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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