Christina, What do I need for supplies or materials besides my Bible? Do I need to order a book? Let me know. Looking forward to getting started. Jennifer

      Reply
      • Christina says

        October 18, 2011 at 7:52 am

        Hi Jennifer,

        No purchases necessary on your part. In fact, if anything, we are planning a couple of giveaways.

        The series will start on October 31st with an introduction. Then every day thereafter, for about 2 weeks, a different woman will introduce us to a Protestant female figure who played a significant role in the formation of the early Protestant Church. It is our sincerest desire that these portraits will encourage other Reformed women to not only study church history but also be inspired by the zeal and passion women who wanted nothing but Christ, and Christ alone.

        Please keep this little series in prayer — we truly want it to be a blessing!

        Reply
  5. Teresa says

    October 8, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    I finally got the button and link up on the blog. Sorry it took me so long Christina!

    Reply
  6. Jessica says

    October 11, 2011 at 10:52 am

    I just came across this through another blog – this sounds great.

    Reply
    • Christina says

      October 22, 2011 at 4:18 pm

      Hi Jessica –

      So happy you will be joining us! We pray it will be a blessing!

      Reply
  7. Simonetta says

    October 15, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Very interesting! I won’t be here until November 8, but I will be sure to read this later. I have written a historical novel on Olympia Morata, and I am writing a biography of Renée of France and a children’s biography of Lady Jane Grey. You can see some of my articles here: http://www.reformationitaly.org/2011/01/olympia-morata-champion-of-the-reformation/ and http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=1253&var3=issuedisplay&var4=IssRead&var5=117

    Reply
    • Christina says

      October 18, 2011 at 7:54 am

      How wonderful to meet you!

      What an encouragement it will be to us all to have you participate and give feedback!

      I look forward to reading your articles!

      Reply
  8. jennifer brower says

    October 22, 2011 at 6:29 am

    Thank you for the reply Christina.
    I’ve seen some of Simonettas books. Am hoping to purchase them this coming year for my kids.
    Very busy week this week preparing for our annual Reformation Day Celebration. Must come in authentic attire and come hungry for the Medieval feast(pig on spicket and all). We have live characters come and enact different parts. There’s a burning at the stake. The Tetzel is there always selling pardons(last year some of these pardons ended up in the church’s offering and our council had quite a chuckle over it). This year we are going to give sets of books away for prizes(Christless Christianity by Michael Horton and True to His Ways by Ruth Davis, both fabulous must reads). And of course we always sing hymns. We are excited that more and more people come each year as it’s such a wonderful event in the history of the Church, something to really celebrate and be thankful for.

    Reply
  9. Simonetta says

    October 22, 2011 at 11:42 am

    I would love to be there! Maybe next year…

    Reply
  10. Nancy Klassen says

    October 22, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    Hello there!
    I was raised in the Mennonite Church but now we find ourselves (hubby and I) worshipping with an EPC congregation. I am most interested in this study and wondered how I can join? Is this at a particular time? Is a ‘chat’ involved?

    Thanks…and Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Christina says

      October 22, 2011 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Nancy!

      What a pleasure to meet you! I am so thrilled that you will be joining us for this series. No, I’m afraid it will be far more simple than a formal study or a chat. Essentially, every day, for approximately 2 weeks, you will be introduced to a notable woman of the Reformation by another Reformed woman by way of a blog post. It is our desire to present sketches or pictures of women who were significant in the Reformation. For the most part, the women of the Reformation fall into 1 or 2 categories: a wife of a famous Reformer or a woman of influence or royalty. We also hope to do a couple of giveaway’s! I am delighted that you will join us! And bless God for your journey. He has surely brought you out!

      Love and blessings!

      Reply
  11. Nancy Klassen says

    October 22, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Thanks for the info Christina! Looking forward to it!

    Nancy

    Reply
  12. Meg says

    October 22, 2011 at 10:23 pm

    Really looking forward to this. Cannot wait!

    Reply
  13. jennifer brower says

    October 23, 2011 at 10:41 pm

    Oh I’m new to blogging and probably breaking every rule in etiquette……..please forgive me.
    Simonetta we are in Exeter(near Visalia) and from Visalia URC. It would truly be a privilege and honor to have you as a guest at this celebration. This is a standing invitation. It’s this coming Sat. Oct. 29, 5:30pm, an all-family affair(many children will be present). We have a guest house on our farm that will be open. Feel welcome…….

    Reply
  14. Emily W. says

    November 1, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    I follow Doctrines in the Kitchen of FB and read Becky’s and Petra’s blogs. Looking forward to this series!

    Reply
  15. Martin Lohrmann says

    March 7, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    I have just started a website about how the reformation was a collegial event. It’s entitled, “Bugenhagen & Friends” (www.bugenhagen.weebly.com). Your segment on women during the Reformation is very good and I’ve created a link to this opening page. Please let me know if that’s okay with you. Thanks,
    Martin

    Reply
    • Christina says

      March 7, 2012 at 3:45 pm

      Martin, thank you for your thoughtfulness in asking. Yes, of course. It is more than ok. I briefly looked through your site and it looks as if you are creating a great resource. I look forward to checking it out more throughly later. God bless you.

      Reply
  16. rpcnacovenanter says

    December 21, 2012 at 10:44 pm

    http://pinterest.com/RPCNACovenanter/reformed-pins/

    I am using your blog posts on my pinterest. Thanks.

    I am also going to link this page to the Puritanboard. What a great resource. Be Very Encouraged.
    Randy

    Reply
  17. rpcnacovenanter says

    December 21, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    I posted… Here is the link…. I hope that it is okay that I did this.

    http://www.puritanboard.com/f18/women-reformation-biography-page-77199/#post980606

    Reply
    • simonetta says

      December 21, 2012 at 11:28 pm

      I think Christina is planning to take down her blog (see latest post). Maybe some articles can be saved.

      Reply
      • rpcnacovenanter says

        December 22, 2012 at 12:27 am

        Thanks, I deleted the post on the Puritanboard. Thank You for the heads up.

        Randy

        Reply
      • simonettablog says

        December 23, 2012 at 12:49 am

        I was born in Italy, so it’s an Italian name. 😉 Happy Lord’s Day!

        Reply
    • Simonetta Carr says

      December 22, 2012 at 12:22 pm

      Randy, don’t delete it. There is a new link!

      Reply
      • rpcnacovenanter says

        December 23, 2012 at 12:22 am

        Thanks, I will repost it with this link tomorrow. I have been out of town today. Thank you so much Simonetta. BTW, that is one cool name. I have never heard of any lady named Simonetta. Is there an origin of it? Nationally or even Familial.history would be very interesting to know. Like I said, I have never heard of the name Simonetta and think it is wonderful.

        Reply
  18. Kimberly says

    December 31, 2014 at 8:15 am

    I am truly glad to read this blog posts which contains
    lots of helpful data, thanks for providing such information.

    Reply
  19. healingInHim says

    September 19, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Just discovered this post. Looks wonderful. Thank you for making it available.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. It’s Reformation Sunday! – Heavenly Springs says:
    October 30, 2011 at 7:19 am

    […] Women of the Reformation […]

    Reply
  2. Good Reads from Around the Blogosphere « More Precious Than Gold says:
    January 24, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    […] came across the blog Heavely Springs. So many good things to read. I plan to read through her “Women of the Reformation” series very […]

    Reply
  3. BOOK REVIEW: “Weight of a Flame: The Passion of Olympia Morata” by Simonetta Carr – Heavenly Springs says:
    January 30, 2012 at 5:55 am

    […] Women of the Reformation […]

    Reply
  4. Women of the Reformation « A Daughter of the Reformation says:
    October 31, 2012 at 8:50 am

    […] came across a blog recently that has a whole series of posts on various women of the Reformation. On this Reformation day, I thought I’d share. Some of […]

    Reply
  5. Happy (almost) Reformation Day! says:
    October 30, 2014 at 5:59 am

    […] a vital role in the early formation of the Protestant Church.  In 2012, Heavenly Springs hosted  “Women of the Reformation,” a special series in which 12 women collaborated to present brief biographical sketches of […]

    Reply

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