"Redemption: The Church in Ancient Times" by Luke H. Davis. A Review
Decades ago, a Christian artist penned a delightful song reflecting on Jesus’ boyhood. The artist was Rich Mullins, and in that song lie these words: “And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old? Stories about their faith? They say stories like that make a boy grow bold. Stories like that make a man walk straight” (Rich Mullins, “Boy Like Me/Man Like You”). Those song lyrics resonate in my head on occasion, especially when diving into church history. And those words sang out as I read a new 176-page paperback, “Redemption: The Church in Ancient Times” written for kids from 12 and up. It’s a retelling of stories ‘bout the saints of old, stories about their faith. Stories that make a boy grow bold. Stories that make a man walk straight! And Luke H. Davis, who teaches ethics and church history at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, and has authored several fiction and nonfiction works, has made these stories enjoyable, memorable, and personable.
Davis takes on the stories of Paul, Peter, Ignatius, Polycarp and a host of others from the first four centuries. He recasts them into imaginative settings and conversations that historically summarize some of their main emphases while they lived. It’s an ingenious approach to turn what can be dusty and dry details, into lively accounts. And then, periodically, the author inserts “Fact Files” that give a thoughtfully abbreviated set of details that are missing from the story. For example, the development of the papacy, or the conversion of the country of Armenia, and more. As he was covering Constantine, I appreciated that he gave the emperor his due and didn’t paint him up as some insidious betrayer of Christianity as certain 20th and 21st Century authors like to do. I also enjoyed the fact that on this St. Patrick’s Day of 2022, I finished reading the book with the final story being about Patrick.
Through and through, “Redemption” is the kind of retelling of the stories ‘bout the saints of old, stories about their faith, stories that make a boy grow bold, stories that make a man walk straight. But these are not just to make a boy grow bold, but young women will find them significantly relatable and encouraging as well. I highly recommend the book, and encourage readers to snatch them up, and hand them out.
My thanks to
the author who sent me a copy of the book, gratis. He made no claims on my
loyalties nor bribed me with any royalties. In fact, he made no stipulations
and left me free to do as I liked. Therefore, this analysis is freely made and
freely given.
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