Silent Witnesses: Lessons on Theology, Life, and the Church from Christians of the Past

by Garry J. Williams

In this book Garry Williams writes about Christians of the past for Christians of the present. He describes both famous and less well-known figures and movements from church history, from the fourth century through to the Augustine of Hippo, the Council of Chalcedon, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, Nicholas Ridley, John Calvin, Anne Bradstreet, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, and John Laing.

As their lives are sketched and their writings expounded, they serve as silent witnesses to the essentials of the Christian Faith, to the challenges of Christian living, to the work of the pastor, and to the life of the church. At the end of the book, after their stories have been told, a final chapter makes the case for a Christian view of history itself.

Genres: Theology

240 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 2013

Reviews

[David Meiklejohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at some of the great Christians of the past, gives us a bit of a history lesson on them and then suggests what we can learn from them for our daily Christian lives.
From Augustine to Laing the builder, there are some great examples but each with their flaws too.
A useful, readable and inspiring book.

[Connor Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so very encouraging in learning about heroes of the past. It was a good mixture of ones that I was familiar with as well as less known heroes. I also really enjoyed how the author organized it by looking at the topics that made these individuals important and noticeable. My favorite chapters were on Anne Bradstreet, Nicholas Ridley and the Chalcedon council

[Kieran Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit me very hard. Reading about the theological giants; ancient debates; and ordinary christians of the past brought me great joy and encouragement. I was reminded of the things I take for granted and taught things I never knew. A great case for writing Christian history!

[James Brixey]

more a collection of articles that are all about characters from history. some chapters are easier to read than others.

none of this is a criticism of this book. it is an edifying read

[James Bunyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First third is a little stodgy but, once this has warmed up, it is excellent (notes in staff study program).