tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post1806023626348163572..comments2024-02-11T10:58:23.271-08:00Comments on Reading to Know: Foxe's Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, edited by W. Grinton BerryCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08772667430500306088noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-56873235573432019032012-12-11T08:12:46.191-08:002012-12-11T08:12:46.191-08:00Just now reading this review in 2012. While Foxes...Just now reading this review in 2012. While Foxes Book of Martyrs may seem dramatic, one must remember the era in which it was written. Foxe wasn't writing in 21st century English. This style was expected for an author whose intended audience was very broad - the lower classes as well as those in nobility. We have reduced our language and style to "texting" bites and have little appreciation for the eloquence demanded of scholars of the 15th and 16th centuries. Regarding his exile to Germany, this was actually quite common. Why wouldn't he remove himself from danger?<br />When reading works of history one must take into consideration the full context in which it is written and in which the author is living to appreciate its elements.Pjeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06010723141215105280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-84554032396460198552008-08-09T06:50:00.000-07:002008-08-09T06:50:00.000-07:00I've had this on the shelf for years but haven't r...I've had this on the shelf for years but haven't read it. I don't have the stomach for it, I don't think, though I feel like part of honoring these martyrs is to "not look away," if you know what I mean...<BR/><BR/>I felt similar after watching 'The Passion of the Christ.' Such a dwelling on the gore seems... prurient. Yet as you say, it makes the point that our freedom costs. A lot. <BR/><BR/>Maybe there's a value in having my insulated existence broken through by books like this. But I do have a hard time with them, and have trouble getting the images out of my mind for a long time afterward.<BR/><BR/>Great review. Thanks for your honesty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-1695547512584606132008-08-07T10:44:00.000-07:002008-08-07T10:44:00.000-07:00Great review Carrie, as always.I sympathize with s...Great review Carrie, as always.<BR/><BR/>I sympathize with some of your points: Foxe seems to be making a Hollywood of sorts out of these martyrs with his grandiose verbiage.<BR/><BR/>I do believe it is good to read lives of the saints before us, but I am wary of focusing too much on martyrdom. It is not some special merit badge Christians can earn.<BR/><BR/>I know as a child I was read countless stories about missionaries who gave up everything and went to remote villages with the Gospel. I, and many other kids I'm sure, totally believed <I>that</I> was the way to <I>truly</I> server God, I mean, if you <I>really</I> loved Him. Staying in your home town, and being an honest business man and wife and parents was some lesser form of godliness.<BR/><BR/>I would hate to have my children fantasizing about glorious deaths for Christ, and feel like lesser-Christians if they never get there...return home gnomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12395345022200253380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-67511513789676988062008-08-04T12:37:00.000-07:002008-08-04T12:37:00.000-07:00I received this book as a present, and I'm glad I ...I received this book as a present, and I'm glad I did. It's an important book. However, I've never really wanted to read it.Ronnicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545460026004087995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-47755774038023839502008-08-04T05:47:00.000-07:002008-08-04T05:47:00.000-07:00Thanks for the review. I have to say, I haven't ch...Thanks for the review. I have to say, I haven't changed my mind. I still have no desire to read Foxe's Book of Martyrs... in fact I abhor anything gory... which this book has plenty... so I think I'll just know they all died horrible horrible deaths and thank God that He gives us the grace to handle what we must. 'Nuff said.Sarah M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com