Radicals at the Time of the 16th Century Reformation

Alongside the Lutheran and Reformed types of Reformation, more radical tendencies emerged in the 16th century: peaceful Anabaptists; illuminists or enthusiasts ready to establish the kingdom of God through violence; spiritualists indifferent or even hostile towards the visible structures of churches and communities. These “radicals” are diverse and in one way or another opposed to the society of the time. Their characteristics are presented here and their topicality questioned.