One Who Believed: True Stories of Faith
Author: Robert B Pamplin, Jr.
Publisher: Newberg, Oregon: Christ Community Church
213
pages
Reviewed by Rev. Garth
Wehrfritz-Hanson
The author of this volume, Dr.
Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. is a pastor, businessman, and farmer. He has written a
number of books, and has earned eight degrees.
In the introduction, he states the purpose
of this work: “These mini-biographies dramatically describe the life of
practicing Christians, living and deceased, and the impact faith had on their
lives. Many of the subjects were—or are—prominent individuals whose
accomplishments have made them of interest as a story. Others are individuals
who may not be well known, yet their story is remarkable.” (p. 3)
The volume consists of sixty
mini-biographies of Christians from a wide range of backgrounds, denominations,
nationalities, etc. Two of my favourites are Corrie ten Boom and Johann
Sebastian Bach. Dr. Pamplin notes that the ten Booms hid persecuted Jews during
World War II, and were sent to a concentration camp where both Corrie’s dad and
sister died. It was Corrie’s faith that kept her going: “The ground upon which
I build my faith is not in me, but is in the faithfulness of God.” (p. 63) Johann
Sebastian Bach was one of the greatest composers of all time. He was a devout
Lutheran, and dedicated much of his life’s work to improving church music with
his compositions for organ, choir and congregational singing. Of course his St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion bear witness to Bach’s
deep faith in Christ, “…works considered by some to be the most marvelous
masterpieces ever written.” (p. 176)
This volume is an easy read, and would most
likely inspire Christians of all ages, and perhaps be of interest to some
non-Christians as well.
At the end of the work, there is a Credits section, listing over fifty
sources upon which the mini-biographies were based—material worth consulting
for further reading.
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