Customer Reviews

Martyrs Mirror: The Story of Seventeen Centuries of Christian Martyrdom From the Time of Christ to A.D. 1660

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I rated Martyrs Mirror a 9 only because I can't justify putting it alongside the bible, so I placed it just beneath the only #10. The Martyrs Mirror will alter the course of your life, whether you are religious or not. Actually, it will probably make you ashamed and prompt you to closely examine yourself. Other than the Amish and Mennonite people, I have never known anyone who has read this stirring book. Even among the Amish, I have met only one person who has read it through completely. I read it seven years ago and my life has never been the same. It may take a year or two to finish it, and you may encounter difficulties with the certain portions of it. It is within the confines of these difficult sections, such as the lenghty letters written from various prisons, that you will uncover perfect gems. I readily admit that there are some impediments to reading thiis book, such as time, and the antiquated language, but life itself has impediments also. It is not the mountains that stop us, but rather the pebble in our shoe. Don't let the heaviness of this book be a pebble in your shoe... let it be a gem in your life.

This book provides a history of solid Christian doctrine and martyrdom from the time of Christ to 1660. The book includes moving letters and testimonies of those waiting to be burned, to their friends and relatives. When you complete the nearly 1200 pages, you'll wish there were more. This book is a must for anyone wishing to research, or prepare for persecution.

I am reading this book with fascination. It is a must read and an eye opener for anyone who wishes to discover the history of the church of the middle ages. This book will uncover years of history not discussed in most religious universities and churches today. The writers of this book discuss the Church of God and its history. Sabbatarians will find it useful in discovering that the Waldenses and Moravian/Bohemian Brethren were related, actually, the same peoples. There are many references to the church of God and how the church of God was persecuted and pronounced anathema. The number of martyrs are in in the multiples of thousands. 4000 known names, but references to 10s, 20s, 50s, 100s martyred by various methods as horrifying as it may seem, christians killing christians in the name of Jesus Christ who died for us all. Anyone desiring to know the truth about this history, specific facts retold in minute detail about the many who died for their faith. After the Bible itself, this ranks as one of the most important reference works to assist, encourage and enlighten the christian who feels that this time is stressful. Here are people who gave their lives for their beliefs. Their walk with God was one where they literally gave their all.

Martyr's Mirror is an excellent history of more than 4,000 martyrs, spanning from the time of Christ through the mid- 17th century. The governments, churches, and doctrines of the Anabaptists, the Protestants, and the Catholics are explained through dialogues and commentary. This inspirational compilation not only contains accounts of actual martyrdom, but also letters from the martyrs as well as background information on the era and location. Contrary to Foxe's Book of Martyrs, Martyr's Mirror does not include acts of willful suicide as martyrdom. To see how the Holy Spirit can give Christians strength to "not love their lives so much as to shrink from death," read it for yourself!

Martyr's Mirror is a phenomenal work of Christian literature. I stumbled onto it a year ago and have not yet been able to put it down. It is amazing that a Sixteenth century Anabaptist could have conducted the research in one lifetime that obviously went into this - shows how excellent the libraries in Netherlands and Germany must have been at that time. Allows one to see the true heart of Anabaptism through the actual words and letters of true Anabaptists. This is an incredibly inspiring work for anyone who strives to understand the heart of Christian martyrs from the 1st to 16th centuries and the extent of the torments they faced. Absolutely gutwrenching reading - NOT for the faint of heart. I have read many such works and even though this one is written in difficult vernacular, there is none other I would recommend more highly for the reader seriously interested in martyrdom.

Think of this volume as exciting spiritual archaeology. Through those pages, you can look into the past, into the hearts of thousands who approached God differently, who approached the world differently, who approached their salvation differently, than perhaps anyone you've ever met. Even the spiritual heirs of these Anabaptists are usually troubled by the contrast between these lives and their own. As one 16th century woman said before giving her life at the stake, "What would you do for your faith? not much, I think. Hence repent, before you are brought to shame." They don't make people like that anymore, but God can. Sample portions from this book can be found at homecomers.org or ccel.org.

.. persecution of Christians from the Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish) standpoint. The book was first published in Holland in 16th century, then translated into German in Pennsylvania early in the 19th century. The English translation came much later, probably because while present day Amish and more conservative Mennonites still speak Pennsylvanisch ("Pennsylvania Dutch"), derived from SW German and Swiss German dialects, most of them no longer read Hochdeutsch so well as English. In his excellent history of German migrations into southern Va. in colonial times ("The Virginia Germans"), Klaus Wust recounts how late in the Civil War immigrant German Union soldiers from Illinois were shocked when, in primitive cabins above the Shennendoah Valley (Allegheny side) they found copies of the Martyr's Mirror in German. In any case, the reader is treated to brief accounts of beheadings, burnings, and drownings without pause.

This is an excellent work and a great accompaniment to Foxes' Book of Martyrs. It is an enormous volume with much information I have not seen before.
I highly recommend it as an addition to every Christian's library, and to anyone studying the subject of martyrdom.

This book is used second only to the Holy Bible at our house. It is history that needs to be told, and gives insight into the lives of true born-again Christians from yesteryear. An example we should all follow.

Martyr's Mirror is a one-of-a-kind book, nothing else quite like it. As a pastor who likes to share credible stories on the lives and deaths of earlier Christian martyrs, I use it all the time. Others borrow it all the time. Great gift for pastor or teacher types too. Only downside: it's big and it's heavy! Also, if you demand modern language, you may not prefer the old language used, however I find this lends to the authenticity.