There Have Always Been Dissenters

If you read this blog, then you are probably a dissenter of one type or another. Specifically, there's a good chance that you dissent against many of man's traditions that have dominated church practice ever since Constantine.

You are not alone in your dissent. In fact, there have always been dissenters.

I just concluded reading E. H. Broadbent's classic work The Pilgrim Church. In this book, the author traces the history of dissenters within Christ's church from the early days until modern times. This text is loaded with information (over 400 pages). It's a fascinating look at how some followers of Christ, no matter how severe the persecution, have throughout the ages determined to follow the biblical model for church life. Not surprisingly, many of the dissenters were either killed or disparaged for their practices.

I found this book very encouraging. It's nice to know that the desire to follow Christ's model for his church is not some new fad. Rather, it is what many of Jesus' followers have been doing for hundreds of years. Broadbent discusses in great detail the lives of various Christian dissenters; the book is a rich resource to look up almost any Christian who dared rebel against the church powers-that-be.

Because of its length, I did not read the book straight through. I read some chapters and skimmed through others. I plan to use this text for years to come in order to better come to know those who have gone before us. You will not regret ordering it.

A big thanks to my friend Norm for suggesting it.