Reformation Church Leaders

Browse church historians and theologians from this period, including biographies, writings, regions, and sourced positions on Christian doctrine.

Jacob Arminius

16th-17th Century / Netherlands

Dutch Reformed theologian known for writings on election, grace, free will, atonement, perseverance, and debates that shaped Arminian theology.

194 positions / 5 writings

Jan Hus

14th-15th Century / Bohemia

Czech priest and reformer; influenced by Wycliffe, martyred at Council of Constance for challenging papal authority.

165 positions / 3 writings

John Calvin

16th Century / Geneva, Switzerland

French theologian and reformer; wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion, developed Reformed theology.

177 positions / 8 writings

John Knox

16th Century / Scotland

Scottish reformer who established Presbyterianism in Scotland; student of Calvin.

174 positions / 6 writings

John Wycliffe

14th Century / England

Pre-reformer who translated the Bible into English and challenged papal authority; 'Morning Star of the Reformation'.

172 positions / 5 writings

Martin Luther

16th Century / Germany

German monk who sparked the Protestant Reformation; emphasized justification by faith alone.

181 positions / 9 writings

Menno Simons

16th Century / Netherlands

Anabaptist leader and former Catholic priest whose writings emphasized believer baptism, discipleship, nonviolence, church discipline, holiness, and separation from worldly power.

182 positions / 5 writings

Theodore Beza

16th Century / Geneva, Switzerland

Calvin's successor in Geneva; developed Reformed theology and biblical scholarship.

157 positions / 3 writings

Thomas Cranmer

16th Century / England

Archbishop of Canterbury; compiled the Book of Common Prayer and led English Reformation.

165 positions / 5 writings

Ulrich Zwingli

16th Century / Zurich, Switzerland

Swiss reformer whose preaching and writings shaped Reformed theology, especially Scripture, worship, sacraments, images, church discipline, and civic reform.

218 positions / 5 writings