The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Latimer and Cranmer Bitesized

I like the series of Bitesize biographies EP are putting out. I recently read the ones on the English Reformers Hugh Latimer and Thomas Cranmer. The two writers stick to their remit in presenting their subjects in a straightforward way over just over 100 pages but differ in approach. Richard Hannula, an American, is a High School principal and he writes giving us the story in seven chapters (with Grisham-like headings - The convert, preacher, parson, bishop, outcast restored, trial, stake) each with a Bible text. He is aiming at a 15 year old and up I guess. He gives a one page summary at the end. Both books include an intro, a timeline and a bibliography. Colin Hamer aims to be more analytical, his eight chapters being followed by an assessment in Chapter 9. He also has a preface and an author's note. His slightly more academic approach manages to avoid footnotes but requires a glossary at the back. Hamer brings out well how Cranmer's thinking developed.
Both books were useful in reminding me of important reformers of the past and their example. It made me pull down D C Wood's old Such a candle and send for MacCulloch's fat volume on Cranmer. But will I get round to reading them.

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