Italy’s Forgotten Reformation

To the surprise of many, Italy, the seat of Roman Catholicism, underwent a Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century that reverberated throughout the country. From 1511 until 1542, home-grown movements of gospel renewal coalesced with the teaching of northern Protestant Reformers to produce a host of Italian preachers, commentators, theologians, and committed laypeople who believed that the authority of Scripture and the doctrine of justification were the leading edge of Christian identity and calling. This dynamic movement in Italy transformed segments of the Roman church, on both the lay level and in the upper echelons of the curia, until it was stamped out by the Roman Inquisition. In this lecture Dr. Chris Castaldo will offer an introduction to the chief exponents, contributions, and enduring lessons of this now forgotten episode of church history.

The lecture will be followed by an open Q&A.