Patron Saints for Postmoderns: Ten from the Past Who Speak to Our Future
"Taken together these 'patron saints' become a most valuable 'cloud of witnesses' for the many and varied circumstances of Christian believers in our own day. Careful reading of this well-crafted book will pay rich rewards." (Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame)"For those who have been tempted to think that Christian history has little to teach the contemporary church,Patron Saints for Postmodernsmay come as a delightful and unexpected surprise. In his beautifully crafted and well-researched volume, Chris Armstrong provides his readers with a winsome and convincing argument for the continued relevance of the past. Patron Saints for Postmodernsis both a treasure trove of valuable insight and a genuine joy to read." (Garth M. Rosell, professor of church history, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)"The church in America has no lack of novelty. Bloated with self-referential congratulations, our American Christendom needs a hearty dose of wisdom. InPatron Saints for Postmoderns,professor Chris Armstrong tells the stories of ten flawed yet wise historical figures who incarnated the gospel afresh at a pivotal time in the life of the church, each offering a glimpse of how we might critically bring flesh to the gospel in our own pivotal era." (Mark Van Steenwyk, founder of Missio Dei and and general editor of www.JesusManifesto.com)"Lives have consequences, and Armstrong reminds us just how consequential our lives are. In ten crisply drawn portraits of saints whose lives resonate with our times, he challenges us to take our freedom with eternal seriousness." (David Neff, editor-in-chief, Christianity Today)"Saints can be off-putting and unapproachable figures, trapped in pious pictures and stained-glass windows. The pleasure of Christopher Armstrong's attractively written book is in seeing the very human, quirky side of some of the greatest heroes and heroines of the Christian story." (Philip Jenkins, author of The Lost History of Christianity)