Programmed by both popular culture and experience, we too often think of preachers as unworldly hot-house creatures, ill equipped to face challenges of a brutal real world. In her new book, “Rekindled,” Teresa Irizarry gives us a fresh take on a well-known character from America’s earliest days.
Irizarry, who has ties to Northeast Texas, recasts Roger Williams, one of the Baptist Church’s founders, in the pioneer spirit of a Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett while still giving due respect to Williams’ tolerance among believers and fair treatment of Native Americans.
While Williams’ story remains at the heart of Irizarry’s narrative, her focus is much broader than other efforts on the subject. Irizarry shines the light on numerous relationships, including Roger and Mary Williams.
Utilizing the historic narrative of a Thomas B. Costain and a Tom Clancy staccato style, Irizarry spins her tales of births, deaths and adventure. I only wish I had started the book from the back where Irizarry hid a handy dramaticus personae.
Williams is an important figure in American history. An early advocate of church-state separation, Williams fearless proclaimed his beliefs in the face of one of history’s greatest ironies. Puritans, who fled England to escape religious persecution, ruthlessly prosecuted in the new world all who disagreed with them on religious doctrine.
Irizarry lets us glimpse, however, not just the preacher debating arcane theological points, but a man paddling his canoe to trading posts, learning to speak the native languages and becoming acquainted with Native American leaders and history.
When authorities came to arrest Williams, he fled in a blizzard into the wilderness on skis he manufactured, dragging his canoe behind him. Williams would eventually found Rhode Island making it a haven for all those rejected by Massachusetts and other colonies. Even Jews and Muslims were welcome.
Williams would resign as Providence’s minister when another arrived on the scene. Williams did not think one person should hold both pulpit and administrative positions. He also stopped going to church. Instead, Williams went out on the hill side and preached to the Algonquian who would arrive each Sunday wanting to learn about Jesus.
A pamphlet Williams authored while back in England seeking Rhode Island’s charter in the face of Massachusetts opposition would later influence the future King Charles II who incorporated Williams’ thoughts on tolerance in future colonial charters.
A tasty treat awaits those who persevere to the end of “Rekindled.” Irizarry serves dessert in the form a fictionalized conversation between Williams and a contemporary American as both stand in line awaiting judgment. Gay marriage is one of the subjects they chat about.
If your taste runs to American history, religious freedom, dramatic lives well lived and the tap root from which the Tree of Liberty grew, you will enjoy “Rekindled.” I urge you to give it a look.
Originally published 5/6/2016 in the Jefferson Jimplecute, Clarksville Times, and Little River News (Ashtown, AK) According to Ward Taylor, who founded the Jefferson, Texas paper in 1875, “Jimplecute” was formed by writing out “Join, Industry, Manufacturing, Planting, Labor, Energy, Capital (in), Unity, Together, Everlastingly.”
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