Women Worth Knowing

Anne Askew (1521-1546): Join us today as we continue with the story of Anne Askew, the fearless English noblewoman who was willing to endure persecution for the sake of the supremacy of God’s Word and the Reformation cause. Though tortured and martyred for her beliefs, Anne’s radiant testimony has lived on to inspire believers for generations.

Anne Askew (1521-1546): That’s right, it’s time for another woman from Tudor England! Today we discuss the life of Anne Askew, a bold, outspoken woman of the English nobility whose stand on the Scriptures and support for the Reformation put her in hot water with the “powers that be.” But before we get into her story, we start out with some “worthy mentions,” lesser known English women connected to Anne who also supported the Reformation. You’ll be amazed at the diverse women who the Lord used at this critical point in English history!

Katherine Parr (1512-1548): Today we finish the story of Katherine Parr, Queen of England and sixth wife of Henry VIII. Like Queen Esther in the Bible, God raised up Katherine “for such a time as this” to protect and preserve the Reformation cause and the furtherance of the Gospel in England. We wrap up this episode with the rest of Lois Landis’s wonderful story as told by one of our listeners, so be sure to join us!

Katherine Parr (1512-1548): As many people know, King Henry VIII was one of England’s most notorious kings, partly because he was married six times! Yet what is not commonly known is the fact that his sixth wife, Katherine, was a devout Protestant who believed God had called her to marry Henry for the furtherance of God’s Word and the Reformation cause in England. So join us today for the fascinating story of God’s work through one of the Tudor Queens of England!

Anne Boleyn (c. 1501-1536): Today we finish the fascinating yet tragic story of Queen Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second wife and a key figure in the unusual beginnings of the Reformation in England. We close this episode with the story of Lois Landis, a woman worth knowing sent in by one of our listeners! You definitely won’t want to miss this episode!!

Anne Boleyn (c. 1501-1536): Anne Boleyn may be one of the most well-known and controversial figures in English history! Yet the fact remains that she was one of the primary catalysts for King Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy, which inadvertently initiated the Protestant Reformation in England. Though not always recognized or appreciated, as Queen of England Anne took a brave stand for the Word of God and church reform in a volatile political and religious climate. She was more than just an enigmatic figure in English history–she is definitely a woman worth knowing!

Margaret Wilson (1667-1685) & Margaret McLachlan (d.1685): Having set the stage, we now get to tell the story of the Wigtown Martyrs of Scotland! Margaret Wilson was a grandmother in her sixties, while Margaret McLachlan was just a girl of eighteen; yet because of their faith in Jesus Christ and dependence on His Word instead of religious and political authorities, these two brave women were arrested and executed for their faith. Their willingness to lay down their lives for Jesus made them radiant and inspiring witnesses...and most certainly women worth knowing!

Margaret Wilson (1667-1685) & Margaret McLachlan (d.1685): We continue our look at women of the Reformation period with the story of the Wigtown Martyrs, two remarkable Scottish women of faith. BUT before we launch into their story, we felt it was important to explore the background of the Reformation in Scotland, so we can understand just what these women were up against! It’s pretty fascinating stuff–you won’t want to miss it!

 Argula von Grumbach (1492-c.1557) & Marie Dentiere (1495-1561): The early years of the Protestant Reformation created unprecedented opportunities for women, particularly in terms of writing. Two standout examples of this phenomenon are the fearless and outspoken authors, Argula von Grumbach and Marie Dentiere. Confident of their biblical standing as Christian women in ministry, Argula and Marie tackled highly controversial issues of their day, regardless of pushback from religious leaders. Although censured and suppressed in their lifetime, they have since been recognized as profound theological writers and key Reformation figures. They are without a doubt women worth knowing!

Vittoria Colonna (c.1492-1547) & Olimpia Morata (c.1526-1555): One of the most unlikely homes of Reformation thought and teaching was the Catholic stronghold of Italy–and two of the most unlikely figures of the Italian Reformation were female authors Vittoria Colonna and Olimpia Morata! These women bravely defended the biblical principles of justification by faith and the authority of Scripture at the risk of censure and, particularly in Morata’s case, of their own personal well-being. You will definitely want to hear the stories of these brilliant writers and witnesses for Christ!