Lauren Ducommun

Book Review: Redemption: The Church in Ancient Times, Reign: The Church in the Middle Ages, Reform: The Church at the Birth of Protestantism, & Renewal: The Church That Expands Outwards by Luke H. Davis
Christian Focus Publications, 2022-2024

Sometimes, church history can be very, very dry. But Luke Davis has brought it to life through his biographical stories of men and women through different eras of church history. There are currently four books in the eye-catching Risen Hope series by Christian Focus Publications, with the final one in the series coming out in March 2024.

What sets these books apart is the fact that they are written as engaging narratives, more akin to novels than traditional biographies. They have a similar feel to the beloved Childhood of Famous American series. Because of this, they are perfect for family read-alouds, but are also books I’d give to my ten-year-old to read on his own.

As someone who is passionate about introducing younger generations to the rich history of the church, I’m thrilled to have discovered this series. Davis has chosen prominent individuals from each era, shining a light on important figures who are often overlooked by other biographers. By bringing their stories to life, readers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of those who lived during different times in history.

If you’re a fan of Richard Hannula’s books or are looking for a great addition to your homeschool curriculum, I highly recommend the Risen Hope series. It’s an excellent and accessible introduction to church history that is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

1. Redemption: The Church in Ancient Times

This volume shares about the lives of Christian men from 3 BC to 476 AD. There is a list of important moments in church history, maps from that time period, along with several fact files.

2. Reign: The Church in the Middle Ages

The second volume covers 476 – 1485 AD, a time period that is often neglected in church history. The majority of the biographies are of men, with Julian of Norwich being the first biography of a woman in this series.

3. Reform: The Church at the Birth of Protestantism

This book covers the years 1485 – 1600, a time period often referred to as the Protestant Reformation. Many of these Christian lost their lives as they challenged the doctrine of that time.

4. Renewal: The Church that Expands Outwards

The most recently released volume covers biographies of men and women from 1600 – 1890. The book focuses on the expansion of the Church through preachers, missionaries, and Christians standing against social injustice.

5. Resolve: The Church that Endures Onwards

Coming soon! This book will cover the years from 1890 to 2023!

The publisher sent me this book in exchange for an honest review.