Now that the Reformed Free Publishing Association has released their latest title – and a very special one at that! – we can reference the post they made today on their blog.
Here is the first part of that post, along with an image of the cover; follow the link below to find out more and to order the book.
This looks to be one you will want to add to your personal or family library, or give as a gift this Christmas season.
For several years the RFPA has discussed publishing books for younger readers and Gottschalk: Servant of God represents our first effort. This book is intended for junior high and high school ages. Because the story is intriguing and the history of Gottschalk is not well-known, adults will also enjoy this book and find it profitable.
Source: Reformed Free Publishing Association — Now Available! New Book: Gottschalk
Why a book on this Medieval monk? In part, this is how the author answers that in her introduction:
God was protecting his church, preserving her, leading her, guiding her. No, she was not forgotten. God was leading her throughout all of history, sometimes at a crawl, sometimes at a trot, and sometimes at a grueling gallop – but he was with her all along. Such is the comfort we receive from the story of Gottschalk. God preserves his church. As Gottschalk would say in his characteristic way, ‘It is obviously seen brighter than the sun and is more clearly apparent than daylight’ (x).
The book is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations done by the author, Mrs. Connie Meyer (see the sample pages on the RFPA blog post). Throughout are drawings from the times (Middle Ages), maps, and other period pictures of places and people.
In addition, the author has included an appendix with a sample of Gottschalk’s writings. These include some of his poetry and his Shorter Confession. Here is a short excerpt from his “A Hymn to God the Life-Giver”, in which the truth of sovereign electing grace shines plainly:
Thou dost increase and infuse
The faith which Thou dost grant
To whomsoever Thou dost choose.
Still more, Thou cleanest lepers
Polluted in their shame,
Ungodly men are righteous,
Made clean in Thy pure name;
Together with the Father and His beloved Son,
Thou recreatest souls,
All those of Thine elect,
And when Thy work is done,
Thy glory lights each one.
Tim Challies posted this a few weeks ago (Nov.4, 2015) and I saved this post for the right time. Today, I think, is that time. You have heard me say more than once here – where the theme is “read more and read better” – that the best Book you will ever read is God’s Book, the holy Bible. My morning devotional today reminded me that God’s Word is the greatest treasure one could have (Ps.119:161-168). And as a Reformed Christian, I live under the Reformation motto sola Scriptura – everything I believe and everything I do must be governed by “Scripture alone.”
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