The Blood of Martyrs

The rest is history

THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS &
THE BIRTH OF EUROPE
By Leigh Churchill
Paternoster. 273 & 285 pages. £9.99 each
ISBN 1 84227 080 X and 1 84227 081 8

The Blood of Martyrs and The Birth of Europe are the first two of four books by Leigh Churchill on the history of the Christian church. They cover up to AD 397 and from AD 398 to 999 respectively.

Leigh Churchill will strike a note with many Christians when he says: 'Church history can be a forbidding subject. A dry catalogue of councils and theologians must always seem rather uninspiring... It is the author's conviction that a great story can live forever in the imagination, while a string of dates will be as soon forgotten as learnt.'

He keeps to his conviction as he takes us on a roller coaster ride with vivid stories of the best known names in church history, whilst expertly keeping the overall picture in view. This style ensures that the books are an easy read, for adults and teens alike.

A reference to his source material at the end of each chapter is a helpful guide to any who want to dig a little deeper.

Choosing great stories to guide us through church history does, however, have its pitfalls. Many of the stories are memorable because they are either remarkable or miraculous. This gives the impression of the church marching forward on dreams, visions and miracles galore. It is a relief when we are reminded that the story of Brendan's voyage in the C6 is legend rather than history. No other guidance is given, however, as to how historically reliable each story is, but then that's why the books read so well!

As in most church histories, as the story unfolds of emperors, monks, kings and popes, I felt increasingly cheated that the real church has slipped quietly out of sight, subtly replaced by religious husks.

On a positive note, I cheered out loud at Leigh Churchill's outspoken clarity on Islam, which was so refreshing. A most enjoyable read, but don't swallow everything, will you?

Mick Lockwood, Keighley

© Evangelicals Now - November 2001
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