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BOOK REVIEWS The Cambridge Companion to Reformation Theology. Edited by DAVID BAGCHI and DAVID C. STEINMETZ. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Pp. x + 298. $70.00 (cloth), $25.99 (paper). ISBN 0-521-77224-9 (cloth), 0-521-77662-7 (paper). This well-conceived volume of introductions makes clear the breadth and vigor of theological thought and writing in the sixteenth century in Europe. Sixteen scholars offer introductory accounts for nonspecialists of the main figures and schools, beginning with late medieval systematic theology, Lollardry, and the Hussite reformation. Some chapters are outstanding. E. Rummel is solid on Erasmus's genuinely theological contribution. S. Hendrix is concise but splendidly informative on Luther's teaching through the phases of his incredible productivity. R. Kolb charts well the movement of Lutheran theology through the controversies leading to the Formula of Concord (1577). D. Steinmetz surveys Calvin surehandedly, R. Muller exudes vigor and mastery on Reformed theology after Calvin, and W. 0. Packull clears a path through the maze of Anabaptist theological works. D. Bagchi is informative and thoughtful on early Catholic controversialists. Other chapters seem to have less to offer theologically, for example, on Cranmer and on writing in Reformation Scotland. The volume begins with the editors' introduction, emphasizing how a knowledge of theology is essential to understanding the world-historical event ofthe Reformation. They tell quite well how present-day scholarship situates the era's theology, that is, in relation to the wider sixteenth-century culture, to early modern confessionalizing drives in cities and principalities, and to the interaction between elites and the ordinary lives of believers. The bibliographies are generally good (for critical comments, see below). The volume's conclusion is accurate on directions for ongoing research, leading to an engaging final word to an intended student-reader. An index will serve well anyone wanting to study how the main figures handled major theological topics, such as baptism, the meaning of the Old Testament, the church, eucharist, God, justification, predestination, and sacraments. Problems and defects in the volume come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Some small flaws escaped editorial oversight, as when the author of the chapter on the Hussites speaks of "observation" where "observance" is meant (23) and of "conservation" for "consecration" (24). The Formula ofConcord is 289 290 BOOK REVIEWS wrongly dated in 1579 on page 135. Also, Steinmetz erroneously promotes Johann Gropper to be archbishop of Cologne (240). In the medium range of problems, the structure ofthe volume leads it to omit reference to valuable recent studies that treat significant areas of life (and death) in the Reformation era by studying topics across multiple authors and taking up the same issue in different confessional settings. One thinks of C. Eire, The War against the Idols (1986), on iconoclasm, and of B. Gregory, Salvation at Stake (1999), on martyrs and martyrological literature. Some lacunae limit the value of the bibliographies, beginning with omissions of some primary texts available in English, such as Jan Hus's "On Simony," in M. Spinka, ed., Advocates ofReform (1953); Martin Bucer's "The Kingdom of Christ," given in large part in W. Pauck, ed., Melanchthon and Bucer (1969); and Willam Tyndale's Answer to More in the critical edition by A. O'Donnell and J. Wicks (2000), in which this reviewer offered a concise account of Tyndale's impressive theological tenets. W. P. Stephens's chapter on Zwingli, which digests his Zwingli: An Introduction to His Thought (1992), notes the importance for the Zurich reformer of his reading of "Hoen's letter" (89), but then offers no help to one wanting to learn more about Hoen or even locate a copy of the letter. For this, one should consult H. A. Oberman, ed., Forerunners of the Reformation (originally 1966, newly released by James Clarke, 2003). Later in the volume, Packull presents the SchleitheimArticles as a good expression ofAnabaptist faith and community life, but offers no help toward finding the text of the Articles, which are given in M. G. Baylor, ed., The Radical Reformation (1991). Secondary studies deserving but not receiving mention in the Companion are R. Rex, The Lollards (2002) and G. Tavard, The Starting Point of Calvin's Theology (2000...

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