God Hovered Over the Waters: The Emergence of the Protestant Reformation

On March 11 2011 from deep within the earths crust enormous forces drove tectonic plates toward over another. In the collision one plate riding over the other displaced massive amounts of water. The displaced water began racing toward the Japanese shoreline each mile exponentially increasing in its fury. Coming ashore in Japan the tsunami swept aside everything in its path as if they were small toys. In sixteenth century Europe there also was a collision of changing environmental technological educational and political forces. Like the energy created by colliding tectonic plates in 2011 these surging and chaotic waters emerged from within the depths of human experiences and spiritual yearnings. Through the guiding hands of the Holy Spirit these waters swept up the Reformation movement emptying it into theological lakes and streams across Europe. Therefore to understand the Reformation movement one needs to comprehend these varied forces that moved it into reality. The book further details the resulting contributions of the Reformation movements within Germany Switzerland the British Isles France and the Netherlands. In conclusion the author addresses the lasting legacy of the Reformation for contemporary society and the means for a new congregational and governing body Reformation today. William dePrater has written not just a concise history of the Reformation and its continuing influence today but perhaps more importantly he has written a very useful book. Pastors who teach a new members class small groups who study the roots of their own faith or councils who seek a deeper understanding of the church will find this book an indispensable resource for ministry. --Thomas W. Currie Professor of Theology Union Presbyterian Seminary Charlotte NC Like a wise museum docent William dePrater not only points out the pictures of Reformation figures hanging on the wall he tells their stories. Combining a scholars careful study of history and a pastors love for the church dePrater weaves social political medical and theological concerns into a wonderful introduction to the ways God hovered over the waters and birthed the Reformation. --Matthew A. Rich Pastor Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church Augusta GA Out of a career as a pastor theologian teacher and leader dePrater offers a gift to those who wrestle with and seek to understand what it means to profess and to live in the reformed tradition. The reader will find a comprehensive description of the society the history and the key leaders who contributed to the continuing conversation of who we are and how we proclaim what we believe. --Gay Mothershed Christian Educator and PCUSA Elder Black Mountain NC William A. dePrater III served in several pastoral and governing body ministries within the Presbyterian Church (USA) with an emphasis on congregational and governing body revitalization. Currently retired he and his wife live near Chapel Hill NC where he enjoys teaching reformed history theology and church polity.