The Hidden Tradition: Women of the Reformation, Part V

The Hidden Tradition:
Women of the Reformation, Part V

Listening to the Silenced Voices

When we listen to the silenced voices of the women of the Reformation we hear the Reformation message of the priesthood of all believers. These women took seriously the doctrine that salvation in Christ made every believer a new creation (regeneration) and re-established a direct relationship between the Christian and God (reconciliation). Therefore, they believed they had the right, the responsibility, and the ability to come to the Bible directly and to use it to minister the truth in love.

All agreed on this foundational principle of direct access to God and God’s Word through Christ. However, they did not believe that this required uniformity of roles. Some of the women of the Reformation maintained “more traditional roles” of “wives of great leaders” and of a ministry primarily (but never always) to and in the home. Others chose the “less traditional role” of defenders of the Reformation.

Marie Dentiere: Conscience Held Captive to the Word of God

Regardless of their roles, their consciences were held captive to the Word of God. Marie Dentiere (1495-1561) captures well the essence of their message and method. Writing to Queen Marguerite of Navarre (1492-1549), she biblically defends the priesthood of all believers and the calling of women. “Do we have two gospels, one for men and the other for women? One for the educated and the other for the multitude. Are we not all one in our Savior?”[i]

She continues, this time more pointedly emphasizing women’s roles. “For we ought not, any more than men, hide and bury within the earth that which God has revealed to us women. Although we are not permitted to preach in assemblies and public churches, nevertheless we are not prohibited from writing and advising one another, in all charity.”[ii]

Boldly she adds, “Not only do we wish to accuse any defamers and adversaries of the truth of very great audacity and temerity, but also any of the faithful who say that women are very impudent in interpreting Scripture for one another. To them, one is lawfully able to respond that all those who are described and named in the Holy Scripture are not to be judged too temerarious.”[iii]

Dentiere then discusses a host of women of the Old and New Testament who “are named and praised in the Holy Scriptures, not only for their good morals, deeds, bearing, and example, but for their faith and doctrine.”[iv]

Her concluding words encapsulate well the attitude of the great women soul care-givers and spiritual directors of the Reformation era. “If God has given graces to some good women, revealing to them something holy and good through His Holy Scriptures, should they, for the sake of the defamers of the truth, refrain from writing down, speaking, or declaring it to each other? Ah! It would be too impudent to hide the talent which God has given us, we who ought to have the grace to persevere to the end. Amen!”[v]


[i]Wilson, 260.
[ii]Ibid., 275.
[iii]Ibid., 277.
[iv]Ibid.
[v]Ibid., 278.