The Reformation: Roots and Ramifications

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.