The Protestant Reformation, a movement to the Scriptures as the primary rule of life and practice - Sola Scriptura, was a reaction against the teachings, corruption, and abuses of the Roman Catholic church in the 14th to 17th centuries. While the movement initially was an attempt to reform the Catholic Church, the failure of those attempts led to a departure from that church and the founding of what today has become a number of protestant denominations. This exhibit highlights the works and ministry of some of the early key figures in the Reformation movement across Europe, displaying some of their original Bible translation and theological works. Theologians represented are John Wycliffe, Erasmus Desiderius, Martin Luther, Philipp Melancthon, William Tyndale, and a special emphasis on John Calvin.

The Biblical Heritage Gallery where these items were exhibited closed in 2019 to make way for the Warren and Betty Wiersbe Library and Reading Room, which opened in the fall of 2019. The items in the on-line exhibit described below are housed in Special Collections at the Centennial Library at Cedarville University and are available for use by the public on request. Follow this link to contact the University Archivist.