God Hovered Over the Waters

On March 11, 2011, from deep within the earth's 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 scholar's careful study of history and a pastor's 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.