S2 E4: When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther {Interview with Danika Cooley} – Reformed Faith and Family
If you haven’t celebrated Reformation Day before, this is the year to do it. If you are unfamiliar with Church history, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This historical moment is considered the spark of The Protestant Reformation. This monumental event is increasingly what many Christians celebrate on October 31st.
When the book When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther was first published by its author Danika Cooley from Thinking Kids Press, I could not wait to get a copy.
Our family has now read it twice, and we enjoy sharing our love of this historical fiction novel with friends. When Lightning Struck! is a book full of adventure and intrigue. It is based on the life of Martin Luther, a monk turned reformer. He never intended to cause a schism in the Church, but God used Luther to reveal the cancerous corruption that had grown in the Roman Catholic Church and brought the Scriptures to the common man through Luther’s translation of the Bible into German.
In a day where our youth are becoming increasingly ignorant of the people and events that form our Church History, Danika has brought to life this real-life, epic adventure in which fresh eyes might become familiar with ancient truths. Church history IS important. For Christians the invisible church is our family – our ancestors, our roots. Our faith is encouraged by their victories and our hearts are warned by their failures. When we see how God works in and through His people, we grow in our understanding of who God is and our place and purpose in his story.
What Lessons Does This Story Based on the Life of Martin Luther Teach?
- CHURCH HISTORY: When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther covers a very important part of our Church History in a very exciting and engaging way. You can tell that Danika has spent years researching the life of Martin Luther. It is very thorough in its inclusion of historically documented accounts concerning the life of Martin Luther, the corruption of the Catholic Church, and the struggles of those living during the Medieval time period. My husband and I think of ourselves as being fairly well versed in Church History and there were some events that I didn’t even know had happened in the life of Martin Luther. It is both entertaining and educational, not just for the kids, but for us as adults as well.
- LIFE LESSONS: Danika did not pull punches when it came to Martin Luther’s flaws. The man had a temper, but you can see how God used Martin Luther’s flaws for God’s ultimate glory. This is a fantastic lesson for children to see how God can use them no matter their abilities or limitations. We are all sinners saved by God’s grace. God can and does use us in our redeemed, yet still being sanctified state to do His work. This is a humbling truth.
- THE GOSPEL: In When Lightning Struck! you will be confronted with the Gospel over and over again. Danika pulls you into Martin Luther’s struggle between works versus God’s grace for salvation. You become indignant alongside Martin Luther as you read of the corruption in the Catholic Church. You will find yourself deeply saddened by the heart-wrenching trials faced by those trying to preserve the Gospel, while at the same time elated at God’s victories through them. This is not just an adventure story. When Lightning Struck! gives insight into the life of Martin Luther and all those who supported him to bring God’s Word to the people and out from under the thumb of the Catholic Church.
When Lightning Struck! is for the Whole Family
Are you familiar with the term “living books”? I was first introduced to this term as a homeschooler. In the homeschool world we hear it mentioned often in both the Classical and Charlotte Mason methods of education. A living book is one that is highly engaging. It is written on a specific subject and in a conversational or narrative style, bringing the subject to life. A living book stands in stark contrast to a textbook which contains all of the information on one subject but is often written in a very dry, structured style just to convey basic facts and information pertaining to the subject.
When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther is a living book in every sense of the term. Danika has such a passion for the Gospel and how God preserved it through the life of Martin Luther. By reading this story aloud as a family or handing it to your older child for some independent reading, you can feel confident that you are adding a historically-accurate, Gospel-affirming, educational resource to your home library.
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!
For a limited time only you can order the Reformation Family Book Bundle that includes Danika Cooley’s Who What Why? Protestant Reformation Series for elementary aged children, as well as When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther. As if this isn’t enough, these copies will be autographed by the author herself. Order your copy today while supplies last!
Just interested in When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther?
Click here to order your copy today!
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