book reviews - Christian Library Journal

ADULT NONFICTION
status quo, and would dream of something
bigger.
Michael Ramsey, M.A. Clayton, North Carolina.
John Hus. Worcester, Pa. : Vision Video,
1985.
DVD, 1563647834, list price: $19.99.
B or 921 or 284.3092. Hus, Jan, 1369?-1415;
Martyrs. 1 videodisc (55 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.
(Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French)
Grades 9-Adult. Rating : 5.
*
God's outlaw : the story of William
Tyndale / written by Ben Steed ; directed
by Tony Tew. Worcester, Pa. : Vision
Video, 1988.
DVD, 1563647370, list price: $29.99.
B or 921 or 274.2. Tyndale, William, d.1536. 1
videodisc (93 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. (Languages.:
English, Spanish, Portuguese, French)
Grades 9-Adult. Rating : *5.
Many dissatisfied people in the 15th and 16th
century worked slowly for church reform.
Others, such as William Tyndale and John Hus,
eagerly promoted salvation as totally through
faith in Jesus Christ. Tyndale and Hus translated
the Holy Scriptures, and wanted each person to
read the Bible in their own language. Vision
Video offers two films about these times: John
Hus : a Powerful, True Story, and God’s Outlaw
: the Story of William Tyndale.
Hus quoted Romans 4 and 5, as he preached in
a Bohemian chapel. He spoke of peace with
God through Jesus Christ. John Hus asked,
“Where does it say in Scriptures that a man can
buy his way into Heaven?” The established
church intensely disliked Hus. He was burned
at the stake on July 6, 1415. William Tyndale
also worked against the established church, and
the tradition of keeping all Scripture in Latin.
Tyndale wrangled with colorful Henry VIII, fled
to Europe, and was eventually betrayed.
Both DVD’s offer touching scenes. Hus
languishes in a filthy prison, and remembers his
mother’s teachings. Another encouraging scene
involved workmen preparing the stake and the
wood to burn John Hus. One worker marveled,
“He believes it’s not necessary to pay for a
blessing. He thinks faith is enough to be
forgiven.” That conversation should encourage
all Christians. Hus never met the workmen, yet
he influenced them greatly. While in prison,
Tyndale requested his friends to bring a warm
hood, and cloth to patch his leggings. He
especially wanted a Hebrew grammar. Such
was the man’s devotion to translating the
Scripture. He paid for his views at a fiery stake.
Excellent study materials are included in pdf
format.. I especially liked the articles linked to
Christian History magazine. Both films have
received significant awards, including
recognition from the Christian Film Distributors
Association.
Roberta Lou Jones, MDiv. Volunteer, Church Children’s Library,
Dexter, Kentucky.
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