Rescue and Redeem
Volume 5: Chronicles of the Modern Church
Let history come to life - just the way it should! The fifth book in a series intended to cover the history of the Christian church through its people and key events. Written primarily for 9-14 year olds with a modern, relaxed and enthusiastic style. Many adults also enjoy these as a good read. This is history without the wooliness – and with all the wonder.

As the modern world exploded with rapid changes- in transportation, in communication, in manufacturing- people around the globe faced overwhelming new challenges. As Christians arrived for the first time in other countries, they realized that being a Christian was about living out the gospel in every culture. And they realized that great injustice was everywhere! So they met the challenges of modern life with new ways of communicating Christ's ancient gospel.

From Niijima Jo and Pandita Ramabai to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Janani Luwum, they set out to rescue God's global people and redeem them to new life in Christ. Read the stories of the Japanese samurai who traded his sword for a Bible and the Hawaiian princess whose faith strengthened her to defend her nation. Discover the German and Ugandan pastors who stoof up to murderous dictators. Get to know the teacher in India who rescued child widows and the writer in Britain who created a world in a wardrobe.

About the Chronicles of the Church series:
In Christian circles, it is not uncommon to hear a parent passionately speak of history as really being His story, and they are right. But then they turn around and define history by human achievements, rather than as an accurate recounting of God's redemptive work in the world. So they spend hours diligently sorting through the piles of readily–available history texts in the hope of finding one that supports the probability of a certain famous statesman being a Christian.

Why work so hard at seeing God's providence in history through quasi-Christians when there are dynamic, dramatic narratives that prove the point so clearly and effortlessly? God's people from every geographic, ethnic, and economic background have a story to tell in a way that will impact your children's understanding of God's providential hand throughout all times past.

This five-volume set that begins with Paul and ends with the church today offers an appealing and amazingly accurate introduction to the chronicles of Christianity. Though "fictionalized," these accounts are based on extensive historical research and incorporate quotes from each individual's actual writings. The choices these men and women made were stunning and appalling, but God's mercy and grace flowed freely.

With a very readable text, this is one series that was eagerly previewed by our in-house crew. There is additional information integrated throughout each volume, including the issue of creeds and councils and the formation of the Bible; what is Islam; the Crusades; the Puritans and the settling of the Americas; social reform; national revolutions; and the development of church music. This five-volume set is aimed at the nine- to fourteen year- old reader but also makes a marvelous readaloud for any family devotion.