The Reviews are IN ! See what others are saying about “Top Ten Christians”-

(Authors Note: Our book, both the paperback and the ebook, is now available for purchase via www.truthbookpublishersstore.com  and  http://buy.christianbookstoday.org/ .  Thank you.)

The following are excerpts from a few of the book reviews we’ve received from pastors and other Christian leaders and writers:

“The ‘Top Ten Most Influential Christians’ is an excellent compilation of history. It contains concise but informative snapshots of the lives of people who have changed the way people view the Word of God. It sheds light on the ‘why’s’ of  major and minor divisions in widespread beliefs of Christianity and the men who helped cement religious ways of thinking without author bias. It also goes further and includes more knowledge nuggets with the next 11-20. This easy read is a great reference of history without digging up into volumes of biographies. To know where you are going, this book helps to know where you have been”  -  Rev. Dr. Jeff Lowe  (www.jdaniellowe.com)

“(This) book is just what the busy American  needs to understand and learn about the contributions of Christians from the  past to the present.  In this one book is a portable seminary to the great  Christian thinkers since the Apostles.  As a seminary chancellor I will  recommend this book to our students.  Your book is a blessing.”  – Bishop Maurice McCormick, Ed.D.,SCJ   (Chancellor – Agape Seminary)

“If the average church-goer had even a rudimentary understanding of the basics within Christianity, including understanding church history, their knowledge and appreciation of God would likely be far greater….This book is certainly by no means the be-all, end-all of all books on church history- and it does not purport to be that.  What it DOES do is present information to the average layperson in which their appetite for more will come alive!

In the end, Top Ten Most Influential Christians, is a book that I am glad to have added to my library.  It is a worthwhile resource, and one that I will undoubtedly refer to often.”

- Dr. Fred DeRuvo, pastor and author (Study-Grow-Know Ministries )

More reviews/ quotes will be added as they come in to us.  We’d like to Thank those of you who have taken the time to read and review our book.

Blessings,

Ken L.

Co-author on Christian Apologetics radio show- April 5th

(Authors Note: Our book, both the paperback and the ebook, is now available for purchase via www.truthbookpublishersstore.com, and http://buy.christianbookstoday.org/ .  Thank you.)

“Top Ten Christians” co-author Ken Lambert is pleased to be part of an upcoming talk radio show on Christian apologetics, on Thursday 4/5  at 5pm EST.  See http://my.blogtalkradio.com/csrachristianapologetics/2012/04/05/csra-christian-apologetics  for more information.  We welcome you to listen in and call in to be part of the discussion.  We will talk about many of the persons who made the “top 10″ list, and WHY they made this exclusive ranking.  Would they make your “list”?

This radio program is produced and directed by Pastor Timothy Jefferson, of the Greater Love Outreach Worship Center- in South Carolina.  Thanks for the invite, Pastor Tim!

Blessings,

Ken L.

And the 10th Most Influential Christian ever is- John Wycliffe

(Authors Note: our book, both the paperback and the ebook, will be available in the next couple weeks via www.truthbookpublishersstore.com, and http://buy.christianbookstoday.org/ .  More information pending.  Thank you.)

John Wycliffe was probably born in Yorkshire, England about 1320.  He died at Lutterworth in Leicestershire, England on December 31, 1384.

“You call me a heretic because I translated the Bible into the common tongue of the people.  Do you know whom you blaspheme?  Did not the Holy Ghost give the Word of God at first in the mother-tongue of the nations to whom it was addressed?  Why do you speak against the Holy Ghost?”  (Wycliffe)

John Wycliffe has correctly been called the “Morning Star of the Reformation.”  He was a powerful voice that spoke out against the errors being taught in the church.  Through his words and actions Wycliffe paved the way for many other church reformers who would follow in his footsteps, holding to the truth of God’s Word, even in the face of death.  His greatest work was translating the Bible into English.

Wycliffe was recently voted as the tenth most influential Christian (since the Apostles) by a multidenominational group of survey respondents.  Our book will highlight him, as well as the others who have most shaped today’s Christianity.  As always, comments are welcome.

Blessings,

Ken

Web Links for our Book Contributors-

For more information and background on the works of our authors, writers, and contributors to “Top Ten Most Influential Christians”, we offer the following web links that are affiliated with these men and women:

Ken Lambert:  www.believersbay.com

Abby Matzke:  http://www.thebranchesonline.info/

John-David Long Garcia:  http://www.catholicsun.org/

Harold Holmyard:  http://hcsb.org/pages/hcsbpages/About.aspx

Miriam Westen:  http://jesuscaritasest.blogspot.com/

Sandra Hovatter:  http://apprehendinggrace.com/

Nathanael Mayhew:  http://lutheranspokesman.org/author/mayhena/

Philip Stewart:  http://cogitatestheologicae.blogspot.com/

Norman Greve:  (one of numerous pastors at) http://clclutheran.org/

David Nichols:  http://denichols.blogspot.com/

Paul Nolting:  http://www.immanuelmankato.org/staff/

Joel Kutylowski:  www.artbyjoelk.com

**Please note that the links given are just to show some of the Christian or scholarly background of those involved in the book.  The churches, groups, or other organizations noted in the weblinks do not necessarily promote or endorse our Book.

Thank you and God Bless,

Ken L.

Book foreword from Professor Mark Harstad (excerpt)-

The following is a selected portion of the Foreword for “Top Ten Most Influential Christians (since the Apostles)”-

“Many have pointed out that knowledge of History in general among Americans is at an alarming low point. The reasons for the decline may be many…

Knowledge of the basics of Christian Theology is also in alarming decline. Secularized mass education has cut off many from the religious legacy of the western cultural tradition. Large numbers of Americans are now reaching young adulthood without having acquired the most rudimentary knowledge of Bible History, Church History, or the foundational teachings of the Christian faith such as the Trinity, the incarnation, and redemption provided by the Son of God in human flesh.

When we put History and Theology together we have identified an area in which lack of awareness and dearth of comprehension flourish in our culture.

But the faithful have always confronted a world characterized by ignorance and rejection of the things eternal and spiritual. The confessors of the past have ever been lonely voices crying in a barren spiritual wilderness. From faithful Noah with tools in hand building his ark on dry land, to the Prophet Elijah at Mt. Carmel confronting the four hundred prophets of Baal, to St. Athanasius at Nicaea standing against the world, to Dr. Martin Luther at Worms standing in opposition to the might of pope and emperor, the pictures that emerge are remarkable in their similarity.

Here is a work which helps us to move beyond “cursing the darkness.”…. The study of the lives of real people, their struggles, their hopes, their failures and accomplishments, has long been a useful tool in the educator’s toolbox.

The compilers of this book have put into our hands a helpful tool. It will serve to stimulate interest and critical thought, and to introduce young minds to the heritage which has been handed down to us from the past. May it prove to be beneficial to many.”

Professor Mark O. Harstad

Division of Religious Studies

Bethany Lutheran College, Minnesota

Current Courses being taught by Professor Harstad include:

Hebrew 1 & 2 **  Psalms & Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament **  Intertestament Period **  Israels History

Lambert to be featured on Author’s radio show -Monday Noon EST-

Ken Lambert will be featured in a 30 minute show geared towards writers and others in the publishing business, to speak about the book itself and the logistics of writing, editing, and marketing.  Please follow the link below-

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/informationinanutshell/2012/02/27/author–ken-lambert

We thank Felice Gerwitz, the host and an industry expert, for asking us to be on-air.

Blessings,

Ken L.

The 11th Most Influential Christian of all time is…. King Henry 8th

So close now to our thought-provoking “Top 10″ list of Christians, since/after the Apostles.

Just missing the “Ten”, King Henry 8th was crowned head of the British monarchy in 1509, and was largely responsible for thrusting the English nation into internal strife and breaking apart formally from Rome and the Pope.  In 1538 Henry VIII issued a proclamation ordering “one book of the whole Bible of the largest volume in English” placed in every church in England. The declaration directed the clergy to put the Bible “in some convenient place whereas your parishioners may most commodiously resort to the same and read it…” This had reversed an earlier royal decree which banned the English biblical translation.

It is widely known that King Henry, who the Pope had in previous years deemed “the defender of the Faith”, had sought an annulment from the Pope regarding his marriage to his first wife. Rome rejected his wishes and as such the King, who was already in love with his soon-to-be 2nd wife, declared that he did not need the Pope to receive an annulment or a divorce, and at that point established himself (and the monarch) to be the official head of the Church of England, rather than the Pope. During this time, in the early to mid 16th century, many countries, factions, and groups were breaking from Rome and the Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation was in full swing, led by persons like Luther in Germany, Henry in England, Calvin, and others. The king clearly had “other” reasons (unlike Luther and Calvin) to reject the Pope, but with Luther and such they were all instrumental in a widespread opinion across western Europe that the Pope should not have authority over heads of States. In addition, there were many who felt that the Roman Catholic Church had significantly veered off the course of appropriate and Biblical Christianity.

The world, and the various denominations, still feels the effects of these early protests and divisions today.

King Henry is a good example of many of the others that are in the Top 10; not always the “holiest” per se, but a charismatic “difference-maker” in the history of the universal Church nonetheless.  We welcome your comments and thoughts on this selection.  Thank you.

-Ken L.