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Story Of Christianity: Volume 1
 
 

Story Of Christianity: Volume 1 (Paperback)

by Gonzalez (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 31.50
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Story Of Christianity: Volume 1 + Story Of Christianity: Volume 2 + Documents of the Christian Church
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Product Description

Product Description

The Story of Christianity, Volume 1, is an informative, interesting, and consistently readable narrative history. It brings alive the people, dramatic events, and ideas that shaped the first fifteen centuries of Europe, such as the Spanish and Portuguese conquest of the New World. Historian Justo Gonzalez shows how various social, political, and economic movements affected Christianity's internal growth.

Gonzalez skillfully weaves in relevant details from the lives of prominent figures from the apostles to John Wycliffe, tracing out core theological issues and developments as reflected in the lives and struggles of leading thinkers within the various traditions of the church. "The history of the church, while showing all the characteristics fo human history, is much more than the history of an institution or movement," Gonzalez stresses. "It is a history of the deeds of the spirit in and through the men and women who have gone before in the faith." The Story of Christianity demonstrates at each point what new challenges and opportunities faced the church, and how Christians struggled with the various options open to them, thereby shaping the future direction of the church.

The Story of Christianity will serve as a fascinating introduction to the panoramic history of Christianity for students and teachers of church history, for pastors, and for general readers.



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The Story of Christianity will serve as a facinating introduction to the panoramic history of Christianity for students and teachers of church history, for pastors, and for general readers.

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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
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4.3 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars A great introductory text, Feb 8 2006
By FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)   
In another text ('The Changing Shape of Church History'), Justo Gonzalez writes about the shift away from a Eurocentric focus on the history of Christianity to a recognition that Christianity is a global phenomenon, not just due to Western missionary activity, but rather has been since its earliest day. Gonzalez keeps this global perspective in mind in his two volume narrative history, 'The Story of Christianity'.

This first volume looks at the history of Christianity from the first century to the dawn of the Reformation period. In his section on the early church, Gonzalez explores the Jewish and Roman worlds of the time, and how the early churches, from Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the Second Temple and the missions of Paul to the early teachers and leaders of the church as it grew in various ways. The persecutions of the early centuries and the martyrs, as well as many of the controversies and heresies, are presented with an interesting analysis. Gonzalez does not take the position that just because something has been labeled a heresy historically that it is necessarily bad or wrong doctrine.

The second section begins with Constantine and continues through most of late antiquity - this is the period of the church becoming an official arm of the state, many of the great creedal councils, and some of the leading lights in Christian theological development. Persons such as the Cappadocians (Gonzalez includes Macrina as a person in her own right here, and so avoids the general term 'Cappadocian Fathers'), Ambrose, John Chrystostom, and Augustine are highlighted. Gonzalez also looks at the major heresies of the time - Donatixm and Arianism.

The third section looks at the high and late medieval periods, including the sometimes termed 'dark ages' in Western Europe. However, in Eastern Christianity, there were no such dark ages, and the Carolingian Renaissance led to developments that continued in various ways toward the 'Golden Age' of medieval Christianity, a period of increasing development in theology, architecture, music and devotion. Gonzalez also highlights some pre-Reformation figures such as John Wycliffe, John Huss, Savonarola and others whose influence will be felt in succeeding generations more forcefully.

The final section of this text explores the very beginnings of European expansion into the world, with Spain and Portugal's division of the world and early colonial movements. This sets the stage for the next volume.

Each major section is introduced by a chronology; while generally acceptable, more detail here would be helpful, particularly as it relates to the history of ideas. Incorporation of authors, artists, philosophers and others apart from the specifically political and church-related figures would be helpful for the overall context. Each major section also includes a list of suggested readings, but these lists do not include many recent works of merit - Gonzalez himself admits that this text is due for a revised edition.

Gonzalez has a broadly ecumenical and open approach, striving to cover a massive amount of material with fair attention both to major topics and oft-neglected voices. He does a very good job at this, and despite some minor shortcomings, this remains one of the better general church history texts available.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Good Content, Poor Format, Jan 28 2004
By Robert A. Hand (Louisiana, originally) - See all my reviews
That Gonzalez is comfortable with the subject matter in this book is self-evident; he is able to move in and out of the various periods and phases in Christian history with seeming ease. However, herein likewise lies the ever-frustrating weakness of the book: he literally moves in and out, and will often begin one thought, move on to something else, and then return to the previous thought in a subsequent chapter. As a result, I often found myself somewhat disoriented and dislocated upon completing certain chapters. It is easy to lose one's chronological bearings in this somewhat poorly structured work.

Another disappointment is the fact that this volume completely lacks any sort of interaction whatsoever with other scholarship: no quotes, no cross-references, no dialogue, no other opinions -- nothing: it is a "one man show" from cover to cover. Another concern regards the concluding chapters on the Spanish and Portuguese expansions. While perhaps interesting, this simply does not belong in this book; the reader is forced to make a completely disassociated leap across Europe from Bohemia to Portugal with the turn of a page. One must wonder to what extent this section is simply the product of special interest.

Unfortunately, I do not feel as though I can in good conscience recommend this book to other readers, even to beginners (perhaps especially to beginners). In its stead, I might recommend B. Shelley's "Church History in Plain Language" for something on a comparable level.

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3.0 out of 5 stars great for the novice, Aug 9 2003
As the subject suggests, this book, a seminary standard, is predominantly for the novice reader interested in Christian history. Gonzalez's writing style is refreshing, as he involves the reader in an intimate way most other authors fail in this regard. Furthermore, the information given is basic and watered-down, so for a more in-depth view of Christian history, I suggest looking elsewhere.

My only complaints are: 1) the price for this paperback is a bit high, 2) given the high price, the book quality is somewhat low (paper/binding are from cheap materials).

3 stars.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars a well written historical overview
it's hard for me to give anything 5 stars, but this is such a well written overview of church history that i have to acknowledge it for what it is. Read more
Published on May 13 2003 by Casey K. Carlson

3.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, but insufficient for advanced students
Gonzalez's work is highly accurate, and provides a good summary of the church history of the period. Read more
Published on Dec 7 2002 by Elizabeth G. Melillo

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Readable
I found this book to be eminently readable. It reads like a good novel. As an overview of Christian history this is an excellent book. Read more
Published on Oct 30 2002 by Karyn L

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative & Well Written
Gonzalez writes, in his two volume series the story of Christianity from inception to more modern contexts. Read more
Published on Oct 23 2002 by Joseph Valentine Dworak

5.0 out of 5 stars Gonzalez Sets the Standard
Referring to both volumes 1 & 2...Gonzalez offers a incredible amount of detail and unbiased history in only 800 pages. Read more
Published on Sep 9 2001 by Jade Hildahl

5.0 out of 5 stars History Comes Alive
In THE STORY OF CHRISTIANITY, divided into two volumes, Justo Gonzales does a fantastic job of bringing the history of the church alive. Read more
Published on Dec 15 2000 by Michael Janke

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine survey of Church History
Gonzalez's book here is perhaps the best survey of church history available. His book is concise and scholarly. Read more
Published on Nov 18 2000 by David Bennett

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick Review
Readable, intermediate level introduction to the history of the Church. Comes in two volumes. Very scholarly and well-researched material.
Published on Jun 8 2000 by Reformed Library

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good read
After reading both Latourette's and Frend's huge and boring histories of Christianity, this book was a breath of fresh air! Read more
Published on May 27 2000 by R. Lester

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
This volume and the second volume are excellent. I'm in seminary, and these books have been very helpful for my church history courses. Read more
Published on Mar 25 2000 by A. Kennedy

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