DC Talk

This was an encouraging book. It was an easy read in the sense of the style. It was a hard read in that one can only read about so much persecution a day.

I decided to add a bit to my devotions every day and it was valuable in conjunction with prayer and Bible reading.

I saw someone mention that it got repetitive while they were reading it and I can definitely see that happening if you try to read it in one sitting or like a novel. So if you want to read it, don't read it like that.

Some show more martyrdom accounts were paraphrased and fleshed out versions of the extant textual samples we have. I'm ok with that because, even though they make some interpretive decisions where scholars aren't sure, they 1) don't claim that this is what any text said. It's just their narrative of the account. 2) Makes it easier to read for a devotional and non-academic reading.

Now I know not to cite small details from the narratives in Jesus freaks when they paraphrase the early church writing. Because I know they're flavouring the accounts.

But you know what doesn't make this distinction clear? It also happens to be my main pet peeve about the book. The Message ("Bible").

The verses distributed throughout the book were from various translations. Which is nice. I like to consult various translations because no translation is 100% perfect.

But when I came across quotations from passages from the Message, something was afoul. I’m not used to it and the heavily idiomatic language it exuded seemed to be unfamiliar to the voice of God I have read and heard in the WEB, LEB, ESV, NLT, NIV etc.

At some point I read a passage I knew and thought: Wait a second. That wasn't there before.

So I went back and, from then on, every time I came across a Message passage, I read the corresponding section in another Bible.

I am shocked by how different it can be. Now if it wasn't treated like a Bible translation by people, that would be different. It would be an interpretive retelling (like the anecdotes the authors of Jesus Freaks use). But it's not. And that's dangerous.

If you don't want to take my word for it, here is an example:

Matthew 5:11–12

LEB:

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Message:

[++Not only that] count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. [++What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.] You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—[??for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds.] And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

The stuff in square brackets with ++ is completely foreign to this text. The square brackets with ?? is dubiously overstated.

When Peterson was translating the final section of the New Testament in Revelation 22:18-19, did he not notice any irony when he penned the following words?

"I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to your life the disasters written in this book; if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book."

One would suppose that some spark would ignite and the lightbulb would go on but no.

Notice how I simply used another English translation instead of the greek apparatus that I am blessed enough to own. This isn't an academic exercise. This is something every Christian can do, has a right to do and must do: verify what God said yourself. show less

If you want to be challenged to live the Christian life in spite of those who would disagree with you, then read these stories of people who died for what they believe in. It will give one a whole new perspective on standing for what you believe in. I have to ask myself if I could be as strong as these people were, and pray that I too would take my stand for Jesus as these people did. It also causes me to pray for those in countries where the gospel is not allowed to be proclaimed freely. Be show more prepared to be challenged! show less

I think with a book like this, you can't help but compare yourself to the people in the book. It is part of the purpose of the book. I wonder about myself; whether I would have faith strong enough to die for it. Right now, I don't think I would. So it's interesting to me that all the people in this book have died or lived for there faith. Part of me wants to strive to be like them—living for my faith. Another part is confused.
I think this is a interesting book for most Christians to read show more because we all want to strive to be more faithful in life. If you are not Christian, I am not sure it will interest you. It might but I think it is a little strong for non-Christians. show less

This basically picks up on Foxe's book of Martyrs and continues the story of the persecuted church in the world up until more recent times. Great, encouraging stories from those who looked forward to a better heavenly city. With the exception of a few accounts, I would highly recommend reading these stories to your children, especially if you are a Christian living in America where we suffer virtually no persecution. Our children need to know how blessed by God they are to live in a land show more where the Gospel, by and large, goes forth unhindered. show less