
In the Reformation era, Catholics spread the faith world-wide, including to Japan. After weeks of cruel captivity, the Nagasaki martyrs depicted here by an unknown Japanese artist, were roasted slowly between fires [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
If you could spend an afternoon with just one person from the Reformation, who would you choose? The Reformation was an era of well-known names, heroes and heroines on both sides of the Catholic/Protestant divide. The fire of their faith could not be quenched. The zeal with which they faced imprisonment and even met death has become a testimony to all subsequent ages. It would be the opportunity of a life time to talk with almost any of them.
Six half-hour programs vividly bring to life the Reformation Overview, and covers seven colorful reform leaders.
For myself, I would be torn between Knox and Tyndale. Luther wrote so much and so much has been written about that I feel as if I already know him. Although much has also been written about Knox and Tyndale, too, I still cannot form as clear an estimate of either as I wish. Probably I would opt to sit down with Tyndale.
Who would you pick?
- William Tyndale’s (1494–1536) Poignant Prison Letter
- John Fisher (1469–1535) Points Others to Heaven from His Prison Cell
- Thomas More (1478–1535) Meditates on Choice While Awaiting Execution
- Martin Luther (1483–1546) Translates the Bible While in Protective Custody
- Lady Jane Grey (1537–1554) Finds her final hope in Christ
- Philip of Moscow (1507–1569) Assassinated in Prison for Rebuking Ivan the Terrible
- John Knox (1510–1572) Pulls an Oar as a Galley Slave
- Anne Askew (1521–1546) Holds Her Own Against the Men Who Torture Her
- Giovan Paschale (died 1560) Hopes for Eternal Satisfaction
- Guido de Brès (1522–1567) Comforts His Family from Death Row
- Edmund Campion (1540–1581) Defends His Mission at His Arraignment
- John of the Cross (1542–1591) Paraphrases Solomon in His Dungeon
- Henry Barrowe (c. 1550–1593) Is Bullied at His “Arraignment”
- Southwell (c.1561–1595) Was Tortured for Priestly Actions
- Peter Bergier leads Jean Pierre Chambon to Christ in Prison (1562)
- John Frederick (1503–1554) rejected a compromise of faith