October 30, 2020
“Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” (Genesis 2:18). From the beginning of creation, God designed a wife to be a helper for her husband. She was to be someone fit or suitable to him. Her strength and ability compliment his so they can work together. They are to be one flesh just as Christ and the Church. This implies not only physical intimacy, but intimacy in other areas of life as well. Proverbs 31 shows us an example of a wife that helps her husband in every aspect of life. We are told in verse 11 that “The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.” As I conclude my reflection on the Protestant Reformation, I would like to look at some suitable helpers who worked alongside their husbands during difficult times. Some of these women were the wives of those working to spread the Protestant Reformation and others were the wives of leaders who sought to purify the Church of England.
Katharina Luther was from a noble family and was sent to a nunnery at an early age. She was a nun that met Martin Luther when he helped her and other nuns escape. They took refuge in Wittenberg as breaking their vows and running away was punishable by death. While their marriage may have been one of convenience (many of the nuns married for the protection of a husband), they worked alongside one another as the Protestant Reformation grew into a movement with many followers. Another former nun and abbess, Marie Dontiér, married a former priest and encouraged other nuns to join the Reformation (and find husbands). Her and her husband started a girls school to help train young girls apart from the Roman Catholic church. (Many girls were sent to abbies to be trained by nuns once they reached their teen years.) She was involved in various ministries with her husband and was an active part of the Reformation movement.
Anna Bullinger was particularly notable to me in my study of the wives of Reformation leaders. She became known throughout Europe due to her husband’s writings on marriage and family. This seems to me to be the epitome of Proverbs 31:28, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” While caring for her family of 11 children, she was also a gracious hostess, welcoming people into her home, especially refugees. Many who faced persecution fled to Switzerland for safety, and all who came found welcome in her home. She is someone I want to emulate in being a good wife, mother, and housekeeper, while also extending hospitality to all in need!
The struggle for those in Protestant denominations was not resolved with the Protestant Reformation. Those who did not conform to the rules and guidelines of the Church of England also faced persecution. That was the only recognized religion of England, and those who opposed the rules of the state were subject to harsh punishments, and even death. Some decided to escape the persecution and fled to other countries or the Americas. These Separatists removed themselves from the reach of the Church of England, often by renouncing their citizenship! Others, the Puritans, sought to remain in England and purify the church through civil disobedience. John Bunyan was a preacher who refused to follow the Book of Common Prayer and other teachings of the Church of England. He was arrested shortly after marrying his second wife. Due to the stress of his imprisonment, she miscarried her baby. She was left to care for his other four children alone as he remained imprisoned for 12 years, with only a brief interval where he was released. She remained faithful to him, and even appealed to the authorities for his release on multiple occasions.
There were other Puritans that finally gave up the fight and traveled to New England to start a life there free from the oversight of the Church of England. The Winthrops were a prominent, wealthy family. They gave up their privilege to travel to New England where John Winthrop served as governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They endured many times of separation, especially when he had to travel to New England without her, as she was expecting and could not make the hazardous journey while pregnant. They lost two children in the crossing, one adult son who died while traveling with his father, and an infant daughter, who died when she traveled with the remaining children to join him. She gave up her life of privilege and left her family to remain with her husband and follow his leading. Though she made a point of never getting involved in political or religious debates, she made her home open to such debates and served as a gracious hostess.
These and many other women gave up wealth, status, security, and much more not only to follow or support their husbands but also for their own convictions. These women were not simply following, they served alongside their husbands. Even if they didn’t write a paper or speak to a women’s group, they were opening their home, serving food, caring for those in need. They were also diligently teaching their own children and guiding them to a knowledge of the truth from God’s Word. I pray that we may be so faithful. That we will follow our convictions no matter what it may cost us. I pray that we would be faithful to teach other women that they may be strengthened to do the same!