(short)
Book Review: A book that may be of
some interest....
(Review by Peter Sanlon)
The Unquenchable Flame:
Discovering the Heart of the Reformation
Michael Reeves. The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation.
B&H Publishing, 2010. 191 pages.
* Personal Note-one of the best written books I've read
"This book is the best concise introduction to the Reformation for students and laypeople who are new to the issues. Reeves portrays the spirit of the Reformation with grittiness, verve, and humour.
Six chapters cover the key components of Reformation history: the context (amusingly titled "Going
Medieval on Religion"), Luther, Zwingli and the Radicals, Calvin, England, and the Puritans. A final chapter takes the issues further by considering the strengths and weaknesses of proposals by Mark Noll, who claims that the Reformation disputes are settled.
The book aims to be clear, readable, and accessible, and it makes intriguing theological and historical connections. For example, it compares Erasmian views of doctrine to Luther's approach (pp. 54-55). Reeves later uses Erasmus to make a penetrating observation about the death cries of Servetus, who denied the deity of Jesus and so shouted out in death, "Oh Jesus, son of eternal God, have pity on me." Reeves notes, "Had he been prepared to cry, 'Oh Jesus, eternal Son of God,' he would never have been burned. The two confessions are poles apart; but the fact that today we struggle to see that only displays how totally the doctrine-light spirit of Erasmus has conquered" (p.107).
Six chapters cover the key components of Reformation history: the context (amusingly titled "Going
The book aims to be clear, readable, and accessible, and it makes intriguing theological and historical connections. For example, it compares Erasmian views of doctrine to Luther's approach (pp. 54-55). Reeves later uses Erasmus to make a penetrating observation about the death cries of Servetus, who denied the deity of Jesus and so shouted out in death, "Oh Jesus, son of eternal God, have pity on me." Reeves notes, "Had he been prepared to cry, 'Oh Jesus, eternal Son of God,' he would never have been burned. The two confessions are poles apart; but the fact that today we struggle to see that only displays how totally the doctrine-light spirit of Erasmus has conquered" (p.107).
The final chapter examines Mark Noll's case that evangelicals and Roman Catholics are now in essential agreement over key doctrinal issues and that the Reformation is over. Reeves does an excellent job of showing the flaws in this argument, utilising the Roman Catholic catechism, the Council of Trent, and the music of Bach to make his point.
The book does not leave the Reformation as a subject for mere scholarly investigation. It was a doctrinal dispute over the most important issues facing humans. Reeves challenges us to reflect on how far we evangelicals have drifted from Reformation concerns; in many ways the spirit of Erasmus lives on: "Because he was unwilling to engage with deeper, doctrinal issues, he could never bring about more than cosmetic changes. . . . As long as doctrine is ignored, we must remain captives of the ruling system or the spirit of the age, whatever that may be" (p.182)."
The book does not leave the Reformation as a subject for mere scholarly investigation. It was a doctrinal dispute over the most important issues facing humans. Reeves challenges us to reflect on how far we evangelicals have drifted from Reformation concerns; in many ways the spirit of Erasmus lives on: "Because he was unwilling to engage with deeper, doctrinal issues, he could never bring about more than cosmetic changes. . . . As long as doctrine is ignored, we must remain captives of the ruling system or the spirit of the age, whatever that may be" (p.182)."
And the woman fled into the wilderness,
where she hath a place prepared of God,
that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
And white robes were given unto every one of them;
and it was said unto them,
that they should rest yet for a little season,
Revelation 12:6/6:11
