Biography – serie

This is the first hand account of a young man's entry into World War II in 1941, culminating in his role in the bombing of Dresden in February 1945 by RAF Bomber Command. This is not a gung-ho account of flying with Bomber Command, instead Musgrove takes the form of a basic narrative in his memoir, paying particular attention to fear, morale and, as the author explains, the myth of leadership felt by those involved first hand.Several raids are described in detail and illustrate the variety of experiences, problems and dangers involved in such hazardous warfare. First published nearly 60 years after his experiences, Musgrove delves in to his recollections of the bombing of factories and cities to reflect on the grave moral issues brought on by this particular raid.

British missionaries David and Shirley Donovan were running a health centre in Nigeria when a pounding on their bedroom door tipped their lives upside down. Threatened at gunpoint,held hostage and ransomed for a billion naira, they tell of the grace that allowed them to witness to their kidnappers in the midst of the chilling and disturbing realisation of what man is capable of.

Columba’s name dominates the narrative of early Scottish Christianity. What was established on Iona through Columba’s astonishing leadership, and through a succession of energetic and resourceful abbots, exerted a unique influence on the development of Christianity in Scotland and beyond. Bruce Ritchie’s analytical biography is the key to understanding the real Columba, his theology, his spirituality, and the faith that drove him across the sea.

I think there is real hope to be found, in the middle of our deepest traumas, in the good news about Jesus Christ. I also think that there is a place for us to find hope and community within the church. Because of these two beliefs, I truly think,distant though it may be, that we may even get to a place of peace within our souls and a place of forgiveness for those who hurt us so much. This is a book that has no easy answers and will offer none. This is a book that tries to get behind the tough questions of why God permits such abuses to occur in this world. Using his own story of childhood abuse, Mez McConnell tells us about a God who is just,sovereign and loving. A good father who knows the pain of rejection and abuse,who hates evil, who can bring hope even in the darkest place. ‘It’s not a pagan rags to Christian riches story. It’s real, raw and radical. I suspect that there will be as many people shocked by the Bible teaching that Mez wrestles with, as there will be those shocked by the abuse he suffered. With chapters like ‘The glorious, wonderful reality of Hell’ and ‘The terrible reality of Heaven’, there is no chance of this book being perceived as comfortable.’ – David Robertson, Christian Today https://christiantoday.com/article/my-favourite-christian-book-of-2019/133774.htm

“There is more to life than football, fame and fortune. There is a greater joy and a greater glory to be had.”Premier league footballer turned pastor Gavin Peacock tells the story of his career and his faith in this fascinating, thought–provoking and personal read. What makes a man walk away from his life as a professional footballer turned BBC pundit to become a church minister? They say it is every schoolboy’s dream to play in the F.A. Cup Final. It’s a dream that came true for Gavin Peacock. In his riveting autobiography, follow Gavin’s journey from a child growing up in a footballing family to Chelsea captain; from a son following in his father’s footsteps to a husband and father supporting his own family; from pundit to preacher. This riveting autobiography follows Gavin’s life through the lens of his journeys with football, family and faith: football fan to Chelsea captain, son to father, pundit to preacher. Experience the rollercoaster of highs and lows as he tells his story and explains the driving force behind it all – his love for football, his love for his family, and most importantly his love for God.

These women made sacrifices for their faith. They endured pain and suffering in order to give glory to their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and they have given us a legacy. With these twenty–six heroines you can go through history and see how these women made a difference in their world and in the church. From the slave girl Blandina through to the young mother Betty Stam, we discover the women from the early church to modern missionaries who face their struggles with the strength of God. Nothing could separate them, or us, from the love of God.

This book contains the stories of ten women whose circumstances and choices led them to a place that seemed far removed from the fruitful,joy–filled life we are called to live in Christ. But each of their stories is a testament to the work God does through his imperfect children. Their stories will encourage and inspire, and remind you that you are not alone in your struggles. The names of some of these women are well–known,some are less so. The first five stories are about relationships with other people; the next five stories are about inner struggles.  Overcoming Sexual Sin & Identity – Rosaria ButterfieldDifficult Marriage and Divorce – Joy DavidmanBereavement – Elisabeth Elliot Singleness – Betsie & Corrie ten Boom Overcoming with Forgiveness – Betsie & Corrie ten BoomEating Disorders – Christie Dondero Bettwy Illness – Susannah SpurgeonFalse Beliefs – Doreen VirtueSelf–Righteousness – Susanna WesleyThe Fear of Man – Sarah Edwards Through exploring how other women of Christ’s Kingdom began anew in him, you will be encouraged on your own path of joy and freedom. Although you may not be in the same position as these women, there are things we can learn from each of them. In every chapter, MacLeod focuses on bearing fruit for Christ even in these circumstances and includes questions to think through and discuss how the truths learned by these women could be applied to your own life.

The Gurvsy family arrived in China during 2017. Two years later they were back home, reeling from the experience and asking, ‘What happened?’.After being sent out to missional work, the Gurvsys look back at newsletters, diaries, examining memories and their culture shocks; all with the prayer–fuelled awareness of God, His ways, His Word and His promises.This book is a narrative made possible by reflection. It’s a story of waiting, action and benching. It’s less an account of missional life in Asia. Rather, a story which reflects the complexities, challenges, choices and changes humanity experiences while here on earth. It’s a letter to all who are called to go, be it at home,in work or overseas.

Known primarily for his allegorical work, The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan was also a preacher, a gifted theologian and interpreter of Scripture. Academically, he was not a learned man, but when it came to practical and experiential mastery of the Scriptures and their theology, he was as gifted as anyone. His writings have a beauty and practicality not often found. He teaches that the greater the Christian’s understanding of truth, the stronger their own passion for Jesus will be, and the greater their worship and doxology will become.Jacob Tanner’s enlightening biography traces Bunyan’s life from his humble beginnings to his calling home to the Celestial City. From his debaucherous youth to glimpses of grace and eventual calling to ministry.There are lessons here for any twenty–first century Christian. He can teach men to be mature, fathers to be loving, husbands to be faithful, pastors to be tender,saints to suffer well, Christians to be steadfast. One of his greatest lessons to modern Christians is how to live faithfully for Christ in a world that is antagonistic to God.

This gripping in–depth biography is a must–read insight into a fascinating man. David Livingstone was one of the most consequential individuals who lived in the nineteenth century. An unpretentious Scottish missionary doctor, explorer and abolitionist, he opened the door for Christianity in southern Africa. Vance Christie’s biography is the most comprehensive and accurate account ever written about Livingstone. During his lifetime he was a hero in Britain and beyond, and gained a degree of respect, trust,appreciation and even affection with many African people. He was a man who overcame many deprivations and discouragements, and displayed the utmost measure of courage, self–control, faith, wisdom and ingenuity. Christie takes a balanced look at Livingstone’s amazing achievements, but also at his very real flaws.

Bite–sized biographies of inspirational Christian women.Spanning two millennia and multiple continents, these stories will introduce you to great women in the history of the Christian faith. From Mary in first century Judea,to Catherine Booth in nineteenth century Britain, to Gladys Aylward in twentieth century China. Perpetua and Jane Grey lived brief lives cut short by their conspicuous and brave fidelity to Jesus, while Corrie ten Boom, although no less courageous, lived a long life that testified to God’s compassion and forgiveness.For all their differences, each one of these women has left an indelible legacy on our collective intergenerational Christian consciousness.Each are worth knowing. To know someone’s story is a privilege. We hope you’re encouraged in your Christian walk as you read of theirs.The women whose stories are included in this book are:MaryPerpetuaCatherine of SienaJane GreyAnne HutchinsonAnne DuttonSelina, Countess of HuntingdonCatherine BoothGladys AylwardCorrie Ten Boom

All three volumes of Helen Roseveare’s autobiography combined for the first time, with a foreword by John & Noël Piper, and an introduction and afterword by Betsy Childs Howard. Throughout her eight years in training for the mission field and her first twelve years in the Congo, Helen Roseveare had prayed that God would give her a mountain–top experience of his glory and power. God’s answers formed the basis of her best–selling autobiography, Give Me This Mountain.However, after enduring civil war, brutal mistreatment, and having to rebuild work from scratch, and later while caring for her elderly mother, she realised that God’s work is also done in the valleys.The third of her autobiographies, written after her mother passed away, emphasises her faithful, daily obedience, digging ditches as God led and trusting him to fill them with life–giving water in his time. These three books are combined in one volume for the first time giving an overarching view of the amazing ways God used Helen’s life. Includes the books Give me This Mountain, He Gave Us a Valley and Digging Ditches.

Fascinating insight into life and faith of 18th century best–selling author, educationalist and abolitionist There has never been anyone quite like Hannah More…  Her books were kept in the homes of presidents, and peers of the realm. They were a best–selling phenomenon, and she “the most successful British author of the romantic period,”—more successful, financially, than Sir Walter Scott, and more than Jane Austen.  A gifted poet and playwright Hannah More was, by her early 30s, the toast of literary London. Samuel Johnson collaborated with her in writing verse, and David Garrick, one of the greatest Shakespearian actors in theatre history, was her mentor and devoted patron. Hannah, as a member of the Bluestocking circle of the late 1700s, was a pioneering artist and celebrity. Throughout the English–speaking world, she became a household name.  In later years, after her passing in 1833, her legacy lived on.  C.S.Lewis knew her story, and wrote about it—her good works, born of faith.   As a philanthropist and reformer, she was a cherished colleague of William Wilberforce.  Their friendship, and endeavours, were famous in their own right.  Together,they were abolitionists, and together (with Wilberforce’s backing) Hannah More and her sisters created nine schools, where there were none, and educated 1,000poor students a year, for decades. Her own charities were legion, and supported by her great royalties as a writer.  Yet there were broken moments in her life. She overcame tragedy, and debilitating pain.  She knew what loss and failure were—and she learned the ways of grace, amid it all.  And so, in a word…  Hannah More is one of the most fascinating figures in the pages of history: and her faith was a benison for the time in which she lived. Her life was illumined by the sacred flame of Christian belief. It inspired books that speak to us now,with power and eloquence—charting the reasons for hope—lending timeless words it is our privilege to know, and return to.   To purchase this book is to discover why.

D. Martyn Lloyd–Jones and the Holy Spirit: A Theological AssessmentWith a Foreword by Sinclair B. FergusonThis groundbreaking study examines D. Martyn Lloyd–Jones’s theology of the Holy Spirit, particularly focusing on his controversial teaching about the baptism of the Spirit, revival, and the relationship between Word and Spirit in preaching. Drawing extensively on Lloyd–Jones’s sermons, lectures, and previously unpublished materials, Philip Eveson demonstrates that Lloyd–Jones stood firmly within the Reformed tradition while emphasising the experiential aspect of Christianity that characterised early Calvinistic Methodism.The book provides fresh insights into Lloyd–Jones’s thinking by exploring his medical background, his Welsh Methodist roots, and his profound engagement with Puritan writers. It carefully analyses his understanding of Spirit baptism, assurance,and revival, showing how his position differed from both Pentecostalism and cessationism.Particularly valuable is the detailed examination of Lloyd–Jones’s philosophy of preaching and his insistence on both doctrinal accuracy and spiritual power. The author convincingly argues that Lloyd–Jones’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s work offers vital insights for contemporary Reformed Christianity.Two valuable appendices provide previously unpublished material: Lloyd–Jones’s important address on the Welsh Revival of 1904–05, and his personal spiritual journal from 1930–31. An extensive bibliography guides readers to primary and secondary sources for further study.Essential reading for ministers, theological students, and anyone interested in Lloyd–Jones’s legacy or the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life and ministry.

Understanding John Wesley: A Fresh Look at the Heart of His FaithUnderstanding John Wesley offers a compelling, accessible exploration of one of Christianity’s most influential leaders. Drawing from rigorous historical research and the author’s original theological study, this book reintroduces readers to the real Wesley – scholar, preacher, organiser, and spiritual pioneer – whose defining message of justification by faith ignited the eighteenth-century Evangelical Revival and continues to shape global Christianity today.Designed for pastors, students, and thoughtful readers, this volume cuts through centuries of debate to reveal a clear, balanced portrait of Wesley’s convictions. From his early formation in the deeply devout Epworth Rectory, through his transformative Aldersgate experience, to his lifelong mission of spreading the “religion of love,” Roger William Fay traces how Wesley’s theology developed, where it diverged from competing traditions, and why it still matters.With clarity and care, the book re-examines key moments: Wesley’s Oxford years, his mission to Georgia, his break with Moravian teaching, and his evolving understanding of assurance and holiness. It also brings fresh insight by engaging the latest historical research, including newly evaluated diaries, letters, and scholarly reassessments.Readers will discover:The central role of justification by faith in Wesley’s understanding of salvationHow family, education, and social climate shaped his religious identityWhy Wesley’s Aldersgate experience remains the focal point of Methodist spiritualityThe tensions and triumphs that defined his long ministryHow his legacy influenced both Evangelical and Methodist movementsWhat today’s church can learn from Wesley’s passion for reasoned, practical holinessUnderstanding John Wesley is both a scholarly contribution and an inspiring invitation to rediscover a life, and a faith, of extraordinary depth.

Isaac Watts(1674-1748) is one of the best-known hymn-Writers in history. He wrote over 700 hymns including the well-known "When I survey the Wondrous Cross", "O God, our help in ages past" and "Jesus shall reign where'er the sun" - hymns which are still sung to this day. Brought up in a non-conformist church and family, Isaac Watts knew what it was to be a pastor whilst also battling prolonged periods of illness. Leading a life, that like us all, was not without difficulty or controversy, he was able to write hymns of almost unparalleled depth and beauty, though they were often unappreciated by his own congregation. This fascinating study considers his life, writings and continuing influence on Christians today, in a way that will illuminate and inspire.

The galleries of the great heroes of faith contain many inspirational women; although not always placed in as prominent a position for all to see, their service has been invaluable in God’s kingdom. The wife of Dr Martyn Lloyd–Jones was such a woman. Bethan Lloyd–Jones’ portrait has long been hidden in a part of the gallery known only to her family and certain close friends. Lynette G. Clark brings this portrait into view, capturing the wit, wisdom and faith of a godly wife, mother and friend.

Dr. Gaius Davies introduces us to Martin Luther, John Bunyan, William Cowper, Lord Shaftesbury, Gerard Manly Hopkins, Christina Rossetti, Amy Carmichael, J.B. Phillips, C.S. Lewis, Martyn Lloyd Jones and Frances Ridley Havergal. After a brief biographical introduction to each person, he shows us how he or she all had their particular trial, and how grace operated in each of them. He is not afraid to show how anxiety, guilt, depression and doubt can be present in the finest of Christian lives, but also goes on to show how divine grace can transform human weakness.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) is highly–valued by contemporary preachers and Bible users. Here we get a closer look at the life of Matthew Henry by an author who has had a life–long interest in Matthew Henry and his writings. Matthew Henry was the son of a Puritan pastor who had been silenced by the government of the time. Nevertheless Philip Henry, a godly man reared his family on Christian principles and Matthew followed the Lord from an early age. Although it was difficult to find suitable ministerial training, Matthew Henry eventually studied for the ministry. With government opposition relaxing, he became a Presbyterian pastor in Chester in 1687 and later in London from 1712. It is astonishing to note the amount of preaching and writing that he accomplished despite suffering from ill–health and knowing intense sorrow in his family life.

The recounting of the story of revival on the Scottish Isle of Lewis in the late 1940s. It is a fascinating blend of history, biography and testimony. It includes the eye–witness accounts from Duncan Campbell and Mary Peckham.