Roberts Liardon

Upon receiving this book , I picked it up several times to start reading it. I would read a few chapters and then as I cried I put it down. Each story, each person in this book did what many of us may not be able to do. They stood up for their faith in the face of certain death and were killed because they would not denounce God. The term martyr to me means standing up for your faith without fear , no matter the cost. I have read in the past about people that have been martyrs but I guess I show more just forgot that it is still going on today. Can you imagine going to a foreign land where Christians are hated? In this book are many stories of people who stood up, spread the Word of God and paid the ultimate price.

Just a few pages in, I read a story of a pastor and his twelve year old son who were taken because they were Christians. They told the father to denounce being a Christian and return to Islam. He refused and had to watch in agony as his son was tortured. In the end they were crucified along with several others. It was such a hard story to read, but it happens all over the world.

Throughout the book is historical names and more recent ones that have stood up for their beliefs. They have chosen to be missionaries and to spread the love of Jesus to all the nations. I was fascinated by all the stories and learned a lot about other countries. I loved when the author said we can pray for those who are in countries that are unsafe for Christians. At the end of the book the author gives insight to "the persecuted church and what the saints are enduring in different regions of the world." He also includes several organizations that need help . I encourage you to read this book slowly and take in all the information. I didn't realize all the people who had given their life while doing God's work. They are true martyrs and I will keep this book close by to remind me of their true faith. I pray that I too may always stand strong and not be afraid to say I am a Christian.

"Jesus told us that a servant is not greater than his master. And that there would be those who would suffer for His name's sake."

I received this book from Book Fun.org and the option to leave my honest opinion of it was up to me. show less

have not heard of William Seymour before I read this book about his life. Wow. What an incredible inspiration he is. As I followed each step he took I was amazed at the undeniable love of God he had. Stepping out in faith, he spoke in churches that didn’t always accept him for the color of his skin and/or his belief in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. It was easy to step back in time and watch as people prayed hours upon hours and listened to the Word of God through William.

His show more sermons could be long at times but everyone stayed to listen to what this man had to say. They could feel the stirring of God and wanted to part of it. It reminds me of the revivals I attended as a child. I didn’t understand everything that was going on because I was young and at times it scared me. As I grew older, I became aware of speaking in tongues and what the Bible says about it. Everyone has different views on this subject so I leave it up to readers to choose their own path on this subject.

As we step into the second part of the book, this is where I wanted to linger. I loved his sermons and how he touched on the life of Jesus. He explains that someone who was sinless and without disease died for us. He forgives us and wants a relationship with us. Each sermon has a different topic and I soon realized that I needed to study each one slowly. There is a lot in this book that I enjoyed reading and I’m glad I was introduced to a man who accepted the call on his life.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less

I had no idea the church Body had such a colorful historicity. This book deals with that history in the period of the late 19th century to the late 20th century. I don't know why we do not reference these people and the movements they were part of more often. How the past fades, the past fades in our memories.

I am most impressed with the people who have the least flaws. The people who seemed to truly seek God's will in their life for the entire span of their lives — they ran with patience. show more

John Alexander Dowie was portrayed as an immensely powerful man, who was also immensely stubborn. He held Chicago in the palm of his hand, for a season. His stubbornness was they key to his success and his failure. How a man could come to believe he was Elijah, then on his death bed reveal with his last words his belief that he was Jesus, is simply beyond me. Perhaps he had had a stroke—surely he could not become so deluded naturally. Zion, Illinois is a place I would like to visit one day, simply out of curiosity.

Marie Woodworth-Etter was portrayed as the most saintly person in the book. I believe it is for this reason that she held such influence on people—especially future ministers. The trance phenomenon surrounding her ministry is fascinating. I would like to find more books—and wow, would I like to find her own rare works which Liardon mentioned he has copies of!

Evan Roberts was a strange man. He so sought to live in the Spirit that I see him as a man that was lost in a fog in this world. How bizarre was his relationship with Mrs. Jessie Penn-Lewis! Success brings them out of the woodwork. If only it were not for her, I wonder how Roberts' life would have differed. I too wonder if the dark poetry found upon his death in his notebook has ever been published.

Charles F. Parham, in my opinion, should have stayed away from Zion, Illinois. Wilbur Voliva certainly had it in for him with his sodomy accusation. So many of these men and women seemed to thrive on adversity, seeking it until it finally did them in. Persecution seems to do very many Christians in. Here are my thoughts on the matter: Had Parham's enemies had real proof of his being arrested for sodomy, they would not have posted signed confessions, but the actual police report.

William J. Seymour and Azusa Street are probably the most widely circulated nouns in charismatic circles. This was the first I had really delved into the story. I am shocked at the ultimate fate of the Azusa Street Mission. It seemingly all hinged on Seymour's interpretation of sanctification. I believe the actual consequences that stemmed from his belief, show how his doctrine was flawed. Here too is a point—padlocking is indirect criticism, with much more severe undertones than direct criticism. Seymour wasn't quite logical when it came to this.

John G. Lake was one of the most impressive figures here, in my opinion. It is very sad what took place in Africa. Out of Africa...

Smith Wigglesworth was a very impressive fellow as well. His belief that "True faith confronts, and it is ignited by initiative" motivated him to achieve amazing acts. Faith + Compassion = miracles.

Aimee Semple McPherson was very strange — Hollywood strange made even more strange by Pentecostal strangeness. A fascinating life.

Kathryn Kuhlman is contained within my mother's library. I'll have to investigate. Poor Kathryn finally rid herself of "man problems". I did not know that she had risen to such secular realms in the late 20th century. Those clips too would be interesting to dig up.

William Branham is one of the most intriguing people in the book. It is the strange lights, the angel beside him, the paranormal picture, the vibrating hand. The supernatural surrounded this guy; and yet he wanted to teach. He felt, looking around him, there was not enough substance. Tragic. I believe had he gone about being taught in a proper way, God would have given him his heart's desire - to be a teacher. Unfortunately, in this area Branham was an idiot, from the Greek "idiote" —full of his own foolish thoughts. The picture with the anomaly over Branham's head is chilling. I would like to collect more on the life and ministry of Branham.

Jack Coe was quite a guy for God. I find it very amusing that the US Army kept sticking him in psych wards. This didn't phase him though! It was also entertaining, Coe's obsession with tent-size.

My Uncle, The late Reverend Boyd McClaren traveled with A.A. Allen and W.V. Grant. He was Allen's morning speaker. He eventually left Allen due to his drinking. It is my opinion that Liardon does not have very good information pertaining to Allen's drinking. He downplays it, making it seem to be mostly a conspiracy against his ministry. Allen had quite a ministry, whether he was a raging alcoholic or no.

I have not touched upon the true substance of this book. That is, God's calling, the answer, stepping out in faith, and where that leads to. By the evidence provided, we can believe that it leads to being filled with the Holy Spirit, and miracles of an amazing variety. The stories within this volume are priceless. show less

As the wife, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter-in-law of Primitive Baptist Preachers, I wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I found it to be dry, hard to concentrate on the words on the pages, and otherwise inaccessible except perhaps to someone who experienced a direct family connection with William Seymour or the Azusa Street Revival.

Turning a stable into a revival location connected to me because of how Jesus Christ came into the world in the flesh. I believe this book best suits show more those with a strong desire to read theological papers rather than the mainstream public. I wanted this book to explore the nuances and experiences of the actual people besides the teachings. I found it lacking in that area. But check this book out for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. show less