Protestant Reformers


Protestant Reformers were those theologians whose careers, works and actions brought about the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.
In the context of the Reformation, Martin Luther was the first reformer, followed by people like Andreas Karlstadt and Philip Melanchthon at Wittenberg, who promptly joined the new movement. In 1519, Huldrych Zwingli became the first reformer to express a form of the Reformed tradition.
Listed are the most influential reformers only. They are listed by movement, although some reformers influenced multiple movements.
For a full and detailed list of all known reformers, see List of Protestant Reformers.

Notable precursors

Throughout the Middle Ages, there were a number of Christian sects, cults and movements that sought a return to the purity of the Apostolic church and whose teachings foreshadowed Protestant ideas. Some of the main groups were: Paulicians ; Tondrakians ; Bogomils ; Petrobrusians ; Henricans ; Brethren of the Free Spirit ; Apostolic Brethren – later known as Dulcinians – ; Neo-Adamites – including Taborites, Picards and some Beghards – ; Men of Understanding.
Some of those whose doctrines influenced later Protestant movements were:

Arnoldist

There were a number of key reformers within the Magisterial Reformation, including:

Lutheran

Important reformers of the Radical Reformation included:

Anabaptist

There were also a number of people who initially cooperated with the Radical Reformers, but separated from them to form a "Second Front", principally in objection to sacralism. Among these were:

Anabaptist

who worked against the Protestant Reformation included:

Roman Catholic