©1999, Inheritance Publications, 186 pp. in paperback

Times of reformation are times of adventure. The status quo is challenged and changed. It’s this sense of the word “romance” that the author means. The reader will find historical accounts of courage, perseverance, and victory in these pages.

The writer begins by devoting two chapters to the meaning of the word Protestant. Although we often think the word means “one who protests”, she points out that the word actually means “witness for”. In the many examples she provides in these opening chapters, as well as the rest of the book, those exemplified were faithful to stand firmly for scriptural authority and salvation by faith alone in Christ’s finished work alone. She correctly observes that with time’s passage the focus is often on what one witnesses against rather than what one stands for.

Although this volume centers on faithful men and woman in the sixteenth century, Alcock lays the groundwork historically by explaining that protestors existed long before the era known as the Reformation. She provides a fascinating account of an Armenian host receiving a copy of the New Testament as a gift from his guest. His faithful witness resulted in his martyrdom. Even in this event, God worked in a sovereign manner to raise up another witness to continue the martyr’s work.

The writer is well-acquainted with history and interweaves many accounts (little-known in our generation) of men and women who were willing to give up possessions, family and even their own lives rather than deny scripture’s authority or salvation by grace alone.

Chapters are devoted to John Hus of Bohemia as well as the heroic stand of the Dutch against the Catholic army. In the midst of suffering and siege, God graciously honored the sincere faith of these saved sinners and strengthened and expanded the Protestant witness throughout western Europe.

Alcock has penned this work in a very readable format. It can be read with profit by adults and older youth. The reader is reminded of the importance of the truth to these Protestants and the high price they were willing to pay rather than deny these truths. Also, readers will see that Protestants were emotional. They were passionate regarding foundational scriptural teaching. Many times they feared their day of martyrdom particularly wandering if they would be faithful in the midst of the pain. They rejoiced in being able to bear witness for their Savior. They grieved the loss of martyred friends. I was reminded that reformational truth is far more than just knowledge. It affects our whole being and is to be lived out in daily life.

Throughout the book the writer centers on how God built his church through men and women from all strata of society. This history is a good reminder that God continues to build His church in our generation and our need to be faithful to Him in the midst of cultural pressures that call us in other directions.

Review ©2008 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia