Christian Prisoners in the Reformation Era (1501–1600)

 

 

[ABOVE—During 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 File:ChristianMartyrsOfNagasaki.jpg]

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.

reformation overview dvd

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?

Subjects are listed chronologically by year of death.

John Fisher (1469–1535) Points Others to Heaven from His Prison Cell

Thomas More (1478–1535) Meditates on Choice While Awaiting Execution

William Tyndale’s (1494–1536) Poignant Prison Letter

Martin Luther (1483–1546) Translates the Bible While in Protective Custody

Anne Askew (1521–1546) Holds Her Own Against the Men Who Torture Her

John Frederick (1503–1554) rejected a compromise of faith

Lady Jane Grey (1537–1554) Finds her final hope in Christ

Giovan Paschale (died 1560) Hopes for Eternal Satisfaction

Peter Bergier leads Jean Pierre Chambon to Christ in Prison (1562)

Guido de Brés (1522–1567) Comforts His Family from Death Row

Philip of Moscow (1507–1569) Assassinated in Prison for Rebuking Ivan the Terrible

John Knox (1510–1572) Pulls an Oar as a Galley Slave

Edmund Campion (1540–1581) Defends His Mission at His Arraignment

George Buchanan (1506-1582) made Latin verses in prison

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