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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #29
Count Zinzendorf: First Fruit
An unusually mature Christian at a very young age, Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf did not follow the course dictated by his noble birth but followed God's call even to the point of being banned from his native Saxony. Once destined for the royal court, the Count instead became a spiritual father to millions.
Count Zinzendorf opened his estate to persecuted Moravian Christians, and under his leadership this vibrant community launched the modern missions movement. Beginning at Herrnhut and traveling as far as Africa, America, and Russia, the bold believers of the Moravian Church planted seeds that continue to bear fruit even to this day (1700-1760).
Count Zinzendorf opened his estate to persecuted Moravian Christians, and under his leadership this vibrant community launched the modern missions movement. Beginning at Herrnhut and traveling as far as Africa, America, and Russia, the bold believers of the Moravian Church planted seeds that continue to bear fruit even to this day (1700-1760).
183 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2006
About the author
Janet Benge
139 books246 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 17, 2020
It was a nice short book with a great story that was very encouraging. Loved it!
February 22, 2012
When we lived in northeast Ohio many years ago, we had several occasions to visit the area around New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville, Dover, Schoenbrunn, Tuscarawas, and Gnadenhutten where there was a lot of Moravian Church history and the Moravian Church is still fairly strong. As a minister, I have always been interested in religious history. Though descended from the followers of early reformer Jan Hus and based upon the principles which he taught, the modern Moravian Church is primarily the result of the work of Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700–1760), both of whose parents were from noble German families. His grandfather, Maximillian von Zinzendorf, chose to sell his Austrian possessions and emigrate to Franconia rather than accept forced conversion to Catholicism. Nicolaus's father was in the service of the Saxon Elector at Dresden at the time of his youngest son's birth. He died six weeks later and the child was sent to live with his maternal grandmother and an aunt. His mother married again when he was four years old, and he was educated under the charge of his pietistic Lutheran grandmother, Henriette Catharina von Gersdorff, who did much to shape his character.
Educated at the Paedagogium in Halle, where Pietism was strong, and at the University of Wittenberg, the seat of Lutheran traditionalism, Zinzendorf studied law. After graduation, he traveled in the Netherlands, France, and various parts of Germany, then married Erdmuthe Dorothea Reuss, sister of his childhood friend Count Henry Reuss, bought Berthelsdorf from his maternal grandmother, Baroness von Gersdorf, and began his career in the service of the Electors of Saxony at Dresden. In 1722, Zinzendorf offered asylum to a number of persecuted wanderers from Moravia and Bohemia and permitted them to build the village of Herrnhut on a corner of his estate of Berthelsdorf. Many of them were part of the Unitas Fratrum remnant founded by Jan Hus. As Zinzendorf began to study the history of the Moravians, he was astonished to find powerful similarities between the early Unitas Fratrum and the newly established order of Herrnhut. In 1732, the community began sending out missionaries. In 1736, Zinzendorf was exiled from his home in Saxony. He and a number of his followers moved to Ronneburg Castle near Marienborn in Wetteravia, owned by Count Casimir of Budingen, and founded another community known as Herrnhaag. Zinzendorf was consecrated a bishop of the Moravian Church on May 20, 1737. He himself began making missionary trips, in 1739 to St. Thomas in the West Indies, in 1741, to the colony of Pennsylvania, and in 1749 to England, where he lived until 1755. Eventually, Zinzendorf was allowed to return to Saxony, where he died rather suddenly.
This is one of the wonderful “Christian Heroes: Then and Now” series by Janet and Geoff Benge. There were a number of Zinzendorf’s beliefs and practices mentioned in the book with which many would not agree—communion on days other than the first day of the week, some degree of emotionalism, church “love feasts,” having women as elders, the belief that God speaks to people directly, and the church’s involvement in secular business—but we don’t always have to agree with every aspect of a people’s theology to accept whatever truth they do teach, to appreciate their courage, and to admire their zeal. Zinzendorf also wrote several hymns, of which the best-known are "Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness" and "Jesus, still lead on." Unfortunately, very few if any of them have ever appeared in songbooks used by churches of Christ. Other books in the “Christian Heroes: Then and Now” series which we have are about Gladys Aylward, Eric Liddell, George Muller, Nate Saint, Rachel Saint, Ida Scudder, Mary Slessor, Corrie ten Boom, and Florence Young. The Benges are also writing another series “Heroes of History,” of which we have ones about Thomas Edison, Meriwether Lewis, William Penn, Theodore Roosevelt, Alan Shepard, and Orville Wright. For both series, YWAM publishes study guides which can be used in homeschools or classrooms. They are among the best series of biographies that I have read.
Educated at the Paedagogium in Halle, where Pietism was strong, and at the University of Wittenberg, the seat of Lutheran traditionalism, Zinzendorf studied law. After graduation, he traveled in the Netherlands, France, and various parts of Germany, then married Erdmuthe Dorothea Reuss, sister of his childhood friend Count Henry Reuss, bought Berthelsdorf from his maternal grandmother, Baroness von Gersdorf, and began his career in the service of the Electors of Saxony at Dresden. In 1722, Zinzendorf offered asylum to a number of persecuted wanderers from Moravia and Bohemia and permitted them to build the village of Herrnhut on a corner of his estate of Berthelsdorf. Many of them were part of the Unitas Fratrum remnant founded by Jan Hus. As Zinzendorf began to study the history of the Moravians, he was astonished to find powerful similarities between the early Unitas Fratrum and the newly established order of Herrnhut. In 1732, the community began sending out missionaries. In 1736, Zinzendorf was exiled from his home in Saxony. He and a number of his followers moved to Ronneburg Castle near Marienborn in Wetteravia, owned by Count Casimir of Budingen, and founded another community known as Herrnhaag. Zinzendorf was consecrated a bishop of the Moravian Church on May 20, 1737. He himself began making missionary trips, in 1739 to St. Thomas in the West Indies, in 1741, to the colony of Pennsylvania, and in 1749 to England, where he lived until 1755. Eventually, Zinzendorf was allowed to return to Saxony, where he died rather suddenly.
This is one of the wonderful “Christian Heroes: Then and Now” series by Janet and Geoff Benge. There were a number of Zinzendorf’s beliefs and practices mentioned in the book with which many would not agree—communion on days other than the first day of the week, some degree of emotionalism, church “love feasts,” having women as elders, the belief that God speaks to people directly, and the church’s involvement in secular business—but we don’t always have to agree with every aspect of a people’s theology to accept whatever truth they do teach, to appreciate their courage, and to admire their zeal. Zinzendorf also wrote several hymns, of which the best-known are "Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness" and "Jesus, still lead on." Unfortunately, very few if any of them have ever appeared in songbooks used by churches of Christ. Other books in the “Christian Heroes: Then and Now” series which we have are about Gladys Aylward, Eric Liddell, George Muller, Nate Saint, Rachel Saint, Ida Scudder, Mary Slessor, Corrie ten Boom, and Florence Young. The Benges are also writing another series “Heroes of History,” of which we have ones about Thomas Edison, Meriwether Lewis, William Penn, Theodore Roosevelt, Alan Shepard, and Orville Wright. For both series, YWAM publishes study guides which can be used in homeschools or classrooms. They are among the best series of biographies that I have read.
October 9, 2017
Concerning the repeated focus and goal of dismissing all differences and becoming one unified "church" pg 41, 119
pg 83 "IN more places they visited, they were forbidden from preaching directly to the congregation. Instead they gathered together small groups of like-minded Christians and told them about Herrnhut and all God was doing among them. They then encouraged the people to put aside their differences and act as one united church."
pg 113 "We worship the same God, and we understand each other. What stops us from being friends?"
"Seizing the opportunity, Ludwig began to share the gospel with Rabbi Abraham.."
Ummmm
Another concern is his neglect of his marriage. Rarely around as a husband and father.
of note:
The testimony of 9 of their 12 children dying.
pg 40 "This I have done for you. What have you done for me?
pg 102 Ludwig spoke from his heart, instructing the missionaries, "Remember,you must never use your position to lord it over the heathen. Instead you must humble yourself and earn their respect through your own quiet faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. The missionary must seek nothing for himself, no seat of honor or hope of fame. Like the cabhorse in London, each of you must wear blinkers that blind you to every danger and to every snare and conceit. You must be content to suffer, to die, and to be forgotten."
pg 108 The love of Christ shall constrain me, and His cross refresh me. I will cheerfully be subject to the higher powers, and a sincere friend to my enemies.
pg 142 "For more than twenty years now I have enjoyed a trusting relationship with the Savior. So when i find myself in difficulty or dangerous situations, the first thing i do is ask myself whether I am to blame. If I find something that the Savior is displeased with, I get down on my knees and ask His forgiveness.... "
pg 83 "IN more places they visited, they were forbidden from preaching directly to the congregation. Instead they gathered together small groups of like-minded Christians and told them about Herrnhut and all God was doing among them. They then encouraged the people to put aside their differences and act as one united church."
pg 113 "We worship the same God, and we understand each other. What stops us from being friends?"
"Seizing the opportunity, Ludwig began to share the gospel with Rabbi Abraham.."
Ummmm
Another concern is his neglect of his marriage. Rarely around as a husband and father.
of note:
The testimony of 9 of their 12 children dying.
pg 40 "This I have done for you. What have you done for me?
pg 102 Ludwig spoke from his heart, instructing the missionaries, "Remember,you must never use your position to lord it over the heathen. Instead you must humble yourself and earn their respect through your own quiet faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. The missionary must seek nothing for himself, no seat of honor or hope of fame. Like the cabhorse in London, each of you must wear blinkers that blind you to every danger and to every snare and conceit. You must be content to suffer, to die, and to be forgotten."
pg 108 The love of Christ shall constrain me, and His cross refresh me. I will cheerfully be subject to the higher powers, and a sincere friend to my enemies.
pg 142 "For more than twenty years now I have enjoyed a trusting relationship with the Savior. So when i find myself in difficulty or dangerous situations, the first thing i do is ask myself whether I am to blame. If I find something that the Savior is displeased with, I get down on my knees and ask His forgiveness.... "
December 30, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ The story of Count Zinzendorf was new to me and really amazing. The ways in which God used him and spoke to him. Overall a great telling of who he was and how God used him to further his kingdom and draw him closer to his missional heart.
September 8, 2022
Corrie Ten Boom by Janet and Geoff Benge
Lord help us to rescue those being led away to eternal death.
“Finally, the handcuffs were removed, and Corrie Ten Boom ran her hands over her battered and bruised face. The pain was still intense, but it would pass. What was important was that Corrie hadn’t given up any of the information that the Gestapo officer had tried to beat out of her. The secret of the “Angel’s Den” was safe. For that, Corrie was thankful. A few cuts and bruises were a small price to pay for saving the lives of six people inside the secret room.” P13
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
Proverbs 24.11-12 NIV
Lord, please help us and the Banjar to set up businesses to bless others and to facilitate the reaching of the Unreached.
Corrie Ten Boom and her father had a business making and repairing clocks and watches. The tiny workshop where they worked hosted a steady stream of people who needed advice, a kind word, or a prayer. Some of the visitors were jewish merchants and some were penniless tramps. P 27
“I hate to have to take this down to Vroom on Dreesman’s store, but I got a flyer today. All radios in Haarlem are to be handed over to the Germans. It has been such a joy for Father, and the radio is the only way we get any real news.”
Then Peter, Corrie’s nephew spoke up, “But don’t you see, Aunt Corrie, we don’t have to do what they tell us. You can keep one the radios. Why, there must be a hundred places you could hide it in this house.”
Corrie Ten Boom recounted that since the beginning of the German occupation of Holland in WWII, churches all over Holland were fuller than they had ever been before. (52)
One of the highlights of this book was the story of forgiveness at the end. An old friend of Corrie Ten Boom told her that Jan Vogel was the man who visited her the day of the Gestapo raid (just a few hours before the raid) and he was the one who was most likely was the person who betrayed her family to the Gestapo. Corrie knew she had to forgive him so she began writing this letter to him:
“I heard that you are the one who was most likely the person who betrayed my family to the Gestapo. As a result, I was in a concentration camp for ten months. My father died in prison nine days after he was arrested. My sister died in Ravensbruck concentration camp…
Lord help us to rescue those being led away to eternal death.
“Finally, the handcuffs were removed, and Corrie Ten Boom ran her hands over her battered and bruised face. The pain was still intense, but it would pass. What was important was that Corrie hadn’t given up any of the information that the Gestapo officer had tried to beat out of her. The secret of the “Angel’s Den” was safe. For that, Corrie was thankful. A few cuts and bruises were a small price to pay for saving the lives of six people inside the secret room.” P13
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
Proverbs 24.11-12 NIV
Lord, please help us and the Banjar to set up businesses to bless others and to facilitate the reaching of the Unreached.
Corrie Ten Boom and her father had a business making and repairing clocks and watches. The tiny workshop where they worked hosted a steady stream of people who needed advice, a kind word, or a prayer. Some of the visitors were jewish merchants and some were penniless tramps. P 27
“I hate to have to take this down to Vroom on Dreesman’s store, but I got a flyer today. All radios in Haarlem are to be handed over to the Germans. It has been such a joy for Father, and the radio is the only way we get any real news.”
Then Peter, Corrie’s nephew spoke up, “But don’t you see, Aunt Corrie, we don’t have to do what they tell us. You can keep one the radios. Why, there must be a hundred places you could hide it in this house.”
Corrie Ten Boom recounted that since the beginning of the German occupation of Holland in WWII, churches all over Holland were fuller than they had ever been before. (52)
One of the highlights of this book was the story of forgiveness at the end. An old friend of Corrie Ten Boom told her that Jan Vogel was the man who visited her the day of the Gestapo raid (just a few hours before the raid) and he was the one who was most likely was the person who betrayed her family to the Gestapo. Corrie knew she had to forgive him so she began writing this letter to him:
“I heard that you are the one who was most likely the person who betrayed my family to the Gestapo. As a result, I was in a concentration camp for ten months. My father died in prison nine days after he was arrested. My sister died in Ravensbruck concentration camp…
December 1, 2020
In fact, just about every person Ludwig knew was a strong Christian. So it was not surprising that he grew up thinking that every young boy prayed, sing hymns, and read his Bible.
... the warm, Christian atmosphere they had created, where arguments were solved with prayer and forgiveness.
“If it was good enough for the Lord Jesus to become a servant so that we might be saved, it is a worthy calling for us also. I leave it to the good judgment of the congregation and have no other ground than this thought: that on the island there still are souls who cannot believe because they have not heard.”
Leonard Dober, first Moravian missionary
“Earn your own keep, for you are there to serve. Do not expect to convert masses of people at once. Remember, the Lord already knows those whose hearts he has prepared to believe. It is your job to find these people, even if they be few in number. These will be the precious ‘firstfruits.’”
Ludwig von Zinzendorf’s admonition to the first Moravian missionaries
“Remember, you must never use your position to lord it over the heathen. Instead you must humble yourself and earn their respect through your own quiet faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. The missionary must seek nothing for himself, no state of honor or hope of fame... you must be content to suffer, to die, and to be forgotten.”
Ludwig von Zinzendorf’s admonition to the second wave of Moravian missionaries to St Thomas island
“never forget that we have come here resting upon Christ our Savior, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, not on the principle of sight but of faith”
Moravian missionaries in Greenland
“If I find myself in difficult or dangerous situations, the first thing I do is ask myself whether I am to blame. If I find something that the Savior is displeased with, I get down on my knees and ask his forgiveness. And when I do this, he forgives me, and at the same time I usually know how things will work out.”
... the warm, Christian atmosphere they had created, where arguments were solved with prayer and forgiveness.
“If it was good enough for the Lord Jesus to become a servant so that we might be saved, it is a worthy calling for us also. I leave it to the good judgment of the congregation and have no other ground than this thought: that on the island there still are souls who cannot believe because they have not heard.”
Leonard Dober, first Moravian missionary
“Earn your own keep, for you are there to serve. Do not expect to convert masses of people at once. Remember, the Lord already knows those whose hearts he has prepared to believe. It is your job to find these people, even if they be few in number. These will be the precious ‘firstfruits.’”
Ludwig von Zinzendorf’s admonition to the first Moravian missionaries
“Remember, you must never use your position to lord it over the heathen. Instead you must humble yourself and earn their respect through your own quiet faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. The missionary must seek nothing for himself, no state of honor or hope of fame... you must be content to suffer, to die, and to be forgotten.”
Ludwig von Zinzendorf’s admonition to the second wave of Moravian missionaries to St Thomas island
“never forget that we have come here resting upon Christ our Savior, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, not on the principle of sight but of faith”
Moravian missionaries in Greenland
“If I find myself in difficult or dangerous situations, the first thing I do is ask myself whether I am to blame. If I find something that the Savior is displeased with, I get down on my knees and ask his forgiveness. And when I do this, he forgives me, and at the same time I usually know how things will work out.”
April 2, 2024
Wow!
I started reading this book because Zinzendorf is supposedly one of the greatest and more foundational BAM stories of the past few centuries.
I quickly realized that his story has a little of everything: prayer, hardship, giving everything up for the gospel, betrayal, steadfastness, miracles, etc.
Most interestingly, Zinzendorfs story is actually an incredible account of how to build faith-driven communities. He was so strategic about placing himself in community, developing habits, delegating to and developing leaders well, and exemplifying what he preached.
If you want to learn how to develop a healthy, passionate community that sends missionaries, I think Zinzendorf’s story is perfect.
The Moravians also serve as a model for so many other communities. Who knew they influenced names as well known as John Wesley and William Carey?
Admittedly, it wasn’t the best written “biography,” but the characters and details about the Moravians were fascinating.
I started reading this book because Zinzendorf is supposedly one of the greatest and more foundational BAM stories of the past few centuries.
I quickly realized that his story has a little of everything: prayer, hardship, giving everything up for the gospel, betrayal, steadfastness, miracles, etc.
Most interestingly, Zinzendorfs story is actually an incredible account of how to build faith-driven communities. He was so strategic about placing himself in community, developing habits, delegating to and developing leaders well, and exemplifying what he preached.
If you want to learn how to develop a healthy, passionate community that sends missionaries, I think Zinzendorf’s story is perfect.
The Moravians also serve as a model for so many other communities. Who knew they influenced names as well known as John Wesley and William Carey?
Admittedly, it wasn’t the best written “biography,” but the characters and details about the Moravians were fascinating.
May 11, 2023
I love this series, but this book is my least favorite of all I have read. So many details that seem really over-the-top and less flow of the story. I didn't feel connected to Count Zinzendorf at all through reading this book. Will keep reading the series with my kids, but I definitely wouldn't recommend this book.
March 6, 2021
Firstfruit seemed the perfect follow on from The Story of 24-7 Prayer as it tells the life story of Count Zinzendorf and the Moravian church which partly inspired the birth of 24/7. It’s a short book written mainly for teens as part of the Christian Hero’s - Then & Now series by YWAM but well worth a read by anyone wanting to know more about passionate committed Christians who took prayer, community and taking the gospel to others seriously in the 18th century. Plenty to give thanks for, inspire and challenge for any of us who call us Jesus followers today.
June 21, 2022
I now know who this Count was. I enjoy knowing the lives of other believers. I only give it a 3 star as it is very simple and quick, which is great for kids. The mission aspect of the Moravians has always been an area I wanted to know more about.
November 7, 2023
Wow, just wow!
I am deeply moved by this stirring story! I had no idea about the Moravian church and it's influence on world missions, and Count Zinzendorf himself was a man of great zeal, patience, knowledge, and Godliness!
I am deeply moved by this stirring story! I had no idea about the Moravian church and it's influence on world missions, and Count Zinzendorf himself was a man of great zeal, patience, knowledge, and Godliness!
January 15, 2018
Nice account of a man of God, who bridged many social divides and dismissed many conventions to reach the list and unite divided believers. Easy to read.
January 5, 2023
Humbling
Concise record of amazing feats of
faith and love by ordinary people loving their extraordinary Savior. I am so thankful to have found this testimony.
Concise record of amazing feats of
faith and love by ordinary people loving their extraordinary Savior. I am so thankful to have found this testimony.
March 28, 2015
Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a pietist nobleman in Saxony followed God's call to become a preacher, hymn writer, and patron to the persecuted Moravians. He was also a missionary who had the vision and inspired many to take the gospel around the world. Speaking to missionaries, Ludwig said, "...The missionary must seek nothing for himself...each of you must wear blinkers that blind you to every danger and to every snare and conceit. You must be content to suffer, to die, and be forgotten." Many did die, but the church and its mission live on.
May 11, 2020
3.5 stars [Biography]
(W: 2.75 / P: 3 / T: 4.5)
Exact rating: 3.42
#8 in genre, out of 28
Stunning truth in a fast read about a German nobleman using his whole life for Christ, and working towards Christian Unity in the world. His "Moravians" prayed non-stop for 100 years, worked alongside slaves in the Caribbean and Native Americans in Pennsylvania, were imprisoned by Germans and Dutch, were massacred by Americans and Native Americans, and yet more stood up to take the place of the fallen every time, and go out into the nations.
(W: 2.75 / P: 3 / T: 4.5)
Exact rating: 3.42
#8 in genre, out of 28
Stunning truth in a fast read about a German nobleman using his whole life for Christ, and working towards Christian Unity in the world. His "Moravians" prayed non-stop for 100 years, worked alongside slaves in the Caribbean and Native Americans in Pennsylvania, were imprisoned by Germans and Dutch, were massacred by Americans and Native Americans, and yet more stood up to take the place of the fallen every time, and go out into the nations.
June 27, 2008
An easy read, loaded with action and missionary adventure. Really an inspiring read. Would recommend it to home schoolers. Count Zinzendorf's legacy lives on in the recent upserge 24/7 prayer movements.
May 21, 2014
Children's book about a great man of the faith and some of the things he experienced. I thought it was a good review of his life; succinct, easy to read, reasonably factual (I assume), and well-written. Naturally, it was interesting too.
May 7, 2015
Very interesting read.
May 11, 2015
Good
Not my favorite book, but definitely a good one to read for anyone ten years or older!! You should definitely read it!
Not my favorite book, but definitely a good one to read for anyone ten years or older!! You should definitely read it!
June 14, 2016
This book was both challenging and inspiring!
January 2, 2023
Excelente, vivió por fe e impulso uno de los movimientos misioneros más genuinos mediante los moravos.
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August 9, 2018Kindle & Audible cast to TV
We like to cast the Kindle version to the TV while Audible reads along - we need the Audible version of this book & the rest in the series :) . Kindle highlights the words of the book as it is narrated, which is a good help for the kiddos.
We like to cast the Kindle version to the TV while Audible reads along - we need the Audible version of this book & the rest in the series :) . Kindle highlights the words of the book as it is narrated, which is a good help for the kiddos.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews