Thomas Cranmer, one of the Reformation's most famous martyrs, can accurately be described as the architect of the Church of England and, consequently, of the worldwide Anglican communion. His involvement in England's break with the historic Roman Church was crucial - a break which formed the foundation for the freedom of the gospel in England for the next 450 years.
However, although we so often want to see our heroes as giants, able to cope with every situation life throws at them without faltering, Cranmer often compromised or prevaricated when faced with difficult situations. In the end, however, he was prepared to make the supreme sacrifice for his faith.
In this short biography we have a 'warts and all' assessment of his life from the perspective of a twenty-first-century evangelical Christian - that is, someone who accepts the Bible as the final authority on what God requires of men and women in this life. It is a term that Cranmer, as he neared his famous, dreadful and glorious end, would have been happy to have applied to himself.
However, although we so often want to see our heroes as giants, able to cope with every situation life throws at them without faltering, Cranmer often compromised or prevaricated when faced with difficult situations. In the end, however, he was prepared to make the supreme sacrifice for his faith.
In this short biography we have a 'warts and all' assessment of his life from the perspective of a twenty-first-century evangelical Christian - that is, someone who accepts the Bible as the final authority on what God requires of men and women in this life. It is a term that Cranmer, as he neared his famous, dreadful and glorious end, would have been happy to have applied to himself.
