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For Christ's Crown: Sketches of Puritans and Covenanters
Moving biographies from the author of Trial and Stories from Church History.
The word that perhaps best characterizes the Puritans and Covenanters is faithfulness. Whether Edward Dering preaching boldly before a fuming Queen Elizabeth, Sandy Peden evading the king's men on horse, or Hugh Mackail undergoing the torture of "the Boot" and then execution for his faith, the Puritans' and Covenanters' courage and conviction shines as bright as ever today.
In this collection of 30 brief biographies, Hannula brings these stories to life, both for young people who should grow up knowing their spiritual ancestors and the heroes of our faith, and for adults who need to make their acquaintance for the first time.
Because of the fierceness with which they were persecuted, many left Britain for America to worship God freely. If we are to truly understand ourselves, our theological heritage, and our current situation, we need to know the stories and legacy of these brave and faithful men and women.
The word that perhaps best characterizes the Puritans and Covenanters is faithfulness. Whether Edward Dering preaching boldly before a fuming Queen Elizabeth, Sandy Peden evading the king's men on horse, or Hugh Mackail undergoing the torture of "the Boot" and then execution for his faith, the Puritans' and Covenanters' courage and conviction shines as bright as ever today.
In this collection of 30 brief biographies, Hannula brings these stories to life, both for young people who should grow up knowing their spiritual ancestors and the heroes of our faith, and for adults who need to make their acquaintance for the first time.
Because of the fierceness with which they were persecuted, many left Britain for America to worship God freely. If we are to truly understand ourselves, our theological heritage, and our current situation, we need to know the stories and legacy of these brave and faithful men and women.
Audible Audio
First published October 14, 2014
20 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Richard M. Hannula
7 books18 followersMr. Richard Hannula received a B.A. in history from the University of Southern California and was selected for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Mr. Hannula holds a master's in education from the University of Washington.
He is the author of Our Northwest Heritage: A History of the Pacific Northwest from a Christian Perspective and Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History.
He serves as principal of Covenant High School (in Tacoma, WA) and also teaches history, math, and speech. Richard Hannula, his wife, and their five children reside in University Place, Washington.
He is the author of Our Northwest Heritage: A History of the Pacific Northwest from a Christian Perspective and Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History.
He serves as principal of Covenant High School (in Tacoma, WA) and also teaches history, math, and speech. Richard Hannula, his wife, and their five children reside in University Place, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 18, 2025
Hannula's biographical sketches are engaging, encouraging, and challenging. There are about thirty biographical sketches in this short book, so none of them are very long, but he does an outstanding job focusing on the key moments and decisions in their lives to give his readers a flavor for their lives and struggles to be faithful in the face of hostility, scorn, and suffering.
This is simply an outstanding work.
This is simply an outstanding work.
March 12, 2024
“Christ is matchless.”
Simple writing, yet heartbreaking and impelling true stories! Christ is worthy to live for and to die for.
Simple writing, yet heartbreaking and impelling true stories! Christ is worthy to live for and to die for.
January 1, 2023
Excellent.
February 19, 2024
Great stories of faithful people and their faithful God. Just needed a copyeditor. There were several cringey grammatical bloopers, such as "Unable to walk after the ordeal, guards carried him back to prison."
Narration was decent.
Narration was decent.
January 23, 2016
Exceptional and beautiful. Read as a devotional and every chapter altered my perspective about suffering, Christ's provision and true faithfulness.
February 23, 2025
Love these histories of solid believers who have come before us! Challenging and encouraging. Would read again.
February 21, 2023
This book has given me a greater appreciation for the heritage of precious saints we have in Christ’s body. It was a great joy to listen to the stories of these dear martyrs as they considered their sufferings nothing when compared to the riches of Christ for eternity.
Do yourself a favor and read or listen to this book. Our present troubles seem like nothing compared to the stories found here. Our Christian history is rich with brethren who, even in their death, point us to the Savior.
Do yourself a favor and read or listen to this book. Our present troubles seem like nothing compared to the stories found here. Our Christian history is rich with brethren who, even in their death, point us to the Savior.
April 16, 2023
This was such an encouraging book. It is enjoyable to get small biographies of many Puritans and Covenanters. I learned so much and after reading this book would like to read some of the writings mentioned by some of these men who risked their lives for Christ.
February 6, 2023
I listened to the audiobook via the Canon Press Plus app. I found it very informative and enjoyable. Perfect the listen to while I do chores. Very good.
April 11, 2023
Excellent book.
I have at last been introduced in a minor way to so many giants of the faith who loved my Lord, their Lord, The Lord of all, Jesus Christ.
From Covenanters to Puritans (These overlap), their stories were uplifting, inspiring and incredibly relevant to today’s Christians that inhabit the lands of Scotland and England.
It was intriguing to see the different positions many of these men held when it came to the authority of the King and civil magistrates, particularly when it infringed on the jurisdiction of the Ecclesia and biblical worship! I know which camp I would have fell in!
Praise be to God for the example of these men. These sketches were highly informative and uplifting.
So many men of valour in one book!
I did joke with my wife at one point, it seems that everyone of these men according to their peers was ‘truly the most godly and holy man’. How so many of these men could occupy this space at one time perplexes me…
John Bunyan, John Owen, which one?? Is there an objective answer??
I have at last been introduced in a minor way to so many giants of the faith who loved my Lord, their Lord, The Lord of all, Jesus Christ.
From Covenanters to Puritans (These overlap), their stories were uplifting, inspiring and incredibly relevant to today’s Christians that inhabit the lands of Scotland and England.
It was intriguing to see the different positions many of these men held when it came to the authority of the King and civil magistrates, particularly when it infringed on the jurisdiction of the Ecclesia and biblical worship! I know which camp I would have fell in!
Praise be to God for the example of these men. These sketches were highly informative and uplifting.
So many men of valour in one book!
I did joke with my wife at one point, it seems that everyone of these men according to their peers was ‘truly the most godly and holy man’. How so many of these men could occupy this space at one time perplexes me…
John Bunyan, John Owen, which one?? Is there an objective answer??
May 9, 2024
Listened to the audiobook which had superb narration.
This book made me want to investigate in much greater detail the times and lives of the Puritans, who were among the most outstanding Christians to have ever lived. We hear repeatedly of people who, with both eyes fixed on heaven, expended themselves furiously in doing all the possible earthly good available to them. Their dedication to the Lord and to his service practically makes one ask, am I truly a Christian at all! Such is the power of their determination to live each and every day for God. Their total and utter calm and beatitude often in the face of violent death vividly demonstrated “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”
O may thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor’s crown of gold,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
This book made me want to investigate in much greater detail the times and lives of the Puritans, who were among the most outstanding Christians to have ever lived. We hear repeatedly of people who, with both eyes fixed on heaven, expended themselves furiously in doing all the possible earthly good available to them. Their dedication to the Lord and to his service practically makes one ask, am I truly a Christian at all! Such is the power of their determination to live each and every day for God. Their total and utter calm and beatitude often in the face of violent death vividly demonstrated “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”
O may thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor’s crown of gold,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
March 16, 2024
Whets one’s appetite for reading the works of these British and Scottish men who served upstream in the kingdom of God. Their courage and faith in the face of horrid opposition instills in the reader an expectant hunger for the realities that drove these men to turn their worlds upside down.
December 27, 2022
Encouraging
February 15, 2023
I will likely be adding this book to my top 10 of all time. It is absolutely amazing the backbone these men and women had. Lord, please continue to raise up men and women like these!
December 13, 2023
This is one to read several times over!
March 15, 2023
Encouraging & Edifying. Spirited and rivatting stories of the Coventerers and Puritans. This book will change your heart.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews