Heralds of the Reformation: Thirty Biographies of Sheer Grace

by Richard M. Hannula

The Reformation was an era with many examples of remarkable faithfulness, courage, and learning. However, few Christians today are familiar with their spiritual ancestors, the men who are responsible not only for much of our current understanding of the Bible and the Christian gospel, but also for the massive explosion of the Gospel all over the world today. If we want to continue to bear witness to the truth as faithfully as our fathers in the faith, we need to know their stories. Hannula's book includes thirty short, but profound stories of Reformation-era courage. They can easily be read alout to children or used by homeschoolers as part of their curriculum. Additionally, this book includes an overview of key events in the Reformation, a detailed Timeline from 1516 to 1598, seven short summaries of Reformation Basics, and comprehension questions and answers on all thirty biographies.

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

272 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

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

[Simona Sanduleac · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4th read edit* It's astonishing how entertaining this book is every time I read it. It has a comic-book-like style, never dull or tedious, and it shows clearly that the author is excited to tell us all these amazing stories in which God's grace led His people to bring His kingdom on earth.

Easy and fun to read.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much good information in this book. I really enjoyed it.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give more than five stars?

This is where you start when you want to learn about the reformation. Wonderful overview of the lives of 30 reformers/groups, with basics on the sticking points of reformed thought, and even some follow up questions for comprehension (yes, homeschool parents, you MUST have this on your shelves). And if the book itself wasn't wonderful enough, Hannula then gives a great list of additional resources and reading materials at the end.

Phenomenal. Just phenomenal.

[JAbrahamSullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book! I was very glad to be able to read it this year, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Not only does it include the most famous of Reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, but it includes many lesser-known Reformers, such as Olaf Petri and Fanino Fanini, who are equally valuable to learn about. Each short biography is easy to pick up and read in a few minutes, while still giving an excellent overview of the person's life. I highly recommend the book.

[Michael Troutman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve forgotten to include the other two times I listened to this book on my Goodreads, so this makes the third time I’ve gone through this wonderful read. The only problem I had with it, was that it repeats many facts multiple times. But apparently the intended audience is middle school/early high school. Several of the people discussed I hadn’t known of. I’m getting a hard copy to see how he uses original sources, because one of the interesting parts to me is how the Roman Catholics who persecuted Protestants are portrayed, in the things they said and did during the trials and executions. One of the things that I believe legitimizes the Reformation is that those who adhered to it were persecuted as Christ was, by an entrenched religious class, more concerned with their man made traditions and their status, rather than the truth. Much for my papist friends to reflect upon. It’s also an excellent refresher on the aspects of Protestant religion and thought that really matter. A good non-academic way to re center.

[Rusten · Rating 5 out of 5]

30 short Reformation biographies. I enjoyed reading them out loud to the kids and learned about quite of few folks I had never heard of like Girolamo Savonarola, Jacque Lefevre, Fanino Fanini, Thomas Bilney, John Bradford, George Wishart, and Walter Mill.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannula's books tend to be a bit repetitive since if he tells a story about X & Y, he'll tell it in both X's story and Y's story. And sometimes he'll tell it in an introductory section. But they're all good stories, so I can't really complain. Katherine Zell was the GOAT. Daaaaang that woman could woman!

[Jennifer Lokken · Rating 5 out of 5]

#BookReview #RationalRedheadReads
#Book: "#HaraldsOfTheReformationThirtyBiograghiesOfSheerGrace
By: #RichardMHannula @papamimihan
#Review:
This book was really really good, it is written to be read as a family or in family worship, it has not only church history but little Reformational Doctrines, as well as comprehensive questions.

I highly recommend it for families with children that range from 8 or older, because the price paid by these men and women can be hard for younger ones to understand, but it is so important that our children know the great price paid by many so that they could have the truth of God, and the salvation that comes from faith in Christ Jesus, and for us to be encouraged to stand equally strong not only on God's Word but to make the standard by which we live our lives.

My children as I read this book, affectionately came to call this book, "The crying book" because I would cry every time I read the price, the pain, suffering, torments, that these people paid so, I can have God's Word not only for myself, but so I can freely worship Him, without fear of such wicked torment, and it would crush me, as I look at current cowardice that fills the pulpits and pews of our Churches today, and it should crush you. If you are not crushed while reading this, it is because you do not know your God and His Word, learn the price paid for the faith you so easily cast aside, for social approval or worse yet, the fear of being seen as judgemental or not nice, know your God, and fear Him as God.

The Reformers taught the 5 Solas, which consists Sola Gratia(Grace Alone), Sola Fide(Faith Alone), Sola Christus(Christ Alone), Sola Deo Gloria(To the Glory of God Alone). God's grace gives those He foreknew and predestined a measure of faith, that is not just sufficient but effective for us to put in Christ Jesus, that faith that God gave us when He turned out hearts of stone to hearts of, justifies us to God, that justification gives us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for our sanctification, in which we give glory to God, our salvation is solely a work God.

They also eventually came to the T.U.L.I.P., which is an acronym for the following:
Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints.

This is why it is crucial to know God and His unchanging nature, because it gives you a security in your faith, once you understand that your salvation is a work of God and not by your human will and secure in the work of Christ and not in your performance.

Our faith is rooted in that work of Christ, and our future good works and obedience is fruit of that faith.

This is the faith that we can rest in.

I give this book a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I highly recommend it.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply fantastic flyby through reformation history. If you want your older children to learn about the reformers, this is a great place to start them! Reader be warned, you will likely leave this book with an insatiable desire to read more books about the several of these guys and gals!

[Lynette Karg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting intro to reformation figures, some of whom are lesser known. I found it helpful that they were divided according to where they were from.

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent introduction to the Reformation. It talks about main reformation figures in all the leading countries in Europe--and some of the countries that aren't leading. Some of the best were William Farel, Fanino Fanini, Olaf Petri, and Katherine Zell. 4.25 stars. I take it down because he weighted it largely on Presbyterians--no baptists. His writing also is not classic material. But overall this is a very good read-aloud and superlative selection for who he picked.

[Sean Kewley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannula's Heralds of the Reformation is a great primer into the history of the Reformation. Using storytelling-style writing, the accounts of the various reformers (most of which were martyrs) were interesting and informative. If needed, I can go back and reread a section on a specific Reformer if and when I would like to read their original works. Good read.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

These mini bios are told with passion and an eye to the godliness of the heralds. The basics of the Reformation are also covered.

Along with the expected names are many lesser known figures who richly deserve their inclusion (for example, Olevianus, Lefevre, Fanini, and Frith).

Great for anyone, but perfect for older kids.

Loved it.

[Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent coverage of the reformation and key players. It’s easier to hear a story of Luther or Calvin, but this book gave many other reformers to look to and learn from. Has a good and useful timeline in the beginning as well.

[Seth Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief biographies of 30 men from different nations who were faithful in the 1400-1500’s.

I read this to my sons one chapter per Saturday evening.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biographical work—as always—from Hannula.

[Richie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of many of the great reformers. The author lays it out in an easy to follow timeline which really helps piece things together. Very insightful and inspiring!

[Christopher Brehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for an overview of biographies of many important people influencing the reformation. This is great to read to children as well.

[AlegnaB †]

4.0

[Shannon Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook on the Canon Press + app. Highly recommend, very good and informative as well as entertaining, perfect to listen to while cleaning or driving.

[Keegan Gaudin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great overview of the reformation written in Hannula’s usual engaging style. An excellent resource for studying the reformation. It includes study questions for review as well.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

[Ebookwormy1]

Loved Hannula's other work, purchased this book immediately, review coming