In Their Own Words

by David B. Calhoun

The Testimonies of Luther, Calvin, Knox, and Bunyan
Hundreds of biographies have been written of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and John Bunyan. But there is something unique to be gained by listening to these men tell their stories in their own words.
Here, in In Their Own Words, is a collection of testimonial statements drawn from the writings of Luther, Calvin, Knox, and Bunyan. We see men who candidly confessed their sins and boldly testified to the grace, mercy, and goodness of God to them. Their testimonies illustrate the great truth stated by Paul that where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 5:20-21).

Genres: Biography, Church History, Christianity

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2018

About the author

David B. Calhoun is Emeritus Professor of Church History at Covenant Theological Seminary, St Louis, Missouri. He has taught at Covenant College and Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) and served as principal of Jamaica Bible College. Prior to his appointment to Covenant Seminary in 1978, he was the overseas director of Ministries in Action.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

These types of books are hard to do well. When compiling mini biographies, each portrait runs the risk of being too short and too shallow, while the ensemble runs the risk of coming across as forced and incoherent. But Calhoun pulls it off.

What makes it work is Calhoun's writing. In this format, his writing has a big job to do: it must stitch together extensive quotes into a cohesive narrative (the book is titled "In Their Own Words" after all, so it had better have a bunch of their own words, no?) And Calhoun does the job. He does it so well that his writing is invisible. It is not intrusive or awkward or domineering. It slips silently into the background while the subjects command the stage. That's good writing.

[Hobart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
I liked this book -- don't get me wrong. I'd even recommend it heartily to people. But I have some issues with it.

Let's look at the book blurb, shall we?

Hundreds of biographies have been written of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and John Bunyan. But there is something unique to be gained by listening to these men tell their stories in their own words.

Right there? I'm sold -- great idea for a book. What's more, this is from Banner of Truth -- this kind of thing is in their wheelhouse. Who wouldn't want to read this kind of thing?

Here, in In Their Own Words, is a collection of testimonial statements drawn from the writings of Luther, Calvin, Knox, and Bunyan. We see men who candidly confessed their sins and boldly testified to the grace, mercy, and goodness of God to them. Their testimonies illustrate the great truth stated by Paul that ‘where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’ (Rom. 5:20-21).

The key word there, is "statements." I had visions of extended portions of the works of these men. Which seemed odd to me at least in Calvin's case, as he's notorious for not talking about his life (as is seen in this book, I should add). But still, that's what it sounded like to me. But by and large we're talking a sentence or two of quotation to be followed by Calhoun discussing more about his subject on whatever topic/time period he's looking at. Sometimes we get a paragraph -- sometimes a couple consecutive paragraphs. Sometimes it's less than a sentence. Really there's a lot more David Calhoun than I expected. I don't have a detailed analysis, but I'm pretty sure that the text is 55-65% Calhoun (and a few biographers he quotes), with the remainder by the subjects.

This doesn't diminish the work by Calhoun -- it's no easy feat finding these snippets and then assembling them into a coherent narrative. But still ...

My other issue is the inclusion of Bunyan. He doesn't fit thematically, or even historically. Also, despite really trying -- repeatedly for almost two decades -- I can't muster up that much enthusiasm for him. This is a personal flaw of mine, I realize. But that's that.

Now, the content of the book? It's really good -- linking these mini-biographies (50-60 pages per subject) to biographical remarks is a great idea, and adds a perspective you don't normally see. Calhoun is able to focus on the parts of their lives that they cared more about, rather than whatever the prevailing interests of scholars are.

We get good, concise views of their lives, with a lot of flavor of the subjects -- their concerns, their thoughts, even some of their personality. A good investment of time -- I learned some things, I found some inspiration in some of the words -- and relished Calhoun showing the Providential care shown to each of these men.

Read this, think about it -- just don't go in expecting to get saturated by the words of these figures and you'll enjoy it more than I did.

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ermutigend, unterhaltsam, anspornend.

der Wert von guten Freunden:
Luther: “if it had not been for Dr. Staupitz, I would have sunk into hell” (p. 5).
Calvin über Farrel: “[He] proceeded to utter an imprecation that God would curse my retirement, and the tranquility of the studies which I sought, if I should withdraw and refuse to give assistance when the necessity was so urgent.” (p. 68)
Bunyan über Giffort: “Holy Mr Gifford, whose doctrine, by God’s grace, was much for my stability.” (p. 192)
Bunyan über die Besuche von Giffort: “I still received more conviction, and from that time began to see something of the vanity and inward wretchedness of my wicked heart” (p. 193).

über den Segen von Ehefrauen, die Gott lieben:
über Luther: “Luther said that he married in order to ‘please his father, tease the pope, and vex the devil’’ (p. 24)
über Luther: “The household at times numbered as many as twenty-five.” (p. 28)

über's Durchhalten in schweren Zeiten:
Luther: “I cannot and will not retract anything... Here I stand, God help me” (p. 20).
Calvin: “The Lord has certainly inflicted on us a grave and painful wound in the death of our beloved son. But he is our Father, and knows best what is good for his children.” (p. 74)
Calvin: “When [God] permits his children to be afflicted, there is no doubt but that it is for their good. Thus we are forced to conclude that whatever he orders is the best thing we could desire.” (p. 93)
Knox: "Peter was permitted once to sink, and thrice most shamefully to refuse and deny his Master; to the intent that by the knowledge of his own weakness, he might be more able to instruct others of the same; and also that he might more largely magnify God’s free grace and mighty deliverance.” (p. 135)
Bunyan: “If I was out of prison today I would preach the gospel again tomorrow, by the help of God.” (p. 205)
über Bunyan: “For most of the next twelve years Bunyan remained in the Bedford jail, in filthy, overcrowded conditions, sadly separated from his wife and children, for no other crime than that of preaching.” (p. 206)

über Gottes starkes Werk durch schwache Menschen:
Luther: “I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s word. And while I slept or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf...the word did everything.” (p. 18)
Luther: “I was a good monk, and I kept the rule of my order so strictly that I may say that if ever a monk got to heaven by his monkery it was I.” (p. 4)
Luther: “I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners. Nevertheless, I beat importunately upon Paul at that place [Rom. 1:17], most ardently desiring to know what St. Paul wanted.” (p. 9)
über Luther: “Luther knew that anger was his besetting sin. At times he was ‘proud and arrogant—as you see in my books that I despise my adversaries. I take them for fools... Wrath just will not let go of me.’” (p. 43)

über Charakter:
Calvin: “My life ought to provide some sort of example to others. Therefore I take pains to live in such a way that my character and conduct do not conflict with what I teach.” (p. 97)

(Only read the Accelerate version.)

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, short biographies of four great Reformers and preachers. The title may lead some to expect “testimonies” in the more popular evangelical use of the word and large portions of the subject’s writings. While Calhoun does make extensive use of such material, he weaves the men’s words into the tales of their lives and gives those words context and an historical structure. He does this very well, in my opinion, and I felt very much like I was hearing their stories from one who knew them well. But, if a reader were expecting more of a compilation of excerpts from these great men, such a reader might be disappointed. The book is a quick read and well worth the time, especially as an introduction to its subject’s lives, but it could probably have been a little more accurately titled.

[Hayden Olberding · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing how the reformers and Puritans are constantly boxed in for their doctrine and bland teachings. This work has been useful to show it strictly wasn’t knowledge and doctrine that moved these men, but it was being visited by Christ. How much more needed in times of persecution is security in our savior the facts about Him. At times it’s more beneficial to skip the doctrine and be moved by their stories.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this pocket book. It included all the depth of Christian history, but wrote it in an easy and accessible way which any layperson could understand and benefit from. I also enjoyed the various personal writings of the reformers themselves. Great book :)

[Nathanael Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite what I was expecting, but nonetheless was this book an incredibly encouraging one. To see the work of God's grace in the lives of these great men is certainly something to fill the heart with joy.

[Miles Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short charming set of biographical vignettes on major Reformed evangelical figures. The chapters on Calvin and Knox are particularly good.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Calhoun of Covenant Seminary has written four short biographies of Luther, Calvin, Knox and John Bunyan “in their own words.” He uses their own writings to describe their interesting and often tumultuous lives. Both Luther and Bunyan were plagued with sensitive souls and often doubted their salvation. Knox lived in a castle and pastored murderers and Calvin longed to be “free from the burden and care” of pastoral ministry, and yet kept being drawn back in. All believed the words of Luther, “The Christian lives by faith alone rather than by the merit of good works aimed at pacifying God.”