It is rare for history, especially church history, to be appetizing reading for most people. Historians seem to have the uncanny ability to make even the most exciting events in history something much less than enjoyable when reading about them. Stephen J. Nichols, however, has done a great job at reversing this trend with his book on the Protestant Reformation, The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World. Beginning with Martin Luther and working his way through the Reformation, Nichols presents pictures of the reformers that are both accurate and enjoyable with chapter titles that include, Some Middle-Aged Men and a Sausage Supper: Ulrich Zwingli and the Swiss Reformation.
In less thatn 150 pages, Nichols gives an enjoyable introduction to the Reformation that is approachable by all and can be enjoyed by educated and uneducated alike. Interestingly, Nichols uses the last chapter of his book to tell the untold story of women and the reformation. Noteworthy from this section are Lady Jane Grey’s words before her accusers regarding the doctrine of Justification by Faith. Her accuser pressured her to admit that good works were a necessary component of salvation and that belief alone is not sufficient. Lady Jane Grey replied:
I deny that, and affirm that faith only saves; but it is meet for a Christian to do good works, in token that he follows the steps of his Master, Christ, yet may we not say that we profit to our salvation; for when we have done all, we are unprofitable servants, and faith only in Christ’s blood saves us.
Nichols tells us that Jane Grey would die a martyr’s death two days later, at the age of 16, with these last words, “I here die a true Christian woman and I trust to be saved by the blood of Christ, and by none other means.”
Nichols does more than merely recount the events of the reformation, he draws the reader into the reformation, living vicariously through the characters and the events. This is an enjoyable and educational read that I strongly reccommend.
Visit the books website at www.monkandmallet.com
