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The Women of the Reformation Series at Heavenly Springs

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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:

Comments

  4. 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

      • 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  10. 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

    • 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

  13. 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

  15. 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

    • 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

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