The “Reformation Wall” is a monument in Switzerland that honors four great men of the Protestant Reformation. These theological giants were called “reformers” because they worked diligently to change and improve the corrupt church of their day.
The four men standing upright upon the wall—from left to right—are William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and John Knox. With the exception of Calvin, Beza was considered the most celebrated theologian among the French Reformed, using the brilliant mind God had given him to spread the gospel throughout Europe.
On the Reformation Wall in Switzerland stands the Scottish Reformer John Knox, with the Genevan trio of William Farel, John Calvin, and Theodore Beza to his right.
Though little is known of his early days, Knox became Scotland’s greatest reformer—known for his bravery and fearlessness. As a fiery prophet of Calvinistic doctrine, the implacable Knox fought hard against the errors of his day and was unafraid to stand alone. He once said: “One man with God is always the majority.”
Not one to mince words, Knox once said that the celebration of the Catholic Mass was worse than drinking a cup of poison. Thus, John Calvin called him “God’s firebrand”, pointing to the indominable courage of this great Scottish reformer.
One would think that the Catholic Church triumphed when it burned the Reformers at the stake. Instead, thousands of people who were once enemies of the gospel turned from their errors and became friends of the cross when they saw the bravery of devoted Christians in the flames.
Rowland Taylor, of the 16th century, lives on as one of the famous Marian martyrs—the name given to the Christians that Queen Mary killed during her bloody five-year reign. Taylor wrote no books, not a single sermon of his remains in print and no large headstone marks his grave.
In some ways, his life has been forgotten. And yet, Taylor’s testimony still stands as a monument of faithfulness today when we consider the endless commitment he showed to his calling, his wife, his children, and his Lord.
John Calvin, the great French reformer, stands as the most significant leader in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. Unlike Luther, Calvin dreaded quarrelling.
Though he was reluctant to speak about his personal life and avoided public attention, his long tenure as pastor in Geneva teaches us how a supposed “chance” event can change history and how humble submission to wise counsellors can lead believers aright.
The first generation of the great Protestant Reformers laid a sturdy foundation upon the Five Solas and helped the Church pull away from the theological abuses of the Roman Catholics. When men like Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli died in the first half of the 16th century, they were followed by the second-generation of Reformers who carried on their work.
With the exception of John Calvin, Heinrich Bullinger may have been the most instrumental of the succeeding generation which sought to exalt Jesus Christ through the faithful preaching of His Word.
The 16th century in church history saw a three-pronged revolt against the heresies of the Roman Catholic Church. In one corner stood the Reformed Reformation, led by John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. Conrad Grebel, Felix Mantz, Balthasar Hubmaier and the Anabaptists were another branch that rebelled against the papacy.
The final group that rose up against the pope were the Lutherans, led by Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. The powerful personality of Luther overshadowed his friend, but Melanchthon was a giant of the faith in his own right, modeling not only careful theological acumen but the warmth of godly admiration and friendship.
The godly virtue of resiliency begins small and grows with time. Boys with just a little strength now may become men of great fortitude tomorrow. Large oaks begin by seed. Floods start with drops. A frog was once a tadpole. A lion was once a cub.
Cowards fear man, not God. They fear offending. They fear the consequences of exposing others’ sins. They worry the truth may bring them unemployment, poverty, imprisonment or even death. Proverbs 29:25 says: “The fear of man lays a snare.” Cowards are trapped. They can’t move. They say, “What will others think?”
Cowards are the sail on a boat. Popular opinion is the wind. They go where the world tells them. Courageous men, on the other hand, do what is right. They are resilient regardless the outcome. When cowards bow, heroes stand. When cowards whisper, heroes proclaim. When cowards run, heroes stand firm. They do not quit. They persevere amidst trials. Why
In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul teaches that despite his afflictions and difficulties, these weaknesses do not disable him. He gives four word pictures to show that his infirmities give him more strength. He’s “afflicted” but “not crushed”; he is “perplexed” but not “driven to despair”; he is “persecuted but not forsaken”; he is “struck down but not destroyed.” The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that will help us survive our trials (v. 7). God makes us weak so he gets all the credit amidst our resiliency, as shall be seen in the life of Hugh Latimer.
While Martin Luther led the Protestant Reformation in Germany, Ulrich Zwingli helped launch the Swiss Reformation in Zurich in the 1520s. As in Germany, the church in Switzerland had become corrupt and desperately needed reformation—a revolt against papal tyranny. Her leaders had become ignorant, superstitious, and corrupt.
By examining the life of Zwingli, we can learn as much from his errors as we can from his accomplishments. The heroes of the faith in Church History blundered just like the champions of the faith in Scripture. Amidst their mistakes came treasure boxes of triumph, including Zwingli’s tug-of-war success and failure at seeking peace with others.
Among the most important dates in church history is October 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This document changed the world forever by opening the common man’s eyes to the falsehoods of the Catholic Church. But another event happened eight years later, lesser known, but just as controversial—the marriage between a monk and a nun.
Thirty-one October, 1517, is the day Martin Luther put hammer to nail and posted his 95 Theses upon the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Reformation Sunday is the day that thousands of churches worldwide celebrate that historic moment.
History of the Reformation
The Catholic Church in Luther’s day had become corrupt, promoting what Scripture rejects and denying what the Bible confirms. Luther was nurtured in the Catholic Church and had given his life to her as a monk. But as Luther dug deeper in the Scriptures—something Catholics were not supposed to do—the Holy Spirit began illuminating the sins of the Vatican.
Luther, as it were, had pulled up the floorboards of the Church, only to find the foundation infested with vermin. Down there were Hymenaeus and Alexander, Diotrephes and Elymas, eating away at the foundation of truth.
