Alan Olsan's Caspar Schwenckfeld: Between Tyranny and Anarchy tells the semi-historical account of one of the lesser known characters of the 16th Century Protestant Reformation. Developed from letters, pamphlets and other writings of Schwenckfeld's, the book tells the all-too-human story of real life reformers -- their hopes, dreams and fears. It's an intriguing account for historians, but it also offers a rich account of the very roots of the Reformation in the deep biblical disagreements that formed the heart of the movement.
Schwenckfeld was a nobleman born in the province that now encompasses modern western Poland, an early follower of Martin Luther. After Caspar's own conversion, he brought Lutheranism to Poland, and quickly gained the approval of Luther himself. After some converts began to abuse Luther's notion of "justification by grace alone" -- and over a deep disagreement of the nature of the Lord's Supper -- Schwenckfeld broke with Luther.
But this book is more than an historical account. It offers a glimpse into the deep theological readings of Scripture that spurred Schwenckfeld to continue the Reformation in Poland long after his break with Luther.
That makes this little book a must-read.
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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.