Protestants and the Cult of the Saints in German-Speaking Europe, 1517-1531 (Sixteenth Century Essays & Studies, V. 65)

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Summary: Why Reformation leaders so emphatically denounced the cult
Review: Protestants And The Cult Of The Saints In German-Speaking Europe, 1517-1531 by Carol Piper Heming (Assistant Professor of History at Central Missouri State University) is a thorough and scholarly examination of 180 pamphlets published between 1500 and 1500 by religious reformers in German-speaking Europe. Heming presents evidence of the difficulties Protestants had in distancing themselves not only from the Catholic church, but also its many cults of saints. Especially focusing upon why the Reformation leaders so emphatically denounced the cult of the saints, and whether these holy patrons were expunged from Protestant worship without general protest among the Protestants themselves, is presented with an especially astute precision and an academically impressive historical insight.