Caleb Nelson

Mounts a very strong argument for the historical value and Biblical correctness of Calvin's teaching that the Holy Spirit uses the Lord's Supper to convey Christ to us.

Needham does history by writing mini-biographies in this excellent treatment of the long seventeenth century. He summarizes the life and achievements of many key figures -- Lutheran Scholastic Johannes Quenstedt, Roman Catholic mystic Madame Guyon, and Orthodox Patriarch (and allegedly crypto-Calvinist) Cyril Lucaris. The author, an Englishman, focuses much of the book on Britain. He’s also a Reformed Baptist, but his work is remarkably fair to all parties, and lacks the apocalyptic coloring of pre-20th century church histories. The primary sources are enticingly excerpted at each chapter’s end. Both Christ’s power and the church’s rich heritage are here in plenty.