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The Reformers: Biographical Sketches of Twelve of the Greatest Men in the History of the Church
The Reformation was a movement of God which was designed to bring the Church back to a biblical understanding of the Gospel of grace. As with all important history, God used men in ways that can only be seen and understood as His divine movements of love toward us. He did not leave us without witness of His existence and mercy to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. This book shows us how God used certain men and times for His glory and our benefit. The best part is that He is able and willing to move through us as well in this day for His glory and our benefit!
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 20, 2021
Ranging from the fourteenth century to the twentieth century, this short set of biographies gives details of significant Protestant figures from John Wycliffe to Martyn Lloyd Jones.
The book does well to condense so many stories into a relatively convenient short summary of 118 pages. However, I thought its content and tone were, at times, disappointing.
We hear that some people thought that the pope was God (Kindle 13%) and that he was sinless (18%). Really? Did people really believe that, or is the book just repeating contemporary polemics from former centuries? The book’s absence of footnotes makes it impossible for readers to check claims like that.
The authors also seem keen to show agreement between reformers, an agreement which is not always historically accurate. For example Bullinger is praised for his ‘godly ecumenism’ across Protestant denominations (47%). Yet he had serious theological disagreements with Martin Luther which are not explained.
Later we hear that George Whitefield disagreed with the Wesleys on the drawing of lots (66%). But we’re not told that they disagreed on the far more serious theological issue of Predestination (and Arminianism), which became a fundamental touchstone issue for Reformed theology.
I thought that the tone of the book was unnecessarily polemical, confrontational and potentially offensive in places. For example, Catholics are rejected as a ‘Pompous Goliath’ (22%). Modern Emergent and New Perspective theologies are rejected as ‘pestiferous’ (71%).
Furthermore, bibles containing the apocrypha are described as being ‘infected’ (72%). It is worth remembering that the first protestant bibles happily included the apocrypha and to this day many Protestant funerals use quotes from the Apocrypha. So why describe the apocrypha as ‘infecting’ a bible?
Overall I didn’t enjoy the book and became steadily less comfortable with the book's tone.
The book does well to condense so many stories into a relatively convenient short summary of 118 pages. However, I thought its content and tone were, at times, disappointing.
We hear that some people thought that the pope was God (Kindle 13%) and that he was sinless (18%). Really? Did people really believe that, or is the book just repeating contemporary polemics from former centuries? The book’s absence of footnotes makes it impossible for readers to check claims like that.
The authors also seem keen to show agreement between reformers, an agreement which is not always historically accurate. For example Bullinger is praised for his ‘godly ecumenism’ across Protestant denominations (47%). Yet he had serious theological disagreements with Martin Luther which are not explained.
Later we hear that George Whitefield disagreed with the Wesleys on the drawing of lots (66%). But we’re not told that they disagreed on the far more serious theological issue of Predestination (and Arminianism), which became a fundamental touchstone issue for Reformed theology.
I thought that the tone of the book was unnecessarily polemical, confrontational and potentially offensive in places. For example, Catholics are rejected as a ‘Pompous Goliath’ (22%). Modern Emergent and New Perspective theologies are rejected as ‘pestiferous’ (71%).
Furthermore, bibles containing the apocrypha are described as being ‘infected’ (72%). It is worth remembering that the first protestant bibles happily included the apocrypha and to this day many Protestant funerals use quotes from the Apocrypha. So why describe the apocrypha as ‘infecting’ a bible?
Overall I didn’t enjoy the book and became steadily less comfortable with the book's tone.
June 18, 2019
More an Apology than a Biography
When the Byline states that these are sketches of the Greatest perhaps one should pause to consider the term. If we were to read these in a vacuum we might assume these men lived without sin as a form of super Christians. Yet this work does not exist in the absence of others and as a result comes across as disingenuous at best. In reality this work strives to defend the positives of each man's life and work without demonstrating who each man was. The absence of any negative struggles within the lives of these examples fail to truly sketch the lives of these men and greatly limits the benefit of this book to the reader.
When the Byline states that these are sketches of the Greatest perhaps one should pause to consider the term. If we were to read these in a vacuum we might assume these men lived without sin as a form of super Christians. Yet this work does not exist in the absence of others and as a result comes across as disingenuous at best. In reality this work strives to defend the positives of each man's life and work without demonstrating who each man was. The absence of any negative struggles within the lives of these examples fail to truly sketch the lives of these men and greatly limits the benefit of this book to the reader.
January 19, 2023
Great read for those trying to get an introduction into the lives and work of Protestant reformers. I will say that the author is rather biased in his rejection of Catholic Doctrines almost vilifying some of the traditions and histories of the Roman Catholic Church. While you may or may not disagree with his phrasing, just be aware that his comments are rather strong.
Overall, I recommend the book!
Overall, I recommend the book!
May 11, 2019
Great to be Aware of these men
I know very little of church history and this is very informative to me in regards to these men. I was thoroughly encouraged and blessed by reading how about their lives and their differences. The reason I chose for it's because how little I knew about these guys. And how well it was written for my understanding.
I know very little of church history and this is very informative to me in regards to these men. I was thoroughly encouraged and blessed by reading how about their lives and their differences. The reason I chose for it's because how little I knew about these guys. And how well it was written for my understanding.
April 30, 2019
The Gospel Survives to This Day
An easy to understand guided tour of the path of the gospel through dedicated men. Brings us up to date with the same gospel preached by faithful students of the gospel and it power to change lives.
An easy to understand guided tour of the path of the gospel through dedicated men. Brings us up to date with the same gospel preached by faithful students of the gospel and it power to change lives.
May 31, 2019
This book seemed disjointed since there were so many authors--and there were a number of typos distracting me--but overall it was a worthwhile little read about some of the key figures during and flowing out of the Reformation.
April 17, 2021
Remembering our Heritage
For anyone wanting to be introduced to our faith heritage these sketches are enlightening reminders of the price paid. Well written summaries that stir the heart and birth gratitude.
For anyone wanting to be introduced to our faith heritage these sketches are enlightening reminders of the price paid. Well written summaries that stir the heart and birth gratitude.
August 8, 2022
Quick and to the point. The final subjects were pretty fast, but it was worth the read.
July 24, 2023
Too much of the writers opinion.
Needed more facts.
Needed more facts.
August 25, 2022
Extremely informative and interesting church history!
March 1, 2022
Excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews