Saints & Reformers

It's not just that we need godly role models—we need to see the hand of God at work throughout history. As G.K. Chesterton once said, the striking thing about the human characters in the Old Testament is how the same they are; the important thing is that God uses man's propensity for weakness and sin to bring His own ends and His own glory to fruition.

Having men and women to look up to is good, too. Past saints wouldn't want us worshipping them (not that anyone intends to, but again, the human capacity for sin can lead us into some strange behavior at times), and the Bible itself strictly warns against undue honor to any but the Lord of Hosts, yet a healthy respect for the faithfulness and piety of Christians throughout history is good for encouraging and fostering our own righteousness.

But (to return to Chesterton) there is also no one who does good. The holiness evidenced by even the kindest and most pure of Christ's servants is only the holiness given him or her by the Spirit which indwells them. It's not human history or greatness we're after when we read about John Hus or Augustine of Hippo or Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it's the working of the Trinitarian God among His people and throughout the world.

Another caution: don't suppose biographies of people like these are somehow addendums to Scripture. The Bible is canonical and complete as it stands, each book within it God-inspired and ordained by Him to communicate truths about Himself. His story, however, is far from over, and we read about His faithful ones with all the gratitude and awe children ought to show their Father.

We've excluded no one based on denomination or sect (unless, of course, that denomination or sect is unorthodox or cultic). As long as the subject held to the basic tenets of the Apostles' Creed, we count them brother or sister, and welcome their activities in the name of Christ as advancements of His Kingdom. Enjoy these biographies, be uplifted, and attribute to God alone all glory, praise and honor.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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61 Items found Print
Active Filters: 9th grade (Ages 14-15)
Amazing Grace of Freedom
by Ken Wales, Susan Wales, Ted Baehr
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Apologia Pro Vita Sua
Dover Giant Thrift Editions
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Betrayal
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Beyond the Myth
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Beyond the Sacred Page
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Celtic Saints
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Early Church
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For God and His People
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Glimpses of Truth
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Glory and Honor
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Great Christian Hymn Writers
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Leaders in Action
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Here I Stand
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Here I Stand
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Idelette
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Jesus Freaks
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Jesus Freaks Martyrs
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Jesus Freaks, Volume 2
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Joan of Arc
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John Calvin, Genius of Geneva
Reformation Trail Series #07
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John Knox: Stalwart Courage
by Douglas Wilson, foreword by George Grant
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Kitty, My Rib
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Legacy of John Calvin
The Calvin 500 Series
by David W. Hall
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Life & Legacy of Saint Patrick
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Life & Times of St. Francis
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Life of John Calvin
by Theodore Beza
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Life of Saint Patrick
World Landmark #17
by Quentin Reynolds
from Random House
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Luther by Those Who Knew Him
Reformation Trail Series #20
by Elizabeth R. Charles
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Martin Luther
by J. A. Morrison
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
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Martin Luther
by J. A. Morrison
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Martin Luther: The Man and His Work
Reformation Trail Series #19
by Arthur C. McGiffert
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Mighty Weakness of John Knox
Long Line of Godly Men Profiles
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Monk Who Shook the World
by Cyril J. Davey
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Pierre Viret
by Jean-Marc Berthoud
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Place to Stand
Leaders in Action Series
by Gene Veith
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Prince and Heretic
Prince of Orange Nassau Volume 1
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$17.95
Reformation Heroes
by Diana Kleyn, Joel R. Beeke
2nd edition from Reformation Heritage Books
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River of Grace
by Joyce McPherson
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Saint Nicholas
by Joe L. Wheeler Ph.D.
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
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Saint Patrick
by Jonathan Rogers
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Seven Men
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Seven Men
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Seven Women
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Slaves' Champion
by Henry Wheeler
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Story of Joan of Arc
Grosset & Dunlap Signature #19
by Jeannette C. Nolan, illustrated by Pranas Lapé
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Story of Joan of Arc
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Story of Joan of Arc
by Andrew Lang
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The Thunder
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This Was John Calvin
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This Was John Calvin
by Thea Van Halsema
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Three Men Came to Heidelberg
by Thea Van Halsema
from IDEA Ministries
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Through Flood and Flame
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Through Gates of Splendor
by Elisabeth Elliot
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Through Gates of Splendor
by Elisabeth Elliot
40th Anniversary from Tyndale House
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Tommorow You Die
International Adventures
by Reona Peterson Joly
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Trial and Triumph
by Richard Hannula
from Canon Press
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$21.00
Triumph of Truth
by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne
from Bob Jones University Press
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$9.99
Trust God, Keep the Faith
by Bartha Hill
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When Lightning Struck!
by Danika Cooley
from Fortress Press
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William, by the Grace of God
Prince of Orange Nassau Volume 2
by Marjorie Bowen
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$17.95