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Book Reviews

John Newton, Christian Biographies for Young Readers, Simonetta Carr. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2018. Hardcover. 64 pages. $18.00.

Julia Gonzaga, Christian Biographies for Young Readers, Simonetta Carr. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2018. Hardcover. 64 pages. $18.00.

Mrs. Carr is providing a marvelous series of volumes entitled Christian Biographies for Young Readers. Although they are written for ages seven to twelve, they can be used by believers of any age because at any age we find that believers sometimes have precious little knowledge of God’s saints who have been used by God but have gone before them.

The volume on John Newton is about the man who wrote the familiar hymn, “Amazing Grace.” (Did you know that the hymn tune we use was not the tune originally used?) Newton was brought up in the church and yet became a very vile man—until God worked in his heart and used him greatly.

While we may have heard of Newton, Julia Gonzaga (1513–1566) may not be as well-known today. She was a well-known woman in what we now know as Italy. By God’s grace she was transformed to a believer. Her story is amazing because in every way she had to stand in opposition to Rome and the popes who then ruled. As we read this volume, we gain an insight into the Reformation as it developed in Italy.

The author, a member of Christ United Reformed Church of Santee, California, says that her pastor. Rev. Michael Brown (now a missionary in Italy), encouraged her to write this volume so that our children would see how long it took and the difficulties involved for the Reformation to come to Italy.

These and other volumes in this series are helpful so our youth will learn of those whom God has used, and further, learn how God has worked to his glory in those whom he has called. They are attractive and full of good pictures.

Highly recommended.

     

How Can I Have Peace in Life’s Storms? Cultivating Biblical Godliness, Brian Vos. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2019. 25 pages. $3.00.

Reformation Heritage Books has a booklet series called Cultivating Biblical Godliness. In this series there are many practical booklets, among which this title appears. The Rev. Brian Vos is and has been for many years the pastor of the Trinity United Reformed Church in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. He is known for his preaching and his careful exegetical work.

Vos writes about the many dark and troublesome experiences that God’s children meet in their earthly pilgrimage. He does not focus, however, on how we can feel better, but rather on listening to God’s Word and on the faith that takes us through. Trials come, but we must not be afraid. Instead, we must trust in the Lord and be at peace in our Lord.

Perhaps you are going through a dark time, or know someone who is.

Perhaps you are a pastor or an elder. Here is a booklet that you can give to that troubled soul. In any case, the reading of this short and helpful publication will be a blessing to all who take it up and read.

Highly recommended.

The History of Protestantism, J. A. Wylie. Neerlandia, Alberta, Canada: Inheritance Publications, 2018. 3 volumes, 1898 pages, including index. Hardcover. $124.90.

Rev. J. A. Wylie’s The History of Protestantism  was previously published in 1874–1877. These three volumes took many hours of enjoyable reading. Wylie (1808–1898), a minister in the Free Church of Scotland, endeavored to give a history of Protestantism, and he succeeded.

Being of the mind that Protestantism was not a new idea in 1517, Wylie shows that the seeds already existed in the 1400s. He then deals with Wycliffe, whom he says was the first real reformer. Then he turns to John Huss. After this he opens up the development of the Reformation in a chronological manner. In twenty-four books (the way he develops sections) he exposes the waxing, waning, and waxing again of this movement.

It was Herodotus, the Greek historian, who wrote history by means of telling historical events, and Wylie follows his example. For some who do not like history, these books are a breath of fresh air. The stories behind events are on these pages. Someone said to be careful of Wylie’s facts; the editor-publisher notes in footnotes offer some corrections to the Dutch Reformation account. Readers will be interested in the development of the Reformation in eastern Europe—an area we do not often know much about in church history.

Each volume is filled to overflowing with pictures.

There are only two negative comments, and neither of them can be helped. First, Protestantism is still around even though the history ends in the 1600s. Second, the advertised price is hefty. Nevertheless, this is a worthwhile investment, one which our youth and extended families will find beneficial.

Rev. Jerome Julien is a retired minister in the URCNA living in Hudsonville, MI, and serves on the board of Reformed Fellowship. He and his wife, Reita, are members of Walker URC in Grand Rapids, MI.