Many church-going people today think that nothing really worth knowing happened in the Christian world between St. Paul's day and Billy Graham's. Few churches have thought it needful that every Christian should know the spiritual history which lies behind our day. And here lies no small part of the spiritual weakness and superficiality of much of religion today.
Church history ought to provide a standard of comparison, it ought to raise our vision of God, and it ought to show us countless examples what faithfulness to Christ and His Word truly mean.
Sketches from Church History
by S. M. Houghton
Sidney M. Houghton brings to this volume the interest of 60 years work in this field. The scope of this book is obviously limited, but is scholarly, interesting, with many sketches of the times and men who were part of church history. This is a book that both young and old can read and will most likely excite many into further interest in church history.
This volume by Houghton can be borrowed from the St. Thomas Evangelical Library. Please call (519) 633-8282 or e-mail the librarian, John Van Eyk, at elibrary@execulink.com for more information on this work or any other book you may be interested in.
Fair Sunshine
by Jock Purves
Fair Sunshine is the account of thirteen men and women put to death for the sake of Christ in 17th-century Scotland. But these tru stories tell much more than the suffering of thirteen individuals - they show us the tremendous upheavels and sufferings experienced by the Scottish Covenanters from 1660 to 1688, and their unfailing belief in Christ during times of persecution.
One central theme of Fair Sunshine is the amazing grace of God: grace given to His people when called into the darkest of trials, and grace to submit cheerfully to his mysterious will. Each Covenanter viewed his affliction as an opportunity to glorify Christ, and each one used that right to the very end. As one Covenanter said, "Brother, die well, it is the last act of faith you will ever be able to do." As they faced the executioner, their final words - full of faith and hope - are timeless legacies to the people of God.
Many will admire the courage of these ordinary servants of Jesus Christ. Reading Fair Sunshine will excite great sympahty as you see families torn apart and children watching their parents' suffering for righteousness' sake - or older parents grieving at the deaths of their believing children. All will admire the high price paid to maintain purity of religion and freedom to worship according to conscience.
The martyrs' examples cause us to consider how we would respond to unrighteous oposition; would we exhibit the same forgiving spirit and use the occasion to preach Christ crucified for undeserving sinners? Do we know what it is to "content earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3)? As one old writer observes, would the martyrs commend us for maintaining "that dear-bought testimony, that they handed down to us by their fightings, wrestlings, prayers, tears, and blood"? To appreciate what Christianity is worth, we must know the cost.
... Jock Purves' style is that of an artist painting portaits for us - his primary aim being to capture each martyr's testimony for Christ as he or she endured taintings, torture, and death for His sake. Some of the finest confessions of faith ever uttered by Christ's followers are contained in these portraits - words that will make us pray for similar grace to make "the good confession" when called to undergo any trial of our faith.
This volume by Purves can be borrowed from the St. Thomas Evangelical Library. Please call (519) 633-8282 or e-mail the librarian, John Van Eyk, at elibrary@execulink.com for more information on this work or any other book you may be interested in.
