Description
Book Synopsis3 BC–AD 476
During the Middle Ages the church laboured to build a community of faith. Benedict, Columba, and Francis organized communities in which the Gospel could be preached. Theodulf, Anselm, and Bernard of Clairvaux answered the call to reform that community and theology. And when the church’s leaders drifted from the authority of Scripture, a first wave of reformers in Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe, and John Hus arose to call God’s people back to the grace of God.
This was a Church that sought to reign, love and conquest, a Church that wanted to secure freedom, and proclaim the gospel. When that Church fell into corruption it undertook its own reform. Which one of these is the medieval Church? They all are! And in that we can find hope in the God Who loves His Church as we seek to live in His name.
The Risen Hope series is a narrative–driven history of the Church. Introducing key people and events from the last two thousand years, readers will be captivated by the fascinating stories and engaging writing style. Risen Hope replaces the out–of–print History Lives series.
Trade ReviewAn ideal springboard to propel readers into further study of a sadly neglected period in church history.
-- Nick Needham (Lecturer in Church History, Highland Theological College, Dingwall, Scotland)
Luke Davis has given the reader a ringside seat to the parade of people who have made a difference in the history of the church. Sorting out heresies within and persecutions without, the church called for courageous men and women who stood for the truth. Those are the people you will find in the pages of this book. So sit back and enjoy, and learn how God used his people to care for and guard his church.
-- Linda Finlayson (Author of ‘God’s Timeline’ and ‘God’s Bible Timeline’)
With sparkling prose, backed by solid research, Luke Davis makes church history come alive for the young reader (and readers of all ages!). … offers engaging historical fiction but also provides timelines, factual summaries of significant figures and events, and insightful reflection.
-- Ben Wagner (Rector, Anglican Church of the Resurrection, Chesterfield, Missouri)
Luke Davis selects pivotal moments from history, to which he applies an imagination like that of a Hollywood filmmaker. The past jumps into razor–sharp focus, as the reader sees, hears, and feels these episodes happening once again.
-- Michael J. McClymond (Professor of Modern Christianity, Department of Theological Studies, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri)
Luke Davis has done an impressive job of telling the history of medieval Christianity for young adults through a skilful use of story and traditional narrative. Highly recommended!
-- Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)
… a unique insight into the controversies of the church and how faithful people stood firm in their faith and held the gospel high.
-- Alistair Chalmers (Assistant Pastor of Bruntsfield Evangelical Church, Edinburgh)
