Theophilus
03-04-2007, 07:23 AM
Greetings to you all in the Name of Jesus Christ!
A book was brought to my attention last night that I would like to share. It may induce a discussion on the matter, or it may drop to the archival grave yard on the sea floor of our esteemed forum like the Titanic. Either way, I must share it. Click the title for the free online version.
THE
BLOODY THEATER
OR
MARTYRS MIRROR
OF THE
DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS
(http://www.homecomers.org/mirror/martyrs001.htm)
Who Baptized Only Upon Confession of Faith, and Who Suffered and Died for the Testimony of Jesus, Their Saviour, From the Time of Christ to the Year A.D. 1660
COMPILED FROM VARIOUS AUTHENTIC CHRONICLES, MEMORIALS, AND TESTIMONIES, BY
THIELEMAN J. van BRAGHT
Translated from the original Dutch or Holland Language from the Edition of 1660
BY JOSEPH F. SOHM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATED
HERALD PRESS
Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Waterloo, Ontario
The book that was shown to me was a high quality hard bound as big as a concordance. I will be obtaining my own copy. If you would like one and find the cost too high from your source, PM me. I can get them for $25 and would ship it to you for the cost of shipping. I will ship internationally as well and to missionaries for free.
As I perused the work I was terribly moved by the many detailed accounts of the many martyrs. This is chiefly an Anabaptist book as it gets on into the time of their movement. It does start with the Jesus and the Apostles and makes its way into the 17th century. This isn't intended to be an exhaustive work for all Christian martyrs. I don't think any work ever can be. However, it is a strictly factual effort, complete with public records.
I found this very interesting with some references to Act 2:38 and accounts of baptisms taking place in homes wherein the man baptizing was speaking loudly in a language that the subject had never heard before. I can't remember where I was reading this as I paged through the entire work, but I will find it again.
I also found what I would consider to be those with doctrinal errors. However, the accounts of their situations and dedication and resolve to die for the confession of Christ when all that they had to do was deny and walk left me beside myself.
I read letters that are published from those awaiting torture and execution in prison to their wives that basically state:
"Well honey, I could be home for dinner tonight, but I will not deny Jesus Christ so this looks like this is it, Love ya, me."
Can you imagine! Some of these martyrs were not killed for being caught as a Christian; they were given the option to walk if only they would deny Christ.
There are also many accounts of catholic verses Christian persecution, torture, and execution simply because these would not claim allegiance to the "mother roman catholic church" as they called themselves. In one interview, the prisoner declared straight to the friar's face that the catholic church was the whore found in Rev 18. Bold to the end! Absolutely Fearless of what man can do!
This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I believe that it can change your perspective and edify your walk. I've always tried to imagine the plight of the martyrs, but these detailed accounts moved me and touched me beyond my imagination.
I realize that we might not agree with some of these martyrs doctrinally. However, it poses the question:
Are these martyrs glory bound despite their doctrinal shortcomings, despite the position that they were in with respect to their walk with Jesus, when time stood still, the question was posed, and the answer that cost them everything was given?
God Bless, Theo.
A book was brought to my attention last night that I would like to share. It may induce a discussion on the matter, or it may drop to the archival grave yard on the sea floor of our esteemed forum like the Titanic. Either way, I must share it. Click the title for the free online version.
THE
BLOODY THEATER
OR
MARTYRS MIRROR
OF THE
DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS
(http://www.homecomers.org/mirror/martyrs001.htm)
Who Baptized Only Upon Confession of Faith, and Who Suffered and Died for the Testimony of Jesus, Their Saviour, From the Time of Christ to the Year A.D. 1660
COMPILED FROM VARIOUS AUTHENTIC CHRONICLES, MEMORIALS, AND TESTIMONIES, BY
THIELEMAN J. van BRAGHT
Translated from the original Dutch or Holland Language from the Edition of 1660
BY JOSEPH F. SOHM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSTRATED
HERALD PRESS
Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Waterloo, Ontario
The book that was shown to me was a high quality hard bound as big as a concordance. I will be obtaining my own copy. If you would like one and find the cost too high from your source, PM me. I can get them for $25 and would ship it to you for the cost of shipping. I will ship internationally as well and to missionaries for free.
As I perused the work I was terribly moved by the many detailed accounts of the many martyrs. This is chiefly an Anabaptist book as it gets on into the time of their movement. It does start with the Jesus and the Apostles and makes its way into the 17th century. This isn't intended to be an exhaustive work for all Christian martyrs. I don't think any work ever can be. However, it is a strictly factual effort, complete with public records.
I found this very interesting with some references to Act 2:38 and accounts of baptisms taking place in homes wherein the man baptizing was speaking loudly in a language that the subject had never heard before. I can't remember where I was reading this as I paged through the entire work, but I will find it again.
I also found what I would consider to be those with doctrinal errors. However, the accounts of their situations and dedication and resolve to die for the confession of Christ when all that they had to do was deny and walk left me beside myself.
I read letters that are published from those awaiting torture and execution in prison to their wives that basically state:
"Well honey, I could be home for dinner tonight, but I will not deny Jesus Christ so this looks like this is it, Love ya, me."
Can you imagine! Some of these martyrs were not killed for being caught as a Christian; they were given the option to walk if only they would deny Christ.
There are also many accounts of catholic verses Christian persecution, torture, and execution simply because these would not claim allegiance to the "mother roman catholic church" as they called themselves. In one interview, the prisoner declared straight to the friar's face that the catholic church was the whore found in Rev 18. Bold to the end! Absolutely Fearless of what man can do!
This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I believe that it can change your perspective and edify your walk. I've always tried to imagine the plight of the martyrs, but these detailed accounts moved me and touched me beyond my imagination.
I realize that we might not agree with some of these martyrs doctrinally. However, it poses the question:
Are these martyrs glory bound despite their doctrinal shortcomings, despite the position that they were in with respect to their walk with Jesus, when time stood still, the question was posed, and the answer that cost them everything was given?
God Bless, Theo.