Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

Scotland was a land of religious conflict and tension long before the sixteenth century reformation and the arrival of such thunderbolts as George Wishart and John Knox. As early as the late 14th and early 15th centuries, Scotland experienced heavy influence from the Lollards—followers of John Wycliffe—who questioned the authority of the Pope, the wealth of the Church, and promoted the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. But in the sixteenth century, the unashamedly, uncompromising Wishart served as a galvanising factor that would first awaken and then forcibly inspire a young Knox.

Known to many historians as the “Thundering Scot”, a man of whom Mary Queen of Scots once conceded she feared his prayers more than any army; John Knox became the single most influential voice of reformation in the mid sixteenth century. This week the Curious team unpack the life, thinking and impact of John Knox. His early role as priest and notary, to the heights of becoming royal chaplain to King Edward VI of England. Knox kindled a fire in Scotland that would not only transform Scottish religion and politics, but reshape its national identity.

In this eighth episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team take a walk in the footsteps of Knox. Form his early years in Haddington East Lothian, to his transformation alongside Wishart, to his time as a French galley slave, to national notoriety; this weeks episode will take a Scottish journey in discovery of the enigma that was John Knox!

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
John Knox - ReformationHistory.org

John Knox - UndiscoveredScotland.co.uk

John Knox and the Scottish Reformation - ChristianHistoryInstitute.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation
Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)
Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther
Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther
Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame
Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation
Bruce Gordon — Calvin
Jane Dawson — John Knox

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

Accounts of the reformation are often wonderful, even glamorous, courageous and adventurous but predominantly centred around the rise and development of Protestantism. But what did that mean for the then established Roman Catholic Church? How did the Pope react to the burgeoning influence of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and others? What measures did they take, what decisions did they come to that would ensure not only their survival, but their continued development and expansion?

This week the Curious team explore how the Pope and the church of Rome bit back and counteracted the Protestant tidal wave of advancement. They’ll be exploring why the Council of Trent became so important, and in what eat it became a major reformer of the Catholic Church. What role Ignatius of Loyola played, and how influential his newborn order of Jesuits were.

In this seventh episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team explore the reordering of the Church of Rome, and how it equipped itself to confront and counter the propelling force of Protestantism.

Join the Curious Team this week in what promises to be a very intriguing episode

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…

The Counter Reformation - NewAdvent.org

The Catholic Reformation - Christianity.org.uk

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation

Bruce Gordon — Calvin

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

One of the pondering questions that arose out of the reformation was that of the Anabaptist’s. Who were they? Why were they so vilified? What led both Catholic and Protestants alike to despise them as much as they did with equal animosity? Were they truly heretics or simply misunderstood?

This week the Curious team explore the birth and journey of the 16th century Anabaptist’s, looking at their founders, their particular beliefs and practices, the specific persecution brought to bear against them, the extremities they displayed at times, and the disastrous events of Münster!

In this sixth episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team explore the impact and influence of the Anabaptist’s and question whether the persecution they suffered was justified, or whether they were deeply misunderstood

Join the Curious Team this week in what promises to be a very intriguing and revealing episode

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
Anabaptism: A Brief History - AMNetwork.uk

Anabaptists - Baptist.org.uk

The Origin of Anabaptist Churches - BaptistHistoryHomepage.com

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation

Bruce Gordon — Calvin

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

There has perhaps been no other figure more celebrated yet more vilified, more appreciated yet more misunderstood, more eulogised over and yet more criticised and condemned, than the controversial French born theologian John Calvin. To some Calvin is little more than the originator of the theological system we call Calvinism today, even though he had nothing to do with the formulation of such a system. To others he was the tyrant of Geneva, and yet others would see him as one of Europe’s most significant and impactful thinkers.

This week the Curious team have the great honour of interviewing Matt White, a keen observer and student of John Calvin. Together with Matt, Pete and the Curious team walk-through the life, thinking and influence of John Calvin, warts and all. They’ll be exploring Calvin the student, the person seeking asylum, the unwilling organiser, the gifted thinker and strategist, the father and husband, the leader, influencer and reluctant reformer. This episode will look at the high points of Calvin‘s life, his Institutions, his development of Geneva as a “school of Christ”, as well as his low points, his controversial run-in with Servetus.

In this fifth episode of our series, The Road to Reformation, the Curious team take a no-holds-barred dive into Calvin’s life and influence, asking why he has often been labelled a misery or a tyrant, and why perhaps such characterisations may not be particularly accurate.

Join the Curious Team this week in what promises to be a very intriguing and revealing episode.

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…

The Life and Times of John Calvin - ChristianHistoryInstitute.org

Calvin: A Biography - TheGospelCoalition.org

John Calvin - Ligonier.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation

Bruce Gordon — Calvin

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

Who was Ulrich Zwingli? How does a priest, turned soldier, turned protester, turned reformer, end up dead on a field in a five kilometre square piece of land in the Swiss town of Kappel? What were the forces, the difficulties and conflicts, and the significant personalities that came to bear on Zwingli? Who were his supporters and how dangerous were his enemies?

This week the Curious team take a look at the phenomenon that was the Swiss reformation, reflecting on the significant role Ulrich Zwingli came to play in igniting, developing and establishing it.

In this fourth episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team launch into Zwingli’s life, influence and legacy. What impact the events in Switzerland came to have on the European reformation.

Join the Curious Team this week as they step in to the extraordinary events of Zwingli’s life.

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
The Life and Thought of Zwingli - ChristianHistoryInstitude.org

9 Things You Should Know About Ulrich Zwingli - TheGospelCoalition.org


What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

Few in church history could ever fully comprehend the enormity of impact the event of October 31st, 1517 in Wittenberg could produce on the global church. Martin Luther’s inquisitive protest against the machinery of indulgences, was launched initially as an invitation for clear and theologically intelligent minds to critically reflect on the validity and value of indulgences

This week the Curious them take a look at the enigma that is Martin Luther. What was his home life like? Was it overly strict? Was it supportive and loving? How did the University of Erfurt shape his thinking? How did Luther’s ‘lightening bolt’ experience recalibrate his perspective and values? What were the 95 thesis really all about? What was Luther really trying to achieve in making them public? And why was the Diet of Worms in May 1521, so incredibly significant for Luther and decisive for the Reformation?

In this third episode of our series, “The Road to Reformation”, the Curious team launch into Luther, his beginnings, his early convictions, his formulating discontent, and his eventual public display, challenging the might of the Holy Catholic Church!

Join the Curious Team this week as they step in to the extraordinary events of 1517 and it’s immediate aftermath on the European church.

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
Luther's Early Life - LutheranRefromation.org

Luther's Early Years - ChristianHistoryInstitute.org


What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin.

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

Some imagine that justification by faith, the great rallying cry of the reformation, was a specifically Protestant invention, and more particularly, a Luther invention! Yet as early as 1511 (6yrs before Luther), Cardinal Gasparo Contarini came to an understanding of justification by faith, and was desirous to debate it within the Catholic hierarchy.

That being said, the church collective, was not in a very healthy state in the fifteenth century. The corruptive systemic elements of simony (clerical offices for sale), immorality, and indulgences (purgatory for sale), were deeply entrenched in the Catholic Church. Humanism and the renaissance were question biblical interpretation under the cry; Ad fontes—“to the sources!” Whilst irritants like John Wycliffe and his Lollards, and Jan Hus and his Hussites were causing no end of friction!

In this first episode of our brand new series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team launch into faith in the fifteenth century. What were the influences, the burgeoning practices, the defective thinking that summoned the need for such a seismic change as a Europe-wide reformation ? Who were the instigators, the key personalities that caused many to look beyond the present to see alternative possibilities?

Join the Curious Team this week as they step back in history and seek to review pre-reformation forces that would herald irreversible change.

Further Reading
In an attempt to maintain balance, we have listed below brief overviews of the reformation from both Protestant and catholic perspectives…

The State of the Church Before the Reformation - ModernReformation.org

Searching for Gospel-Centred Theology Before the Reformation - TheGospelCoalition.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes. We’ve been getting stuck into the following;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex —The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

In his book A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation, writer Nick Page claims that the effects of the sixteenth century European reformation, created and defined denominational identities, changed our perspectives of God, living and the afterlife, reshaped the map of Europe, and hugely affected our present ideas of sovereignty, individuality, and democratic rights.

In this introductory episode to a brand-new series on the reformation, the Curious team speak with Nick Page about his book, God, history, and the key players and movers within the reformation. In an attempt to set the scene for the following episodes, Nick paints the landscape in broad brush strokes, attempting to define just what sixteenth century Europe looked like, and the significant players and their inevitable impact.

This stands to be a very different series for the Curious Team as they tackle the reformation, looking at it from an historical as well as theological perspective. Be sure to tune in to what will be a rip-roaring ride of facts, figures, key personalities and major movements


Further Reading
In an attempt to maintain balance, we have listed below brief overviews of the reformation from both Protestant and catholic perspectives…
Introducing the Reformation - TheGospelCoalition.org

The Reformation - Catholic.com

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes. We’ve been getting stuck into the following;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious