Christian Heroes: The Lion of the North

        This is the first of a periodical series on Christian Heroes. I wrote this article for an assignment last year, edited it a bit, and now am sharing it with you.

        Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, is not a name that is spoken of very often. One of the reasons for this anonymity is that he was a wholehearted Protestant. He loved the Word of God and even wrote a battle-hymn. For a while, Gustavus watched the struggles for religious freedom in Europe. Then, when all was but lost for the Protestant side of the struggle, he decided that it was time to step in. Gustavus landed in Germany in 1630 with 18,000 men.

        Gustavus defeated two of the Roman Catholic armies sent by the Emperor of Vienna, and caused the death of his general, Tilly. By this time virtually the whole of central Europe was free from religious restriction. But the Emperor ordered one more army into the field. On this occasion, Gustavus Adolphus was killed in battle, but this only caused the Swedes to fight even more hardily, and they routed the Emperors troops. 

        The war flagged on for eighteen more years, but at the end the Peace of Westphalia was signed. The Protestants had won the right to exist in Europe. Gustavus Adolphus fought for God’s people and by his courage, faith, and strength, the foundation for religious freedom in Europe was laid and not broken. At a time when the Protestants tides were at the ebb, Gustavus was God’s instrument for securing freedom of religion for Protestants in Europe. We would do well to remember him.


Written and Posted by William A Moore

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For further reading:
G. A. Henty: The Lion of the North