500 years ago, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Cathedral, beginning the Reformation. The subsequent events transformed the world forever, shaking the foundations of the oppressive titan of its time, the Roman Catholic Church. Antonio de la Cruz tells his story, a young prodigy trained as an inquisitor to defend the Holy Mother Church from people like Martin Luther and the enemies of the faith. When Antonio discovers what lies behind the Holy Inquisition: the diabolical tortures, the incessant terror covering the continent, and the hypocrisy of the Curia, he wonders, Is truth defended with the sword? Would Jesus identify with such abominations? Is it worth dying for the truth? Christopher R. Mattix is a missionary, speaker, professor, and broadcaster born in Camiri, Bolivia. He received his double degree in Theology, with honors, from Emmaus Bible College in the USA. Based in Bolivia, he frequently travels to teach and preach on his favorite topics, which include biblical exposition, history, and apologetics.
It is a well-written historical novel that adds a human touch to a turbulent period in history. The protagonist, Antonio de la Cruz, is a Spaniard who found himself immersed in the religious persecution of the Holy Inquisition, as well as in the dawn of the Reformation.
The book allows us to see up close the horrors of the Inquisition, as well as the corruption that prevailed in the Roman church in the 16th century.
At the same time, in that dark context, the glorious truths of the gospel, discovered by Antonio, shine through. Furthermore, the book allows us to accompany the reformer Martin Luther in his dangerous work of bringing to light the true message of Christ.
The author makes it very clear that the gospel is a treasure of such great value that it is worth even giving one's life for it. The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard rightly said: "The tyrant dies and his reign ends, the martyr dies and his begins."
As we celebrate 500 years of the Reformation, this book makes a valuable contribution to the celebration of such an important event. It will help many to appreciate and understand with greater clarity the meaning of those great events that changed history.
