This book looks at the Christian idea of salvation as seen through the eyes of five English reformers of the 16th century, including the famous Bible translator, William Tyndale. It highlights their debt to continental theologicans, especially Martin Luther, and reveals how they sought to make theology relevant to the everyday lives of those around them.

This book is the first major and exclusive study of the Christian idea of salvation as seen through the eyes of five sixteenth century English reformers: John Frith, John Hooper, Robert Barnes, John Bradford, and the famous Bible translator, William Tyndale. The author sets their views in context, both historically and intellectually, before engaging in a detailed and clear examination of all the relevant aspects of their thought, from election and justification to the relationship between sacraments and salvation. The picture that emerges reveals not only the extensive impact of continental thought upon English reformation theology, but also the manner in which the writings of men such as Luther, Melanchthon, Bullinger, and Bucer were used (often selectively and sometimes surprisingly) by the English reformers to support their own distinctive concerns. It also becomes clear that by 1556, English Protestantism, even at its highest level, had already experienced serious doctrinal tensions concerning the nature of salvation, tensions which were a dark omen of future controversies.

Each of the five reformers is presented with sympathy and in the second part of the book we are able to read them in their own words to a considerable extent ... it is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the role of English reformers on the shaping of the Church in England.