Reformation evangelism tool published
Churches across the UK are being urged to buy and give away a just-published short introduction to the Reformation
It is hoped that the new book – Freedom Movement – 500 Years of Reformation – will have the same success and impact The Servant Queen and The King She Serves did. Published in 2016 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, well over a million copies were distributed.
Freedom Movement has been written by Oxford historian and theologian Michael Reeves. The short, 40 page book tells the story of Martin Luther’s life, introducing readers to his re-discovery of the core gospel doctrine of justification by faith alone.
One of Luther’s own illustrations, the story of a prostitute whom a king loves and marries, and on whom the status of royalty is thus freely given, draws out the great story of grace. The exchange at the heart of the book is the section on the cross of Jesus.
It then examines the impact and consequences the rediscovery had, across the world, in areas as diverse as Christian mission, church revival, the abolition of slavery, art and music, and social improvements such as in education and health.
Freedom Movement is the brainchild of Christian Heritage London, which puts on a variety of events for churches to explain the profound influence Christianity had on London’s history.
Ben Virgo of Christian Heritage said, 'We believe it would be remiss of Christians not to use the 500th anniversary of the publication Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517 as the excellent evangelistic opening it undoubtedly is.
'We hope Christians will get behind it, as they did The Servant Queen, and replicate its success as churches across the UK buy copies in bulk and distribute them to family, friends and neighbours.
'At the same time we expect believers, many of whom are unaware of this key aspect of our Christian heritage, to learn more about who Luther was and what he achieved - and to be greatly encouraged as they do so.'
Baptist Times, 26/05/2017