Let Truth Prevail

This book is, for all intents and purposes, an academic text exploring the beginnings of the restoration/reformation movements in Europe. There is an indirect tie-in to the Stone-Campbell movement in the United States of which I am a product of; so I found this history an extremely interesting review of how the various schismatic communities development the various beliefs that they came to hold. Each chapter introducing a movement and some of the founders and/or main players in the movement evolution. This includes something of a compare and contract against the predominant Catholic view as well as other Protestant churches … and it is remarkable how they will nearly all in alignment except for a few specific disagreements and it was the subsequent persecution that forced some of the major changes/conflicts. The author then sums up the chapter in a Legacy section that talks about where they went from there and closes with “Questions for Thought or Discussion” and a ton of reference notes. While some of the list of names and dates typical of a history text can be tough slogging, the terms and language used were clear and easily accessible/understood.

<spoiler>Introduction: The Concept of Restoration

Chapter 1: Setting the Stage: The Medieval Church and the Need for Reformation “in Head and in Members”
Chapter 2: “To Obey God Rather than Men”: The Waldensians
Chapter 3: “Truth Prevails over All”: The Czech Reformation Part 1
Chapter 4: “Jesus Christ, the Best Lawgiver”: The Czech Reformation Part 2
Chapter 5: “Faith, Love, and Hope”: The Unity of the Brethren (Unitas Fratrum)
Chapter 6: “For the Greater Glory of God”: The Protestant and Catholic Reformations of the Sixteenth Century
Chapter 7: “Given, Surrendered, and Sacrificed Wholly to God”: Evangelical Anabaptists Part 1
Chapter 8: “Overthrowing Religion and Civil Order”: Evangelical Anabaptists Part 2
Chapter 9: “A Personal Religion of the Heart”: Pietism, Schwarzenau Brethren, and the Moravian Brethren
Chapter 10: “No Such Thing as a National Church”: Scottish Restorationists

Afterword: “Yet More Truth to Break Forth from His Holy Word” </spoiler>

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#LetTruthPrevail #NetGalley.

I picked up this book to fill in the blanks in my understanding of the early European restoration and reformist movements. The book did not disappoint. The author was clear that he was not giving us an in-depth study on every movement and made no apologies for those he left out. He has, however, given us a glimpse of the exciting, turbulent, traumatic and perilous times of the early restorationists. His summation of their legacy on today’s churches is helpful and gives us good insight into why many of us do the things we do and who we have to thank for them. Many of these early movements did not survive the persecution and infighting. Still, as the author quoted, “A failure to fully implement an ideal does not in and of itself invalidate the ideal.” (Ferguson, Early Church).

This book aids the lessons we should learn not to be so arrogant as to assume that how we interpret the New Testament writings on the early church is correct and the only way. But remember to love one another and patiently work through these truths. “While God’s truth does not change, our limited perception of it should change as our understanding grows. Our conclusions today may not be the same conclusions we reach tomorrow. Additionally, we should show forbearance toward those who have not yet come to the same conclusions we have. Perhaps tomorrow they will.”

When considering matters of my personal faith, I look for an answer from the past. One of those instances is when I consider how much of the Ancient Church should I base my own faith on. Diles book provided the answer in that I am not alone in this quest to seek the faith of the early Christians. People who purchase this book, will be in for a treat and a fast trip through the human history of the Church and the members who have sought to bring Christianity to its ancient roots. I would highly recommend this book to those who also may be seeking these same roots.

Let Truth Prevail is a survey of reform movements within the European church. The premise, which I agree with, is that over time the church tends to drift from its true mission and calling and God will bring along reformers and reform movements that will serve as course correctors. Sometimes these movements will spring from and remain within the larger church. Other times they will break off to create new churches and denominations.

Diles examines many of these movements, places them within their historical context, and then points out the strengths and weaknesses in each. Some of these movements I was more familiar with than others, but each is presented in a way that is readable, informative, and without any glaring bias. At the end of each chapter are reflection questions that would make this a good book for reading clubs, small groups, or as an undergrad textbook. The book was definitely worth my time and anyone interested in church history would do well to have it in their library.