Protestants: The Birth of a Revolution

by Steven E. Ozment

Who were the first men and women who abandoned the Church of Rome and became the world's first Protestants? Harvard historian Steven Ozment does not present us with the remote, dusty figures of history, but rather with the shoemakers and housewives, students and politicians who were among the first followers of Martin Luther. Using pamphlets, diaries, letters, and other primary soruces, Ozment examines the origins of the Reformation and the nature of Protestantism. Rather than seeing the Reformation as the progenitor of German absolutism, as do many scholars of the period, Ozment sees in Protestantism the historic assertion of key Western values--social reform, individual religious conviction, hard work, and the rejection of corruption, hypocrisy, and empty ritual.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Germany, Church History, Christianity

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

A specialist in early modern and modern Germany, the European family, and the Protestant Reformation., Steven Ozment was the McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History emeritus at Harvard University.

Reviews

[Savannah Jordan]

Steven Ozment is a scholar of deservedly renowned reputation. Rather than giving a decided evaluation of the effects of the Reformation, he presents both the pros and the cons. I suspect his actual feelings regarding the effects of the Reformation are much more positive than he acknowledges; however, the current trend in the academic community of which he is a part has a negative view of the Reformation. They feel that it was the spur that help initiate their avowed enemy - capitalism. I think he does not want to alienate himself from this community.