From the Dark to the Dawn: A Tale of Ancient Rome

By Alicia A. Willis

 

Review:

Short version: This book will change your life.

Long version: This book was one of the best I read! Written by a passionate historian and eloquent author, this book, in truth, impacted me beyond words.

The plot is not intricately complex, yet it is powerfully deep. Philip is a British captive, carried to Rome and sold to the troubled and brutal master, Marcus. However, Philip is soon changed by the gospel and his life is turned around. Yet persecution awaits...

 This book is spiritually deep. There are so many lessons and themes in it, I don't know where to start. Faith, perseverance, forgiveness, and the power of prayer are all in here, and more. This is a book I will read over and over again, and always learn something new.

The emotional drama of the book captivated me, and when I finished, I lived in a dream for days afterwards. You also, I am sure, will be richly blessed by the one-of-a-kind novel, From the Dark to the Dawn.

I recommend this book to all Christian young people and adults who are seeking a powerful, God-glorifying, historical novel. You will be richly encouraged, and left with a deep impression of what it means to serve God and deny everything for him.

I also recommend this to all unbelievers who are troubled and miserable with their estate, and are seeking a change. This book with give you the Answer.

Soli Deo Gloria,
The Book Adventurer

Apostate:

The Men who Destroyed the Christian West

 

Hello Readers,

I'm back after taking a short break from posting, partly because I've been working hard on a novel I hope to finish soon. I'll give more information about it on this blog shortly. But for now, I will give you all my review of one of the most interesting books on Christian History I have read yet, Apostate: The Men who Destroyed the Christian West. 

It is interesting because of (1) the author, (2) the topic, (3) the style, and (4) the message.

The Author

 

Kevin Swanson, speaker, radio host, pastor, and writer, he is the most persuasive, dynamic, and  most requested homeschooling advocate I know.  Host of the online talk show, Generations, he is an outspoken proponent of the Family-Integrated Churches (FIC), defender of Theonomy (in the person of R.J. Rushdoony), and recently, an opponent of patriarchy. Now he writes in the role of a Christian historian.

The Topic 

 

The men who destroyed the Christian West, who are they? Swanson's answer is a list of quite a number of authors, theologians, and philosophers. Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Darwin, Bentham, Dewey, Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Twain, Hemingway, and Lennon are but a few of the men Swanson exposes.

He shows how all these men, in their traitorous departure of the God of their fathers, have lead to the state of America it is today, and all the rampart evils the world contains. It is curious to read what this well-beloved men, really said and did.

The Style

 

Despite the solemn and sober topic, I admit I enjoyed Swanson's literacy style. Crisp, clear, and straightforward, there are no rabbit trails in this book. You can very well read it in one sitting. (However, I will point out that Swanson quotes Wikipedia frequently. That is taboo for any writer who wishes to be taken seriously.

The Message

Now here is where the rubber hits the road. Permeated throughout the whole work, and set forth at the end, Swanson presents a  postmillennial-based Reconstructionism. If you may be wondering what is that. Encyclopædia Britannica succinctly defines it as "fundamentalists in the United States," who advocate "the creation of a state and society based on strict conformity to biblical law." I will critique it extensively later under the Cons heading.

Pros 

•  Well-researched and clear
• A concern to expose the causes of the sins of today's society.
• A candid exploration of the classical literacy giants.
• Swanson's biblical and Reformed views (except his Reconstructionism and other beliefs).
• A hard view against compromise.

 Cons

This will be somewhat lengthier:

• Wrong view of History. Swanson shockingly declares the 'Christian West' of 800-1200 to be the ideal world in history. Shocking, because the Early Medieval was perhaps one of the worsts periods in 'civilization'. One, the corruption and tyranny of leaders was destroying society until the Reformation. Two, the evil Romish church which dominated that period was far from biblical. Why did the Puritans call the Pope the Antichrist? Thirdly, the rejection of the Bible which brought wicked ignorance in all classes. The Reformation was a blessing from God.

• Wrong view of Society.  The reason for the 'more rampant' sin of today is not surprising, but is to be expected. 1 Peter that "seducers will wax worse and worse'. I take the Bible to be infallible truth, not Swanson.

• Wrong Culprit. Was it is that corrupts men? Not outside forces, but the inside. Today's worst enemy is sin, the wicked flesh of the natural man. Thank God for grace. 

• Wrong Diagnosis. Swanson wishes a revival in the 'Christian West' (what about the Christian East. Christ is not restricted to one side of the globe.). He evens prays for a 'Christian nation', like he claims America once was. We need Christ, not a Christian nation. And to change society, we need to homeschool, and instituting the Law of God? I should say not. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and him crucified, can change men's hearts. Swanson never once says that, to his great shame. I would recommend my pastor's sermon on Ephesians 1:1-3, related to this topic, which can be heard here: castlerockbaptist.com/sermons

I would strongly urge all readers of this book to more closely examine Swanson's claims, and turn to the Word of God for truth.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

P.S. I am deeply indebted to R. S. Jameson to pointing out some of the deficiencies in Swanson's book.
Read his review here: www.amazon.com/reviews

Buy the book on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Apostate-The-Destroyed-Christian-West
  

Meet the Puritans

With A Guide to Modern Reprints

This is the Christian guide to building a excellent library. Period.

This is another collection of biography, this time of the 17th century Reformed Theologians. But not just their lives, but also their books. The authors, Dr Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson, have written out the definitive encyclopedia of the biographical and bibliographical information of the English, Scottish, American, and Dutch Puritans. This compendium details the Puritans' devotional, practical, and academic works, and that's all under one cover!

But some may say, what's so special about the Puritans? That's a question that will take more than a short book review to answer, but I will try to answer in a few sentences. The Puritan aligned themselves with the historic doctrines of the Reformation in the Calvinist tradition. The Puritans defined these doctrines in a few quaint outlines.

One was the Fives Solas; Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (Faith alone), Sola Gratia (Grace alone), Sola Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God alone). The Puritans saturated their teachings with these five doctrines (not to forget the Five Points of Calvinism, too).

The Puritans' love of the Scriptures, and their ultimate aim,being to glorify God, and abase man, commend their books to me, and I will continue to stock my bookcases with their volumes.

The Puritans were not perfect, as the authors of Meet the Puritans explains. Their teaching wasn't always orthodox, nor their lives always guileless. As a Baptist, I disagree strongly will some of their most beloved teaching, yet this does not persuade me to chuck their tomes away. Instead, it will may me strive to define my beliefs, and share it with others.

Now to finish my actual review on the book. I would recommend it to every Christian who wishes to find good books, and learn of the lives of stalwart men of the faith. History, theology, biographies, literature, portraits, quotes, and much more are all collected in over 800 pages in this marvelous feat of Christian writing.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

Buy the book from Amazon
Meet the Puritans: With a Guide to Modern Reprints by Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson

Bravest of the Brave

The Story of the Victoria Cross  

I like heroes. Especially warrior heroes.

And this book is full of them.

This collection of true accounts of bravery by the military historian John Glansfield, is aptly named Bravest of the Brave: The Story of the Victoria Cross, and it is my favorite book on soldiery exploits I have read as of yet.

The subtitle suggests a history of the medal itself, and although there is two chapters that explains its origin, and chronicles its development, the majority of the book is the stories of hundreds of soldiers and their bravery. Their duty, and sometimes sacrifice resulted in the honor of winning the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valor in Britain.

This book in both sobering and motivating (to a lad aspiring to do great feats of valor like myself, of course). Glansfeld's retelling of the achievements are detailed, electrifying, and sometimes gory, but no matter the deed done, I felt the soldier always won the Cross.

The cases are varied, from a midshipmen throwing off a bomb off his ship in the Crimean War, only to lose it on a train, to fathers and sons winning the Cross for individual acts of gallantry during the Indian Mutiny.

 What a book relating armies being massacred by Savage Zulus, and Brits in a mini-sub being trapped under a Japanese war-ship after attaching bombs to it during WWII? It's all here, and more, including warriors being refused the Cross for fighting in the wrong wars!

When you read this book, and learn of the rewards these men received one very important thing to remember is that even a medal, the ultimate recognition of doing your duty, is only a medal. As Christians, we should live and fight for Christ, never for self, and earthly rewards. We should act courageous and gallant, but for our King, and not man's applause.

I look up to men for their supreme acts of valor, but I look to Christ for His saving mercy towards me.

Soli Deo Gloria,

The Book Adventurer

Purchase the book on Amazon.
Bravest of the Brave: The Story of the Victoria Cross by John Glanfield