The Reformation: Roots and Ramifications

by Heiko A. Oberman

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 1994

Overview

In this wide-ranging volume, Heiko A. Oberman traces threads of continuity flowing to and from the Reformation. Many of his most important studies appear here in English for the first time. Professor Oberman explores “experiential” mysticism; the tradition of humility; the “battle on two fronts” waged by the Wittenburg circle against Pierias and Eck; Luther’s medieval and apocalyptical conception of reformatio and its purpose; the pre-history of “confessionalization” in the Confession of Augsburg and its “Confutation” by Luther’s Roman opponents; Zwingli’s plans for a Godly alliance in the southern Germanic ecumene and the destructive tensions between Zwingli and Luther. In the final chapter he describes a model of three long-term “Reformations” that can also be seen as revolutions; the Conciliar Reformation, the City reformation and the Calvinist Reformation of the Refugees. The often denied and generally misunderstood “continuities” between theological directions of the later Middle Ages, the theological reformation of the early sixteenth century and subsequent developments are constantly illuminated through exacting detail and compelling insights.

Contents

Top Highlights

“In this respect, Zwingli’s Reformation had world-wide consequences. Zwingli’s death and the catastrophe of Kappel allowed the urban Reformation to expand the evangelical legacy beyond the walls of cities and thereby to move across Europe.” (Pages 198–199)

“Zwingli listened to Scripture in a new way, with a sharpened sense of social justice that made the Reformation modern. Luther also listened to Scripture in a new way, but experienced the Reformation eschatologically. His belief in the Devil made him look medieval from the perspective of the Enlightenment, which then set very narrow boundaries to his sphere of influence.” (Page 199)

“Kappel is the fate of all sects and zealots, ‘the terrifying judgement of God, where Zwingli met such a wretched death’.²² Is this merely Saxon self-righteousness, Luther’s stiff-necked certainty that he was right, expressed in terms just as strong and as dogged as ever, thirteen years after Zwingli’s death?” (Page 195)

“He calls the Devil not only Doctor Comforter, but also Magister conscientiae, the past master of religious conscience” (Page 65)

“The Devil is the very spirit of misery. He is the origin of depression and the ‘sickness unto death’” (Page 69)

Product Details

• Title: The Reformation: Roots and Ramifications
• Author: Heiko A. Oberman
• Publisher: Continuum International Publishing
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 256

About Heiko A. Oberman

Heiko A. Oberman formerly of Harvard University and the University of Tübingen, is now Regents Professor of History and Director of the Division for Late Medieval and Reformation Studies at the University of Arizona.