1523 - THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE REFORMATION

1 July 1523, Hendrik Vos and Johan van den Esschen died by burning at the stake on the Grand-Place in Brussels. They were the first martyrs of the Reformation.

Following this event, the Faculty of Protestant Theology and Religious Studies (FPTR) in Brussels organized a colloquium to discuss what has changed in the 500 years since the first martyrs of the Reformation. After an historical introduction to set the scene regarding 1 July 1523, this colloquium dealt with the consequences of the Reformation on various and diverse topics that include secularization, the role of women, democracy, virtue ethics, interreligious dialogue, ending with a proposal on how to move forward.

This book can be a starting point for further scientifi c research, especially in the area of secularization, women’s emancipation, and the beginning of the Jewish-Christian dialogue. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Reformation and its consequences.

1523. The first Protestant Martyrs is written in collaboration with Dr Guy Liagre, Drs Jan Christian Pinsch, Drs Harry Sinnaghel, Prof Dr Johan Temmerman, Prof Dr Guido Vanheeswijck, Prof Dr Pieter Vos, and Dr Dick Wursten