Five English Reformers

Rating:
Summary: Essential reading for all Anglo-Catholics
Review: A previous reviewer, Potatohead, has said that s/he would stick with Fox(e). This may be a reasonable recommendation. However, J. C. Ryle helps us to put the persecution of the English reformers in a relatively modern context. Pumpkinhead that I am (as opposed to Potatohead), I would probably be better off with the new updated and expanded edition of Foxe's Book of Martyrs, because the archaic English has been rewritten by Harold J. Chadwick (ISBN 0-88270-672-1).

On the topic of the above-stated "modern context" of J. C. Ryle (circa 1880 - I wish Banner of Truth would put the original publication date), he often predicts a turning back by the Church of England to the ways of Rome. We, with the the luxury of hindsight, can see that to some extent this has happened, but far more damaging has been the disastrous assault of liberalism.

I agree with Ryle wholeheartedly, that the blood of the martyrs should never be forgotten.

Thoroughly enjoyable, but unfortunately only 4 stars as (1) I agree with Potatohead's criticisms on the over-use of Fox(e), and (2) There is no index!

Rating:
Summary: Essential reading for all Anglo-Catholics
Review: A previous reviewer, Potatohead, has said that s/he would stick with Fox(e). This may be a reasonable recommendation. However, J. C. Ryle helps us to put the persecution of the English reformers in a relatively modern context. Pumpkinhead that I am (as opposed to Potatohead), I would probably be better off with the new updated and expanded edition of Foxe's Book of Martyrs, because the archaic English has been rewritten by Harold J. Chadwick (ISBN 0-88270-672-1).

On the topic of the above-stated "modern context" of J. C. Ryle (circa 1880 - I wish Banner of Truth would put the original publication date), he often predicts a turning back by the Church of England to the ways of Rome. We, with the the luxury of hindsight, can see that to some extent this has happened, but far more damaging has been the disastrous assault of liberalism.

I agree with Ryle wholeheartedly, that the blood of the martyrs should never be forgotten.

Thoroughly enjoyable, but unfortunately only 4 stars as (1) I agree with Potatohead's criticisms on the over-use of Fox(e), and (2) There is no index!

Rating:
Summary: Five English Reformers
Review: Five English Reformers describes the lives of five men who were burnt at the stake while under the reign of Queen Mary the 1st or better known as "Bloody Mary ". They were, John Hooper, a Protestant bishop, Rowland Taylor, Rector of Hadleigh, Hugh Latimer a Protestant bishop, John Bradford, and Nicholas Ridley, another Protestant bishop. J.C.Ryle divides the book into six parts, the first describing why they were burnt, and the last five , a description of each of their lives. Ryle takes much of his material from John Foxe's Book of Martyrs to give an easy to read account of men who died for Christ. It shows the true colors of "Bloody Mary" under whose reign these men and 283 others including, fifty-five women and four children were burnt at the stake. I believe the chapters on Latimer and Ridley are the most touching of the book. I highly recommend this, and hope you will get as much out of it as I have. Another book worth reading is Fair Sunshine, by Jock Purves.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting read... but I'll stick with Foxe
Review: The first half of the first chapter of this book was very good. Ryle gives a brief overview of the lives and deaths of nine of the first martyrs under Queen Mary's reign. After this Ryle explains why these men were martyred... mostly it was due to their refusal to accept the false doctrine of transubstantiation (the belief that the communion bread and wine is the physical body and blood of Christ.) This part was interesting, though the author does go on a bit too long about it. The next five chapters are an in-depth look into the lives of five of the martyrs. It became very repetitious at times because I had already read a synopsis of their lives in chapter one. Plus many of the things were taken directly out of Foxe's Book of Martyrs. I finally sat this book down and just went straight to Foxe... There I found basically the same story with out all the annoying extra details.
I suppose this book would be good if you want to know every little date and thing in one of these men's lives... but for me just the basic info from Foxe was enough.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful history
Review: This is the first book I read after becoming a reformed Christian. The personal stories of these five martyrs sheds magnificent light on the atmosphere of the time. Contained within is also one of the best abbreviated histories (30 short pages!) of the Protestant Reformation. It is amazing to discover that a handful of humble men lead such a significant event in Christian history.

Another fine book similar to this is SEEING THE INVISIBLE by Faith Cook, published by Evangelical Press.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful history
Review: This is the first book I read after becoming a reformed Christian. The personal stories of these five martyrs sheds magnificent light on the atmosphere of the time. Contained within is also one of the best abbreviated histories (30 short pages!) of the Protestant Reformation. It is amazing to discover that a handful of humble men lead such a significant event in Christian history.

Another fine book similar to this is SEEING THE INVISIBLE by Faith Cook, published by Evangelical Press.