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God's Generals: The Roaring Reformers (Spiritual Biographies from the Reformation, Including Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wycliffe, John Hus, John Knox, and George Fox)
The Victorious Generals & Their Powerful Secrets Revealed
In an atmosphere of oppression and darkness, the reformers came with revelation from God and translations of the Bible into common language. Roberts Liardon will introduce you to six men who fought to reintroduce the beliefs and principles of the early church.
As you read about these men who sacrificed everything in their fight for God, and view the many revealing photos, you will appreciate the freedom you have to worship, find encouragement for your spiritual battles, and be motivated to find biblical truth for your own life.
In an atmosphere of oppression and darkness, the reformers came with revelation from God and translations of the Bible into common language. Roberts Liardon will introduce you to six men who fought to reintroduce the beliefs and principles of the early church.
As you read about these men who sacrificed everything in their fight for God, and view the many revealing photos, you will appreciate the freedom you have to worship, find encouragement for your spiritual battles, and be motivated to find biblical truth for your own life.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2003
126 people are currently reading
2042 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 21, 2009
Another amazing installment. This one is all about the reformers who brought the church out of the spiritual dark ages. I knew that things got dark during Roman Catholicism, but I did not realize how deceived the people were. I was amazed with each new chapter and left the book feeling inspired and encouraged by the truth of God. We are now in a generation that is ready for a new reformation!
June 24, 2021
5 stars! I literally couldn’t put this book down and wanted to do nothing but read it and was sad when it ended. How few books really make us feel this way!
Having read the original “Gods Generals” book I was stoked to find out that Roberts Liardon has written several sequels with an emphasis on the type of ministry each had. (ie/ Reformers, Missionaries, Evangelists..)
The Reformers was fascinating to me. I learned so much about each of the men covered in it, along with the time periods they lived in, and false doctrines and battles each faced. Their bravery in going up against the Catholic Church and it’s lies was inspiring. The way they spoke and thought really grabbed me. Below is a summary of each man and quotes that I found profound.
John Wycliffe- translated the Bible from Latin to common English. He wrote several scathing papers against Catholic doctrines such as Confessionals- Absolution- Indulgences- and the Eucharist.
John Hus- a teachable peasant.
“From the earliest time of my studies I have set up for myself the rule that whenever I discern a sounder opinion in any matter whatsoever, I gladly and humbly abandon the earlier one. For I know that those things I have learned are but the least in comparison with what I do not know.”
“We, today’s shepherds, do not know our sheep, except those which have wool more abundantly.”
“Truth conquers all.” (A statement that he ended each sermon with)
Martin Luther- German monk converted to God in a thunderstorm. He endured deep depression and despair trying to earn his works to get into heaven prior to his revelation which came from reading the Bible. He is famous for nailing his 95 thesis to the Wittenburg Church. Subsequently he condemned the Pope and Cardinals who demanded he recant.
Roberts Liardon said of him....”Turning Luther loose with the Bible was the Catholic Church’s greatest mistake. Know this: it’s the ones who read the Bible that cause the trouble for dead religion. Why? Religion works in the realm of ignorance and in the realm of the soul. It bases it’s facts on thoughts, legends, and what denominations dream up instead of what the actual Scriptures state.”
Quote from Luther: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.”
John Knox- Scottish reformer who took on Bloody Mary and preached so boldly that several Catholic Churches were dismantled. His movement led to a civil war between Scotland and Britain and France. His epitaph read: “Here lies one who neither flattered nor feared any flesh.”
Also covered are John Calvin, the teaching apostle who organized the church and George Fox, founder of the Quakers.
“The Spirit of Reformation is the Spirit of Truth.” Roberts Liardon.
Having read the original “Gods Generals” book I was stoked to find out that Roberts Liardon has written several sequels with an emphasis on the type of ministry each had. (ie/ Reformers, Missionaries, Evangelists..)
The Reformers was fascinating to me. I learned so much about each of the men covered in it, along with the time periods they lived in, and false doctrines and battles each faced. Their bravery in going up against the Catholic Church and it’s lies was inspiring. The way they spoke and thought really grabbed me. Below is a summary of each man and quotes that I found profound.
John Wycliffe- translated the Bible from Latin to common English. He wrote several scathing papers against Catholic doctrines such as Confessionals- Absolution- Indulgences- and the Eucharist.
John Hus- a teachable peasant.
“From the earliest time of my studies I have set up for myself the rule that whenever I discern a sounder opinion in any matter whatsoever, I gladly and humbly abandon the earlier one. For I know that those things I have learned are but the least in comparison with what I do not know.”
“We, today’s shepherds, do not know our sheep, except those which have wool more abundantly.”
“Truth conquers all.” (A statement that he ended each sermon with)
Martin Luther- German monk converted to God in a thunderstorm. He endured deep depression and despair trying to earn his works to get into heaven prior to his revelation which came from reading the Bible. He is famous for nailing his 95 thesis to the Wittenburg Church. Subsequently he condemned the Pope and Cardinals who demanded he recant.
Roberts Liardon said of him....”Turning Luther loose with the Bible was the Catholic Church’s greatest mistake. Know this: it’s the ones who read the Bible that cause the trouble for dead religion. Why? Religion works in the realm of ignorance and in the realm of the soul. It bases it’s facts on thoughts, legends, and what denominations dream up instead of what the actual Scriptures state.”
Quote from Luther: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.”
John Knox- Scottish reformer who took on Bloody Mary and preached so boldly that several Catholic Churches were dismantled. His movement led to a civil war between Scotland and Britain and France. His epitaph read: “Here lies one who neither flattered nor feared any flesh.”
Also covered are John Calvin, the teaching apostle who organized the church and George Fox, founder of the Quakers.
“The Spirit of Reformation is the Spirit of Truth.” Roberts Liardon.
April 10, 2015
I loved learning about those who made such a huge impact on the church, really bringing it to where it is today through the work of God in and through them.
July 30, 2020
Really insightful - particularly enjoyed reading about John Knox. Great overview of significant Christian heroes.
January 30, 2023
Volume two of God's Generals leaves the realm of history and enters hagiography. Liardon was more reasonably critical in his first volume than in this one. He relates, mostly factually, the lives of some of the "reformers." Yes, they were products of their culture and history; it is crucial to understand that as we explore their lives. However, right is right, and the behavior of many of these reformers was hateful, violent, vindictive, and murderous. Liardon seems incapable of evaluating what they did well and where they went wrong. He insists on excusing basic sinful actions as somehow understandable. It is situational ethics at its worst on some pages.
Further, Liardon gives overwhelming approval to murderous action. One of the foundational problems in Protestantism is its penchant for discarding those with differing opinions as heretical and dividing into a new denominational ghetto to protect our so-called doctrinal purity. Until we Protestants must understand that orthodoxy is only one crucial leg of the stool we sit on, without orthopraxy and orthocardia, the seat will not support us.
Further, Liardon gives overwhelming approval to murderous action. One of the foundational problems in Protestantism is its penchant for discarding those with differing opinions as heretical and dividing into a new denominational ghetto to protect our so-called doctrinal purity. Until we Protestants must understand that orthodoxy is only one crucial leg of the stool we sit on, without orthopraxy and orthocardia, the seat will not support us.
May 12, 2022
Otro excelente libro de Roberts Liardon, leí el primer libro y me gustó bastante que decidí leer este segundo volumen con nuevos personajes y grandes generales de Dios.
Estos libros han hecho que me interese por leer más sobre las biografías de grandes personajes de la historia cristiana. Sus aportaciones, reformas y vidas son de gran importancia para la iglesia ya que sirven de inspiración para seguir adelante en el camino del evangelio y seguir trabajando para que este se siga expandiendo.
En este libro uno puede aprender mucho sobre los grandes reformadores de la iglesia cristiana y conocer que uno también puede hacer algo en pro del evangelio.
Recomiendo este libro a todos aquellos que deseen conocer más sobre la historia de la iglesia cristiana y sobre su influencia en la sociedad antigua y actual.
Se que existe más volúmenes de esta serie de los generales de Dios, y sin duda voy a leerlos en un futuro cercano.
Estos libros han hecho que me interese por leer más sobre las biografías de grandes personajes de la historia cristiana. Sus aportaciones, reformas y vidas son de gran importancia para la iglesia ya que sirven de inspiración para seguir adelante en el camino del evangelio y seguir trabajando para que este se siga expandiendo.
En este libro uno puede aprender mucho sobre los grandes reformadores de la iglesia cristiana y conocer que uno también puede hacer algo en pro del evangelio.
Recomiendo este libro a todos aquellos que deseen conocer más sobre la historia de la iglesia cristiana y sobre su influencia en la sociedad antigua y actual.
Se que existe más volúmenes de esta serie de los generales de Dios, y sin duda voy a leerlos en un futuro cercano.
December 7, 2019
Me encantó
June 20, 2021
Pretty good
December 29, 2021
A good overview of differing Church reformers
November 21, 2022
"El día que usted se sienta satisfecho es el día en que comienza su vida religiosa"
February 20, 2023
Es un bueno libro! Me gustó la historia de los Reformadores y es j Teresa te saber le contexto y nuestra historia
October 21, 2024
A great biography of 6 heroes who God used to change the face of religion and Christianity in their day.
Excellent writing and storytelling.
Excellent writing and storytelling.
November 4, 2024
It’s so good, I read it every year without fail😭
November 5, 2024
Es increíble como estos hombres descritos en las páginas de este libro tuvieron un celo tal por Dios y su palabra hoy la podamos ver los frutos de su amor por el evangelio y su propagación
July 8, 2015
I read this one when I was in my early 20s, part of my fundamentalist Jihadi-for-Jesus phase. On a factual level it's pretty damn good: the lives and tribulations of Jan Hus, John Wycliffe and many others leading up to the emergence of Martin Luther, the man who made the Protestant revolution stick. It's informative, insightful and full of details that illustrate modern Protestant philosophy's origins - because as the man said, the past ain't over.
On the downside, though I couldn't recognise it at the time because I was so completely steeped in pleasure-hating Protestant moralism myself, there are a few passages where Liardon has to step in and excuse the behaviour of his protagonists. Their attitudes might seem objectionable, he admits, "but that's because they saw sin, sin everywhere" - but that's okay because they were right. Ten years down the road I like to think I've grown up a little, and that points me to a different conclusion: they were just awful, awful people, harsh, judgmental, unsparingly critical, dry and joyless as a pile of old bones.
So, if you want a primer on the lives of the founders of Protestantism, it's a pretty decent book and much more readable than a Wikipedia article. Just don't forget it's also a love letter to some awful, awful people by their awful, awful descendants, or you might end up mistaking them for role models.
On the downside, though I couldn't recognise it at the time because I was so completely steeped in pleasure-hating Protestant moralism myself, there are a few passages where Liardon has to step in and excuse the behaviour of his protagonists. Their attitudes might seem objectionable, he admits, "but that's because they saw sin, sin everywhere" - but that's okay because they were right. Ten years down the road I like to think I've grown up a little, and that points me to a different conclusion: they were just awful, awful people, harsh, judgmental, unsparingly critical, dry and joyless as a pile of old bones.
So, if you want a primer on the lives of the founders of Protestantism, it's a pretty decent book and much more readable than a Wikipedia article. Just don't forget it's also a love letter to some awful, awful people by their awful, awful descendants, or you might end up mistaking them for role models.
May 2, 2024
I have enjoyed every book in the God's Generals series. Liardon does a great job describing the histories & actions of men & women of God throughout history. I appreciate that none of these people are presented as saints or perfect, but that the author does his best to point out where they went wrong so that others can learn from their stories. In this volume, he covers the reformation and the people who fought to make Gods Word accessible to everyone.
August 8, 2014
This book is by far my favorite in the Gods Generals series. I spent many years in the Lutheran church and was amazed to read the section on Martin Luther, his conversion, and work building the church. Another favorite section of mine was about John Calvin. The work of the church, especially of taking care of the sick and poor in his time was amazing.
September 7, 2009
Love this book!
September 16, 2014
The Reformation comes alive in this book by Roberts Liardon reads more like an adventure novel than an history book great life lessons are included in this second volume as well
Read
July 24, 2015nice
April 17, 2016
The spirit of reformation, birthed by the Holy Spirit of God, must be cried for and grasped. It then must be carried to every area of society so that room can be made for heaven's restoration.
July 2, 2018
Recommend read. For everyone.
November 28, 2015
Inspiring
Read
July 14, 2016GREAT
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews