On 13 June 1525, Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in a private ceremony officiated by city preacher Johann Bugenhagen. Whilst Luther was not the first former monk or Reformer to marry, his marriage immediately became one of the iconic episodes of the Protestant Reformation. From that point on, the marital status of clergy would be a pivotal dividing line between the Catholic and Protestant churches. Tackling the early stages of this divide, this book provides a fresh assessment of clerical marriage in the first half of the sixteenth century, when the debates were undecided and the intellectual and institutional situation remained fluid and changeable. It investigates the way that clerical marriage was received, and viewed in the dioceses of Mainz and Magdeburg under Archbishop Albrecht of Brandenburg from 1513 to 1545. By concentrating on a cross-section of rural and urban settings from three key regions within this territory - Saxony, Franconia, and Swabia - the study is able to present a broad comparison of reactions to this contentious issue. Although the marital status of the clergy remains perhaps the most identifiable difference between Protestant and Roman Catholic churches, remarkably little research has been done on how the shift from a "celibate" to a married clergy took place during the Reformation in Germany or what reactions such a move elicited. As such, this book will be welcomed by all those wishing to gain greater insight, not only into the theological debates, but also into the interactions between social identity, governance, and religious practice.

Women and the Counter-Reformation in Early Modern Münster examines how women from different social backgrounds encountered the Counter-Reformation. The focus is on Münster, a city in the north of Germany, which was exposed to powerful Protestant influences which culminated in the notorious Anabaptist kingdom of 1534. After the defeat of the radical Protestants, the city was returned to Catholicism and a stringent programme of reform was enforced. By examining concubinage, piety, marriage, deviance, and convent reform, core issues of the Counter-Reformation's quest for renewal, this fascinating study shows how women participated in the social and religious changes of the time, and how their lives were shaped by the Counter-Reformation. Employing research into the political, religious, and social institutions, and using an impressive variety of sources, Simone Laqua-O'Donnell engages with the way women experienced the new religiosity, morality, and discipline that was introduced to the city of Münster during this turbulent time.

For most of its history, Christianity has told its stories from the perspective of men. Jennifer Hornyak Wojciechowski foregrounds the story of Christian women for a new era. Be they powerful or nameless, saintly or flawed, women across two millennia and six continents are allowed to speak fully to their part in the spread of a global faith.

The Protestant Clergy of Early Modern Europe provides a comprehensive survey of the Protestant clergy in Europe during the confessional age. Eight contributions, written by historians with specialist research knowledge in the field, offer the reader a wide-ranging synthesis of the main concerns of current historiography. Themes include the origins and the evolution of the Protestant clergy during the age of Reformation, the role and function of the clergy in the context of early modern history, and the contribution of the clergy to the developments of the age (the making of confessions, education, the reform of culture, social and political thought).

From Ho (Whore) to Holy details the journey of a person going from innocence to idolatry, and back to righteousness, by mirroring Marcia's life steps to those of Israel, the "apple of God's eye." Israel was created by the Creator, because of his desire to have a wife, a people, and a family. Israel is important to all human beings, because it is the focus of what God has planned for all of us, individually! But Israel wanted freedom (from one god) and fun, by seeking many lovers (different gods), which in essence, constituted idolatry. How can the whorish Israel ever become a loyal and righteous wife (nation) again? By traveling through Marcia's life, we realize that Israel will be the wife of God, and believers will be the wife of Jesus! The book details the steps of becoming a harlot, characteristics of a whore, consequences of whoredom, steps to take to stop whoredom, how to be transformed (with benefits), ensuring that one becomes holy, and no longer living as a ho. There are some women in the Bible who were transformed, with benefits, which included Ruth, Tamar, and Mary Magdalene. There were some who pretended to be transformed, but were not, such as Samson. And then, there were those who no longer practiced whoredom, changed, and became a wife, such as Rahab. This book allows self-assessment of ones level of holiness, righteousness, and intimacy with God.

A study Bible with thousands of verse commentary notes designed by women specifically for women to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the kingdom. Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Since the publication of the first edition of The Woman’s Study Bible, this landmark study Bible has sold over 2 million copies. Features include: Beautiful full-color design throughout for you to enjoy as you engage Scripture Detailed biographical portraits allow you to learn from the lives of over 100 women in the Bible Thousands of extensive verse-by-verse study notes explain each passage and provide meaning to Scripture Over 300 in-text topical articles on relevant issues for you to glean wisdom from and apply to your life Insightful essays by women who are recognized experts in the fields of theology, biblical studies, archaeology, and philosophy to deepen your theological knowledge Book introductions and outlines provide an overview and context for each book Hundreds of full-color, in-text maps, charts, timelines, and family trees give a visual representation of Israel and other biblical themes Quotes from godly women throughout history to encourage and guide your faith journey Topical index and concordance help locate words and show the number of occurrences throughout the Bible Clear and readable KJV Comfort Print® typeface in 10.5-point print size

Combining seamless synthesis of original material with updated scholarship, The European Reformations 2nd edition, provides the most comprehensive and engaging textbook available on the origins and impacts of Europe's Reformations - and the consequences that continue to resonate today. A fully revised and comprehensive edition of this popular introduction to the Reformations of the sixteenth century Includes new sections on the Catholic Reformation, the Counter Reformation, the role of women, and the Reformation in Britain Sets the origins of the movements in the context of late medieval social, economic and religious crises, carefully tracing its trajectories through the different religious groups Succeeds in weaving together religion, politics, social forces, and the influential personalities of the time, in to one compelling story Provides a variety of supplementary materials, including end-of-chapter suggestions for further reading, along with maps, illustrations, a glossary, and chronologies