Reformation Church History
This course examines the historic development of the Protestant Reformation from the 16th century to its global and contemporary impact. It focuses on:
- The origins and causes of the Reformation
- Key reformers and their teachings
- The spread of Reformation movements across nations
Key figures include: Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, John Knox.
Key movements explored:
- Lutheranism
- Calvinism
- Anabaptism
- Puritanism
The course emphasises applying the Reformation principles of faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone to Christian life and ministry.
Course Description
This course explores the development of the Protestant Reformation, examining the lives and teachings of major Reformers and the emergence of key Protestant movements. It also considers the Reformation's continuing influence on the church and society today.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will:
- Understand the origin, history, and doctrines of the Reformation
- Interpret the impact of the Reformation on the modern church and world
- Examine the influence of the Reformation in Africa
- Identify historical challenges faced by the Church and apply lessons today
Course Content
- Background to the Reformation
- Intellectual setting: The Renaissance
- Martin Luther and early reforms
- Reactions to Luther
- Ulrich Zwingli
- Anabaptism
- John Calvin
- The Catholic (Counter) Reformation
- The Council of Trent and justification
- The Reformation in England and Scotland
- Emergence of missionary movements
- Impact of the Reformation in Africa
Mode of Delivery
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Class interaction
- Group discussions
- Reading and assignments
Reading Materials
- Bromley, G.W. ? Zwingli and Bullinger
- Calvin, John ? Institutes of the Christian Religion
- Luther, Martin ? Bondage of the Will
- Schaff, P. ? History of the Christian Church
- Spitz, L. ? Renaissance and Reformation Movements
Evaluation
- Examinations: 60%
- Coursework and continuous assessment: 40%
Weekly Schedule
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Background to the Reformation |
| 2 | The Renaissance Context |
| 3 | Martin Luther and Early Reforms |
| 4 | Reactions to Luther |
| 5 | Ulrich Zwingli and Anabaptism |
| 6 | John Calvin and Calvinism |
| 7 | Mid-term Review |
| 8 | The Catholic Counter-Reformation |
| 9 | The Council of Trent and Justification |
| 10 | The Reformation in England and Scotland |
| 11 | Emergence of Missionary Movements |
| 12 | Puritanism and its Legacy |
| 13 | Impact of the Reformation in Africa |
| 14 | Final Review and Examination Preparation |
Historical summaries, Reformation doctrine notes, and lecture outlines for this course are available as downloadable files. Materials include structured academic notes provided by the instructor.
Required Readings
- Bromley, G.W. ? Zwingli and Bullinger
- Calvin, John ? Institutes of the Christian Religion
- Luther, Martin ? Bondage of the Will
- Schaff, P. ? History of the Christian Church
- Spitz, L. ? Renaissance and Reformation Movements
Media Resources
This section includes lectures on Reformation history, documentary-style teachings, and theological discussions. Audio resources include recorded lectures and teaching sessions. These materials bring the Reformation period to life and support deeper engagement with the historical and theological content.
Types of Assignments
- Essays
- Historical analysis papers
- Research assignments
- Class participation
Submission Guidelines
- Submitted via course platform or directly to instructor
- Accepted formats: PDF, Word documents (.doc / .docx)
Requirements
- Clear historical and theological analysis
- Proper referencing
- Logical argument development
Academic Integrity
- Original work required
- No plagiarism
- Proper citation mandatory