Idelette Calvin (c. 1509-1549): Besides Martin Luther, the man whose name is most synonymous with the Protestant Reformation is the great John Calvin. Like Luther, Calvin had a remarkable wife who stood by his side throughout his fruitful yet often difficult ministry. Yet how did this shy, bookish, confirmed bachelor come to get married in the first place? And what kind of woman was his wife, Idelette? Join us for today’s episode to find out!

Katie Luther (1499-1552): We continue today with the story of Katie Luther, wife of the great Martin Luther! Although Katie may have seemed an unusual match for the mighty reformer, she was a dynamic force in her own right! She proved to be perfectly suited to walk with her husband through all the successes and disappointments, all the joys and challenges that he faced as the initiator of one of the most transformative movements in western history. Not only that, but you would be hard pressed to find a gal who better exemplified the traits of the “Proverbs 31 Woman!” If you think Martin Luther was significant, then you DEFINITELY need to learn about the woman who helped make him the man he was, because Katie Luther is certainly a woman worth knowing!

Katie Luther (1499-1552): Most Christians know of Martin Luther, the great Father of the Protestant Reformation. But not many know about his wife Katie, the “Morning Star of Wittenberg” who served faithfully by his side as the Mother of the Reformation! Today, we look at Katie’s early life, including the unique and even humorous way in which the Lord brought her and Martin together! You won’t want to miss the story of how this runaway nun and former monk became the unlikely model of Protestant marriage!

Madame Guyon (1647-1717): Jasmine and Kathy are back for the second part of the remarkable story of Madame Guyon! Utterly transformed by the Word of God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, this dynamic, spiritually sensitive woman began to travel around France simply sharing and writing about what God had shown her. In the process, she sparked a revival that spread throughout the nation and across Europe. Although loyal to the Catholic faith, Madame Guyon’s message of justification by faith made her sound like a Protestant Reformer, for which she faced harsh interrogation and imprisonment. This is a truly amazing story of a godly, uncompromising woman worth knowing!

Madame Guyon (1647-1717): Today Jasmine is joined by one of our favorite friends of the podcast, Kathy Gilbert! They are excited to share with you a woman they both love--the French mystic, Madame Jeanne Guyon! Born into an affluent Catholic family during the decadent reign of the “Sun King,” Louis XIV, Jeanne faced many struggles in her early years as she attempted not only to resist the materialism and decadence of her culture, but to prove her devotion to God through as many extreme practices as possible. It wasn’t until after she was forced into a miserable arranged marriage that the Lord drew Jeanne into a genuine relationship with Himself. Her transformation would influence an entire nation!

Teresa of Avila (1515-1582): Today we will discuss one of the most famous women in Spanish history! Her name is Teresa of Avila, a nun and mystic who, like Catherine of Siena, not only loved the Lord devotedly, but also loved her neighbor through practical service. After years of spiritual struggle, Teresa was transformed by an understanding of what Jesus had done for her. Inspired by her newly found faith, she sparked a reform movement in the Carmelite Order and wrote several books that are considered classics of Spanish literature. Teresa is definitely a woman worth knowing!

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380): Born in the midst of what was known as the “Calamitous Century,” Catherine of Siena played an unsung but significant role not only as a mystic pursuing spiritual renewal, but also as an early voice calling for the reform of the corrupt medieval Church. In fact, she has been called the “Martin Luther of her day!” Join us for the story of one of the most noteworthy women of the Middle Ages!

Joan of Arc (1412-1431) & Julian of Norwich (1342-1416): Perhaps some of the more well-known women of the Middle Ages were those we now classify as “mystics,” those who pursued deeper spiritual union with Jesus primarily through prayer and meditation. Some mystics--like Joan of Arc--may seem eccentric and bizarre, but many others--like Julian of Norwich--simply sought closer communion with the Lord, and played an important role in spiritually reviving a corrupt and dying medieval church! When we understand the context in which these women lived, it helps us appreciate the fact that the mystics are definitely worth knowing!

Even More Medieval Women: That’s right folks, we aren’t done with the Middle Ages yet! While Christian women of this era may not be well-known today, in their time they exerted powerful influence for the Kingdom of God in diverse ways. There’s Hilda, the Abbess of the famous Abbey at Whitby; Leoba, who teamed up with the great missionary Boniface to establish monasteries all over Central Europe for education and the spread of the Gospel; Hroswitha, the first woman poet and playwright in German history; and Hildegard von Bingen, a widely influential abbess, musical composer and preacher. You will definitely be glad you got to know these fascinating women!

More Medieval Women: We continue our look at medieval women with a few more gals who had a greater influence on the course of Church History than anyone realizes! We will talk about Marcella and Paula, who helped Jerome translate the Latin Vulgate; the Roman Empress Pulcheria, who was a great defender of the faith in perilous times; and the Barbarian queens Clotilda, Bertha and Ethelberga, without whom Europe might not have had such a strong Christian heritage. Although they may not receive a lot of recognition, these are without a doubt women worth knowing!