For Christ's Crown: Sketches of Puritans and Covenanters

by Richard M. Hannula

From the author of Trial and Stories from The word that perhaps best characterizes the Puritans and Covenanters is "faithfulness." Whether Edward Dering preaching boldly before a fuming Queen Elizabeth, or 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 thirty brief biographies (with seven illustrations), 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 of these brave and faithful men and women and the legacy they left.

Genres: History, Christian, Nonfiction, Church History, Biography, Audiobook, Childrens

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

Mr. 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.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Claudia Rivera Guevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Christ is matchless.”

Simple writing, yet heartbreaking and impelling true stories! Christ is worthy to live for and to die for.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional and beautiful. Read as a devotional and every chapter altered my perspective about suffering, Christ's provision and true faithfulness.

[Jewels Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these histories of solid believers who have come before us! Challenging and encouraging. Would read again.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Laura McMillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shannon Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jehian Tiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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??

[Ashley Stroud · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Reid Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Simon Esmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Logan Holdaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one to read several times over!

[rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging & Edifying. Spirited and rivatting stories of the Coventerers and Puritans. This book will change your heart.