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Summary: A History of A Scholar, His Book, And Book Learning
Review: A book can be a dangerous thing. Ask Salman Rushdie. While it is true that most of western society has a heritage of press freedom, and such a concept has not yet become part of all societies, we did not get to it easily. In the United States, one can publish whatever one wants about religious ideas, and no legal charge of blasphemy can result; in no small part, this is due to the fate of Michael Servetus, who was burned at the stake for writing about unacceptable religious ideas in 1553. He became a hero for such lights as Voltaire and Jefferson, and a foundation for the Unitarian Church. His story is vigorously told in Out of the Flames: The Remarkable Story of a Fearless Scholar, a Fatal Heresy, and One of the Rarest Books in the World (Broadway Books) by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. The Goldstones, who are book collectors, have made this a story of Servetus's physical books and of the history of publishing, as well as a history of intellectual progress against oppressive religious power.The "fatal heresy" in the title comes from Servetus's ideas that were not only anathema to the Catholic church, but were also detested by the Protestants that had adopted doctrine from the Catholics. Servetus, for instance, abhorred the idea of the Trinity, and being a supremely knowledgeable biblical scholar, knew there was nothing in the Bible about any such Trinity. He also had biblical arguments against original sin, childhood baptism, virgin birth, and predestination. Knowing his Bible, however, didn't save him. He had to hide from both Catholics and Protestants, and under an assumed identity, became a doctor. In this role, he made discoveries about the circulation of the blood that predated Harvey's by seventy-five years. John Calvin eventually colluded with the Catholic Church to catch Servetus, there was a show trial, and a horrid burning at the stake. Calvin also thought that all of Servetus's books had been burned, but three survived. He also survived as an inspiration for the Unitarian Church. The Goldstones have written a spellbinding biography of an important thinker. There are digressions here that always circle back to the main theme; an amazing description of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre is here, and appearances are made by many kings and queens, Newton, Liebnitz, Jonathan Swift, Ignatius Loyola, Emerson, William Osler, and many more. Reflecting their interest in book collecting, the Goldstones, starting with Gutenberg and winding up with the stories of the three remaining copies of Servetus's book, have also given a rousing history of books in western intellectual growth.
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Summary: A fearless scholor + an idea = a remarkable story
Review: How can a nonfiction story about an almost unknown book, by a nearly forgot author, who wrote about the esoteric question of the existence of the Trinity-in Latin--be a page-turning, stay-up-all-night-reading book?
Is it because all but three copies of the book were burnt? Or the fact that its author's dying words proclaimed his unrelenting belief as green wood burns him to death? Is it because the author was one of history's unsung geniuses who discovered the pulmonary circulation long before society knew of it, but the fact is written only in the heretical book? Perhaps, but not all.
It takes a husband & wife team of bibliophiles who have wit, a love of the age, an insight into human nature, an understanding of the conflict of the strong egos of the dedicated, and a panoramic view of history.
OUT OF THE FLAMES traces the biblical scholarship of Christianismi Restitution from its inception in 1533 through Renaissance Europe, through Leibniz, Voltaire, Jefferson, and William Osler by starting with the invention the printing press.
It is a series of stories of the foibles of each person, from Gutenberg as a poor businessman, Calvin who has control issues, and the idealism & stupidity of Christianismi Restitution's author, Servetus, who is caught by ..... but that would be giving away one of the best parts.
But most of all it is a story about how ideas are infectious.
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Summary: I have been looking for this book for seven years.
Review: I have been reading books on history, philosophy, religion and spirituality for years. For every book I have read, I have selected three references I have wanted to know more about. I identified the name of Michael Servetus seven years ago out of my grandfather's book collection. It was a Mormon history of the restoration called "The Hand of Providence as shown in the History of Nations and Individuals" by J. H. Ward, published in the late 1883 by the Juvenile Instructor's Office. Later, I learned about the life of Michael Servetus from Dr. Laurence Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History Ancient and Modern (printed by the Church of England). Each time I have come to the name of Michael Servetus I have felt like I have been struck by lightning. He is a stellar star over the middle ages. You can imagine my joy to find a reference to this book last year. It is well written and does the story justice. However, I do think that it treats lightly the truths that Michael Servetus knew. The book is more about him then it is about what he believed, in that area it could be improved on. It is about the rarest book on earth, but says very little about what it has to say. I would hope that this book is very soon, recovered, translated into English and published. That is my wish, to see "Christianity Restored" published. Many today believe that truth is relative and that someone like this amazing individual is interesting only because of what "the protestant religion" has done to him. Well, that is not the point is it? He died for something that he Knew to be True. Well I am still hungry after reading this book. I know more of his story, but I am more interested then I was ever before to see what he wrote. Here this book falls short (but it is still worth the five stars).
After reading this book I have sought out and bought an old 1724 edition of "An Impartial History of Michael Servetus Burnt Alive at Geneva for Heresie published in London." I was told it was the same version photocopied for this book. This book has helped me answer many questions about my own faith. While I still struggle with the faith my Mormon pioneer forefathers handed down to me, this book has helped me understand that there was a valid historical basis for many of their beliefs that is superior to that of the protestants, and similar to primitive Quakers.
Calvin's doctrines have become (in part) the doctrines of today's protestant Christianity. I have been attending various Christian churches for the past eight years but have not been satisfied with them. The doctrine of the trinity is an error, and Michael Servetus was able to prove it. He was not only a great physician and discover of blood circulation, but a greater theologian than Calvin. I believe that Calvin was appointed by the Lord God to give aid to Servetus. But for Calvin's pride the historic breaches in the Protestant reformation between Ante-Baptists, Socians, and Protestants may have been resolved. Unfortunately, Calvin and Ferrel played the part of a Pharisees while Servetus played the man.
I have found through a deep study of the best of the best in history that Mormon history was hurt by the character flaws of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. However, to me, they are nothing compared to the crushing blow given by John Calvin to the truth in this instance. It leads me to the conclusion that Protestant history and theology is as deeply flawed (or more so) than Mormon theology. I pray that we will all learn from this story, and come to the unity of the faith and recover the breach caused by this instance within the overall Church of Christ. It is my solemn opinion the theological and experiential issues raised by Servetus have been replaying themselves out in the history of William Penn and the Quakers, in the Mormon faith, and will continue to be until acknowledged by all parties (as well as previously by the Socians in Poland, and Ante Baptists in Germany and Switzerland). I find it also to be a matter of personal interest to me that the dying testimony given by Servetus resolves one of my main questions about the contradictions of Mormonism and am fairly consistent with Joseph Smith's final testimony about the nature of God, and reconciles well with the Gnostics, and Muslim points of view. There is a basis for reconciliation, if we are willing to look at it through the eyes of this, the greatest Christian Reformer who is not Luther, and not Calvin, but Servetus.
"...But to make three Gods by nature equal, is the master-piece of blasphemy, and a cursed impiety. We must ascribe all things to one, viz. to him, who is the author of all things, and who for his own pleasure created them; for he only by nature is of himself God; all the rest are not Gods of themselves, they receive and acknowledge their measure of the Godhead from the one God the Father: From God they are called Gods; For the supreme and sovereign God is able to sanctify the creatures, and fill them with the divinity..."
(P. 202, Servetus, An Impartial History of Michael Servetus Butnt Alive at Geneva for Heresie, final testimony).
If anyone has an actual translated copy of "Christianity Restored" I would love to purchase it. bridge_explorer@msn.com.
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Summary: Religious cruelty
Review: I've read numerous accounts of religious cruelty, but it never fails to amaze me how religious zealots will stop at nothing to force their beliefs on others. But what is more amazing is how they will even kill each other over trivialty of doctrine. The extra history concerning the printing press and the evolution of books was a bonus. Now with the internet and the information age at hand it will be more difficult for the church to control the minds and bodies of intelligent people.
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Summary: Revisionist History At Its Worst!
Review: If it were possible, I would give this book "0 stars" - maybe even a negative rating! This book claims to be an "extraordinary story providing testament to the power of ideas, the enduring legacy of books, and the triumph of individual courage" - nothing is farther from the truth. Servetus was a heretic, denying such foundational beliefs as the trinity. It is one thing to examine his life and work out of historical interest, it is quite another to hold him up as a hero. What is most disappointing about this book is not so much its historical inaccuracy but its hidden agenda. The authors have tried to hold up Servetus as something he was not in a less than hidden attempt to discredit the ministry of John Calvin, seeking to make him out to be a brutal tyrant in Geneva. The authors disagree with Calvin's theology and instead of arguing against him from Scripture, they resort to attacking his character. How shameful! This is exactly what we see from the world; disciples of Jesus Christ should be better than this! Of course, Calvin's theology is often a controversial subject with many. That's fine! Study the Scriptures, debate the theology, talk to one another, letting "iron sharpen iron." But let's be honest with history. I happen to be one who holds to the more "calvinist undertsanding of the Bible" - I still find great value in the life and ministry of great men like John Wesley. I do not need to attack their character do justify not agreeing with their theology. Let's keep the debate focused on Scripture and not side step the issues by vilifying a man's character. If you are truly interested in the historical account of Calvin's life and Servetus' death, do not buy this book. Spend your money on a good biography like those written by Beza, Wendel, McGrath, or Stickelberger.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth reading, despite some flaws
Review: The Goldstone's write in the prologue that, Out of the Flames, is, "...the story of one book - Michael Servtus's book..." and even the title proclaims it is, "The Remarkable Story of a Fearless Scholar, A Fatal Heresy, and One of the Rarest Books in the World." But I think the Epilogue contains a better characterization of what this book aspired to, and sometimes achieved: "But there were also those, no less brilliant, who did not succeed, whose ideas could not take root before they were crushed. Their vision and passion were no less intense, and what they had to say no less vital to the human spirit. It was only circumstance that separated them from the others [Newton, Shakespeare, etc.]."
Navigating your way through the important events of any period in history can be tricky. And the Goldstone's have a lot of ground to cover in a relatively short book - Servetus' story encompasses much of the period generally labeled the Reformation. Only those events and characters in some way related to the story of Servetus', Christianismi Restitutio are included in Out of the Flames. But even this narrowing still leaves a lot of interacting events and characters to write about in only a few hundred pages. The author's do an admirable job in their selections. The narrative does seem to jump around, but the Goldstone's rarely take a long time in bringing it back to Servetus and the Christianismi Restitutio. And, at times, their journey through the Reformation landscape is marred by oversimplification and the occasional twentieth century viewpoint ascribed to sixteenth century characters. Take the Goldstone's brief treatment of the origins of the printing press. Not enough documentary evidence exists to assign motives to any party or even to really know what Gutenberg was up to during significant portions of the experimental phase - Gutenberg periodically "disappears" for stretches of several years. Yet their coverage suggests historians have a complete, concrete picture of Gutenberg and portrays Fust and Schoeffer as greedy men whose sole aim was to steal the invention of someone else for their own profit. Not all of the events covered are oversimplified in this manner. But enough are that it must, in the end, detract somewhat from the story as history.
Out of the Flames is not solely a biography of Michael Servetus. Perhaps half, maybe less, of the book is actually devoted to his life. The Goldstone's spend time on other important sixteenth century characters; John Calvin, Francis I, Marguerite d'Angouleme to mention a few. The "climax" of the book comes when the story gets to Servetus' trial in Geneva - in many respects a clash between two titanic intellects, Calvin's and Servetus'. Here the Goldstone's clearly have their favorite. Calvin comes across as a rabid animal, foaming at the mouth in his desire to execute Servetus at the first possible moment. Granted, Calvin can't really be excused for his actions, but the irony of arguably one of the most effective reformers of the sixteenth century trying to suppress a dissenting opinion is often lost in that bias toward Servetus which softens his own faults (a towering ego and often intemperate, abusive language) and magnifies Calvin's. Such bias doesn't mean that the story the Goldstone's tell isn't worth reading. But it is something readers should be aware of - if for no other reason than to keep some perspective.
In addition to the thread of antitrinitarianism (the heresy that got Servetus burned at the stake) the story of Michael Servetus is about a scientific discovery that lay buried in the primarily theological, Christianismi Restitutio. Servetus was trained in the medical profession, though theology seems to have been of greater interest to him. As an assistant to Vesalius, one of the great anatomists of the sixteenth century, Servetus discovered the role of the heart in circulating blood throughout the body. Even Vesalius, who got so much else right, missed it. But Servetus never mentioned it until much later, and only in passing. Because the Christianismi Restitutio was suppressed for its heretical ideas, William Harvey would receive credit for his independent discovery several decades later. Here is the circumstance the Goldstone's talk about in the Epilogue that separated Servetus from celebrated men like Newton and even Harvey.
The last few chapters of the book are devoted to tracing ownership of the remaining copies of Christianismi Restitutio up to the present. Here the irony that one of those copies happened to be Calvin's own is not lost; it was Calvin who ordered that all copies of the book be burned to ensure that Servetus' heresy would not spread.
Despite the faults I have noted, I enjoyed reading Out of the Flames. The bibliography at the end of the book contains some useful entries for biographies of Charles V and Francis I.
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Summary: wonderful historical narrative for bibliophiles
Review: The husband-and-wife writing team of Nancy and Lawrence Goldstone deliver a delightful history of Michael Servetus and the book that got him killed -- a volume considered so infamous that all copies were ordered destroyed. Only three copies are still known to exist, making it one of the most valuable books in existence. The authors bring to life the man and his times, discussing religion, science, literature and history as well as Leibniz, Voltaire, Calvin, Priestley and Osler, incorporating a vast array of knowledge as they tell the story of a genius and his tragic end. There are a fair number of illustrations, a bibliography and an index.
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Summary: Truly a wonderful book
Review: The story of Michael Servetus is one that every free-thinking human being should know--it is both inspiring and thought provoking. The narrow minded individuals that led to his demise have many present day counterparts. There are many lessons to be learned from this book.
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Summary: Unitarians prove Servetus is oneof them
Review: The writing is excellent. Breezy, smooth, engrossing. It is the poor fact checking and research that diminish the quality of the book. The authors simply allow their desire to prove a point to manipulate the facts.
Something as simple as Calvin desiring his burning rather than beheading, pg 196, their's is the only book, that i have seen, that says he didn't seek beheading. Certainly a little point, but it is an accepted fact that they dispute, without even a footnote to warn the reader.
But it is the tone and the choice of words that points to a polemical work not a history, putting this into the genre of historical fiction rather than history. For on almost every page something jumped out as either a distortion or a misguided attempt to prove a point by involving people's emotions in the case, rather than to spread out the issues for us to understand them.
I appreciate the point they so evidently wish their readers to believe, but i believe careful even handed scholarship would be a better way to prove it than how this book turns out. To demonize your enemies and to confer sainthood on our friends is good polemics but justifiably called fiction when applying to real people.
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Summary: The history of political correctness
Review: This is an excellent book, it gave us a compact and well written story about Miguel Servet and Calvino.
Miguel Servet was assasinated for his way of thinking, again we have another great thinker killed because of his written thoughts
It is fast paced and not only gave us the story but also a brief analysis of the political and religious situation of the era and the repercutions on the future
Well done Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone
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