The Story of Christianity: Volume 1 Kindle Edition
Author: Justo L. Gonzalez ID: B00JOGB2DU
Done.
File Size: 5689 KBPrint Length: 528 pagesPublisher: HarperOne; 2nd edition (November 25, 2014)Publication Date: November 25, 2014 Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers Language: EnglishID: B00JOGB2DUText-to-Speech: Enabled X-Ray: Enabled Word Wise: Not EnabledLending: Not Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Not Enabled Best Sellers Rank: #34,140 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #26 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Religion > Christianity > Biblical History & Culture #52 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality > Christian Books & Bibles > Churches & Church Leadership #96 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Churches & Church Leadership > Church History
I have a stack of church history books in my personal library, and many others that cover this period, not to mention having studied this material in seminary. Gonzalez’ work is undoubtedly the best of those. He has a remarkable gift: He is able to bring insights about the underlying processes at work in church history without actually needing to focus on them. He is able to discuss all of the major figures and movements of church history without making it seem laborious. He displays his depth by often bringing in details that are outside of the common narrative, but which supplement our understanding of the era, how and why the church develops — not just names and place. I can think of few other writers with this talent. It’s as easy to read as Church History in Plain Language, 3rd Edition but with rich insights like A History of Christianity, Volume 1: Beginnings to 1500 (Revised)
What this has meant for me is a deeper insight into church history while at the same time having a fun read. As for his perspective, Gonzalez is very even handed in volume I, however in volume II his bias as a liberal-leaning but believing protestant really comes through. He has an animus against anglo-protestant evangelicals and he writes that into his history. Which if you share that bias, it may be the perfect book for you. Regardless, volume I is fabulous no matter what perspective you are coming from and I highly recommend it!
I have assigned this book to the undergraduates (mostly sophomores) in my Early Christian Writings class as a narrative accompaniment to primary sources. On the one hand, it is helpful in giving students the big picture, as it provides all of the key names and dates of early Christianity, and its simple language is easy to process. On the other hand, its radical oversimplification of complex issues is at times misleading, and I occasionally have to trouble Gonzalez’s interpretation so that the undergraduates get a fuller and more complicated picture of Christian development. At other times, the author’s bias is too readily apparent: for example, he calls Marcus Aurelius "superstitious" (which is no doubt the same word Marcus Aurelius would have used for the Christians, as Pliny does in his correspondence with Trajan). Finally, I have found at least one factual error, as Gonzalez claims that Philip was the apostle whose authority Constantinople claimed; in fact, Andrew was Constantinople’s apostle. While I find these difficulties with the book troubling, I will probably continue to assign it to my undergraduates on account of its accessibility, affordable cost, and the many pictures that liven up the reading. But I will be on the lookout for something better.
Gonzalez’ magnum opus (so far) "The Story of Christianity", covers the background and setting in which Christianity developed historically. It is an interesting look into the primary figures and events that shaped Christian doctrine and practices as well as how Christianity affected the world around it.
Although Gonzalez is a professed Protestant, I personally did not find any blatant bias within the text itself. Gonzalez creates a strong narrative using the facts available, which should entice readers of any persuasion to delve further into Church History (especially Jaroslav Pelikan’s history).
The only drawback of the book is that it possibly could have spent more time developing what happened between Pentecost and the establishment of the Nicene Church. However, it is impossible for a book to be all things to all people, so this is not as much a criticism as it is a comment.
Download The Story of Christianity: Volume 1 Kindle Edition
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