Review: Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of
the Reformation
Erwin Lutzer
Baker Books
2016
This is a brief history of the Reformation and primarily the
history of the part Martin Luther played.
I can hear those yawns now, but wait a minute. This book is one that you will not want to
put down once you start it. Lutzer
freely admits the book was not his idea, but one that he was encouraged to
adopt. I now understand why this other
individual chose to engage him for this project. Lutzer’s writing style is easy to read and
his ability to condense the history of the Reformation period totally
amazing. I had to endure European
history in school and maybe you did, too.
This is such a departure from what we remember of that course. OK, so I like his narrative. The book also has some illustrations from the
period that give it more flavor.
Overall, it’s a good read.
Mostly.
The other reformers you might have heard of---Wycliffe, Hus,
Zwingli, Calvin, Knox, Manz, or Bolt get some mention too. Enough to get the idea. Probably more than that would have produced what
some call a tome. So OK, I’ll live with
that concession to brevity. Then comes
the last chapter which I wish had been left for another book at another
time. Is the Reformation Over? Is the chapter title. “Brothers and sisters, Luther’s protest is
over. Is yours?” opens the chapter.
(187).
What was an otherwise good read then turns to encourage the
reader to identify the threats of ecumenism, particularly ecumenism between the
Protestantism and Catholicism. Yes,
there are major issues that still divide the groups. And probably will for quite a while yet. “We have to rescue it [the Gospel] from false
religions that compete for the allegiance of men and women.” (200).
Can I recommend this book? A reserved yes for the majority
of the work. Just be aware that the last
chapter is coming.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a
review.
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