Fire and Faith by Kristin Jack

Back in 2022, I “met” Kristin Jack when he hired me to edit his historical novel based on Sebastian Castellio’s friendship, and then theological war, with John Calvin. To be honest, it read more like a history book than a novel, but some moments sparkled. And I found the history—most of which I didn’t know—fascinating!  I gave him extensive notes and figured I’d never see it again. 

This past August, Kristin asked me to edit his revisions. And wow, had he revised! The project was so much better than the first time I’d seen it! I was pulled into the story in a new way and the history was just as riveting. 

During the final days of editing, Kristin reached out to let me know his lymphoma—which had been in remission for ten-ish years—had returned. Aggressively. I finished up the edits, sent them off, and continued to pray for him and his wife, again figuring I’d never hear anything more.

This week, one of Kristin’s friends—the one who’d asked for an editor recommendation for Kristin and been given my name—reached out to let me know two things: 

1. Kristin’s book will go live on Amazon December 20th under the title Fire and Faith. 

and

2) The day after Kristin had celebrated the publication of his book with his family, he went to be with Jesus. 

I feel so privileged to have been part of this project. If you enjoy church history and/or historical fiction, you might want to check it out. It’s a long book, but the story is quite compelling. 

Here’s the back cover copy and preview. 

The explosive novel that confronts the Reformation’s horror and heroism.

It’s 1563 and Europe teeters on a knife-edge. Catholics and Protestants are on the brink of a war so catastrophic that it will kill millions and rage for a hundred years. One voice cries out—pleading for peace and calling for tolerance.

Will that voice be heard, or will it be silenced?

Based on real-life characters and events, this historical novel tells the story of Sebastian Castellio, a brilliant theologian and ethicist, whose calls for religious tolerance and dialogue in the sixteenth century sparked a violent backlash from his one-time colleague and friend, the renowned Protestant Reformer John Calvin.