About the Book –
Samuel Rutherford was 36 years old when he was exiled to Aberdeen, feeling that he was ‘an outcast and withered tree.’ He had served the little church at Anwoth in Galloway faithfully, but in those August days of 1636 he seems to have felt for a while that his useful service was over.
Little could he have known that his exile would end in less than two years when Scotland rose up to resist the king’s domination of the church. He could hardly have imagined that he would serve a key role in reasserting biblical doctrine, worship and government to the Scottish church. He would also play an important part in the Westminster Assembly, defining Christian doctrine for much of the English-speaking world for centuries to come, and nearly two dozen influential books would flow from his pen, winning the admiration of the Reformed churches of Britain and the Continent. He would even have the most prestigious universities in the Netherlands and Scotland clamor to have him fill their chairs of divinity, and as a professor of theology, he would mold the minds of a generation of Scottish pastors and theologians.
Alexander Whyte wrote, “No man of his age in broad Scotland stood higher as a scholar, a theologian, a controversialist, a preacher and a very saint than Samuel Rutherford.”
Nor could Rutherford have envisioned in his wildest dreams that a collection of letters that he sent to friends from his exile in Aberdeen would rank among the most beloved Christian classics, a timeless source of spiritual inspiration to millions of readers.
About the Author –
Mr. Richard Hannula received a B.A. in history from the University of Southern California and was selected for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Mr. Hannula holds a master’s in education from the University of Washington.
He is the author of Our Northwest Heritage: A History of the Pacific Northwest from a Christian Perspective and Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History.
He serves as principal of Covenant High School (in Tacoma, WA) and also teaches history, math, and speech. Richard Hannula, his wife, and their five children reside in University Place, Washington.
My Review – Having read ‘The Letters of Samuel Rutherford’ several times, I can’t help but enthusiastically recommend Richard Hannula’s Bitesize Biography verison of Samuel Rutherford. Rutherford is quickly becoming one of my earthly pastoral ‘heroes’. Letters should be required reading for every seminary student entering pastoral ministry. Forget church growth technique. Throw out ‘seeker-sensitive’ models. Abandon all things business-esque that one thinks will grow and run a church. Instead, be introduced to the grand Mr. Rutherford and pastor like he did.
‘Hang upon the Word but with all to look beyond the Word and with the use of the Word, call for the inward grace of the Spirit.’ (Rutherford, page 32) Rutherford would implore his congregation at Anwoth to be soaked with the Word, but always with the aim to see Christ, the Living Word Himself. He loved Christ above all things and would commend this same love to his flock: ‘I had but one joy out of heaven next to Christ my Lord, and that was to preach Him.’ (Rutherford, page 35) How it grieved him when, during his early years at Anwoth, he saw little fruit: ‘I see exceedingly small fruit of my ministry. I would be glad of one soul to be my crown of joy on the day of Christ.’ (Rutherford, page 39) [My copy is littered with Post-It Notes® marking quote after quote.] Christ was everything to Rutherford, never more so than just prior to his home-going: ‘But Christ is to me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.’ (Rutherford, page 131) His last words, just prior to death were: ‘O for a well-tuned harp.’ and ‘Glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel’s land.’ (Rutherford, pages 131, 132)
Rutherford was known by his colleagues in Scotland as a great pastor, preacher and theologian. He lived in that topsy-turvy time of the 17th century, when England’s throne ruled over Scotland but Scotland’s church would have none of England’s bishops’ rule over them. They were exciting days, challenging days, dangerous days and foundational days. Rutherford was in the thick of it almost from the beginning, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
Discover how God used Rutherford, amidst physical weakness and great trials (he lost several children and one wife during his life time). Find out what made this man’s heart beat with such passion for Christ. And then go deeper, as Hannula provides further reading resources for your exploration in the future. Again, I would commend ‘The Letters of Samuel Rutherford’ to you as well. You’ll never be the same again.
Get your hands on this bitesize biography right away.
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Samuel Rutherford may be purchased at…
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cross Focused Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
