Protestants

On the 500th anniversary of Luther’s theses a landmark history of the revolutionary faith that shaped the modern world. Ryrie writes that his aim is to persuade you that we cannot understand the modern age without understanding the dynamic history of Protestant Christianity. To which I reply Mission accomplished. –Jon Meacham author of American Lion and Thomas Jefferson Five hundred years ago a stubborn German monk challenged the Pope with a radical vision of what Christianity could be. The revolution he set in motion toppled governments upended social norms and transformed millions of peoples understanding of their relationship with God. In this dazzling history Alec Ryrie makes the case that we owe many of the rights and freedoms we have cause to take for grantedfrom free speech to limited governmentto our Protestant roots. Fired up by their faith Protestants have embarked on courageous journeys into the unknown like many rebels and refugees who made their way to our shores. Protestants created America and defined its special brand of entrepreneurial diligence. Some turned to their bibles to justify bold acts of political opposition others to spurn orthodoxies and insight on their Godgiven rights. Above all Protestants have fought for their beliefs establishing a tradition of principled opposition and civil disobedience that is as alive today as it was 500 years ago. In this engrossing and magisterial work Alec Ryrie makes the case that whether or not you are yourself a Protestant you live in a world shaped by Protestants.