Product Description

Nearly two decades ago Hank Hanegraaff's award-winning Christianity in Crisis alerted the world to the dangers of a cultic movement within Christianity that threatened to undermine the very foundation of biblical faith. But in the 21st century, there are new dangers-new teachers who threaten to do more damage than the last.

These are not obscure teachers that Hanegraaff unmasks. We know their names. We have seen their faces, sat in their churches, and heard them shamelessly preach and promote the false pretexts of a give-to-get gospel. They are virtual rock stars who command the attention of presidential candidates and media moguls. Through make-believe miracles, urban legends, counterfeit Christs, and twisted theological reasoning, they peddle an occult brand of metaphysics that continues to shipwreck the faith of millions around the globe:

"God cannot do anything in this earthly realm unless we give Him permission."

"Keep saying it-'I have equality with God'-talk yourself into it."

"Being poor is a sin."

"The Jews were not rejecting Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews!"

"You create your own world the same way God creates His. He speaks, and things happen; you speak, and they happen."

Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century exposes darkness to light, pointing us back to a Christianity centered in Christ.

From the Preface:

"Having lost the ability to think biblically, postmodern Christians are being transformed from cultural change agents and initiators into cultural conformists and imitators. Pop culture beckons, and postmodern Christians have taken the bait. As a result, the biblical model of faith has given way to an increasingly bizarre array of fads and formulas."

Customer Reviews (162)

Judge Not
This guy needs to be not read, not bought, not listened to. He is damaging to the Body of Christ. I pray he is quieted, and realizes we need him IN the fight not against it.

could not have been more pleased
Heard of book on radio talk show and just had to have it!I knew that I might be able to find it on amazon much cheaper then the bookstore.I found book...ordered it because of the persons (I forgot his name) rating and got my wonderful book only 4 days later.I wish I could find out his name so I could order from him more.......maybe you could help me :)Thanks to all of you who work so hard behind the senes to provide us with books at such a great price........................................Patricia

Smart and dumb at the same time
I really wanted to like this book.I love theological debate.This book takes a hard look at the faith movement and the ideology of such faith movement preachers like the mega-popular Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and others.First let me say that I in no way, shape or form endorse Hank Hanegraaff NOR am I opposed to him.I actually had no idea who Hank Hanegraaff was other than the guy who hosts the Bible Answerman podcast which I have frequently listened to.I also tend to disagree with about as much as I agree with him on that program.I happened to notice this book was by the same person.My intelligence was really insulted with this book.While Hanegraaff has a verbose vocabulary he has the uber-annoying ability to treat his readers as ignorant with habitual use of silly acronyms.Theology aside, the book goes from treating it's reader as intelligent to ignorant often in the same sentence.If there is anything I can't stand out of an author it's treating the reader as ignorant.Do any of his criticisms of the modern faith movement have merit?I don't know I'm too lost in acronyms.

Book Review
I did not enjoy this book, it was hard to get into, and i didn't finish. It may have just been me, or the time, but It was a hard read.

"Word of Faith" televangelists continue to shock and astound
Having read the original Christianity in Crisis only a few years ago, I was already wondering when an update or 2nd edition would come out, dealing with the newest crop of televangelists. At the time I had read the first book, most of the older generation of televangelists were unknown to me, and the new stars on scene, like Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, etc, were not covered in the book. Christianity in Crisis 21st Century answers that need amply.

For anyone who is not familiar with the work, it is a very readable exposé of the "Word of Faith" movement, which is largely represented by big name televangelists like Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Paul and Jan Crouch, Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and others. The Word of Faith movement claims to represent genuine, faith-filled Christianity, and true spirituality--but do the teachings, "miracles", words and actions of these "faith megastars" really bear that out? The meticulously documented and thorough examination of the evidence provides a devastating challenge to such claims, and should leave any reader, Christian or not, astonished at what these televangelists teach. And this is a matter of real concern, as these teachers have a huge influence over many millions of Christians today, and the newer, sometimes more subtle stars like Osteen, Meyer, and Jakes, have elevated these dangerous teachings to a whole new level of mainstream popularity.

Ever since reading the first book, I have been astonished at how widespread the books of these televangelists are in Christian bookstores and catalogues. T.D. Jakes, who openly denies the essential Christian teaching of the Trinity, has gained such acclaim that the New York Times compared him favorably to Billy Graham. Meyer and Osteen reflect the same errors and distortions about the atonement (how Christ paid for our sin) and the doctrine of God and man that are characteristic of the "old-school Word of Faith movement." Yet they represent a "softer" and sometimes less-offensive sell of the same ideas. It should be a matter of grave concern for Christians that this movement deviates widely from orthodox Christianity, and yet is continuing to gain a huge audience. More than before, many people, Christian or not, identify these teachers as part of the public face of Christianity, despite their aberrant teachings.

As the reader will see and hear from the televangelist's own mouths, their teachings do not represent innocuous little mistakes or differences of opinion on minute theological questions, but rather serious errors and distortions on the heart and foundation of basic Christian teachings. The reader should find ample evidence to show that these teachers do not represent authentic or orthodox Christianity and should be clearly disavowed. At stake are the teaching of the Trinity: that there is one true God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Also the essential difference between God and man in their powers and limitations. The Word of Faith movement persistently and brazenly teaches in a way that demotes God to a helpless and weak being--light years away from how He is portrayed in the Bible (some call God the "greatest failure" in the Bible!!). They simultaneously elevate man to having equal or greater power than God, so that God is bound by our demands, if we know how to properly command Him with the "Word of Faith." (Many of the "Word of Faith" teachers call themselves and Christians who follow their teachings as little gods or even messiahs).

Also at stake is the person of Christ and His work of salvation. As they do with God, they also demote Christ and elevate Satan's power, and make radical changes to what the Bible teaches about how salvation was accomplished. You have to read it for yourself to believe it. Additionally they twist Scriptures mercilessly to make Jesus into a fabulously dressed rich man, and urge that true disciples of Jesus should experience the same material prosperity. Their teachings on physical healing have devastating consequences on believers who have faith in God despite handicaps or other illnesses. This is seen in many heart-breaking personal accounts from those who've left the movement or been burned by its theology. Rather than bringing people the comfort of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they burden them with false blame for their own sickness. Indeed, to say these televangelists accurately represent authentic Christianity is to defend the turning of the Scriptures completely upside down.

I have a few minor criticisms of the book. One is that there is a certain degree of repetitiveness in the book, which is apparently intentional from a teaching and reinforcing standpoint. However, sometimes the same quote would be found 3 or 4 times throughout the book. Also, the use of acronyms to summarize main points didn't strike me as particularly helpful, but it seemed to be reduced from the previous book, so it wasn't such a dominant feature. Additional teaching acronyms were found in the appendix for those who like that. Finally, in providing a fair analysis of the teachers, which I believe Hanegraaf did very well by ample quotation, I think it would have been good to note (perhaps in an appendix) which of the teachers have avoided certain of the errors, if any. For example, I've heard that some of the "new breed" don't make such direct appeals for money, though they still hold to the prosperity teaching. Perhaps this would require too exhaustive of a knowledge of their writings and sermons, however.

Even secular TV reporters have "sounded the alarm" on several of the televangelists. Not merely from a theological angle, but exposing the extravagant lifestyles, private jets and exotic vacations paid for out of "ministry" dollars; lack of financial transparency; the impossibility of verifying any of the supposed healings that take place at rallies; as well as some of the brazen backlash that the televangelists have made against any investigation of them. Hopefully this book will continue to serve as a wake-up call to misled Christians, and the false teachings of this dangerous movement can once and for all be discarded and disregarded. The crisis is real.


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Product Description
The third edition of this classic textbook on church history is updated to the late twentieth century.200,000 copies are in print through the first three printings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Nice book, not as fast as i would like...
Came in the time he said just wish it would have been faster. Book as in good condition, but i would not have called it "Like new"

A Review of "Earle E. Cairns Personal Theology"
Cairns isn't subtle in conveying his theological opinions in his book.It is clear from the beginning that he is a card carrying, five point following Calvinist.Which is great, except that this leads him to do the following: to embarrassingly limit his history of the Christian church and to bash anyone in church history who disagreed with Calvinism in any way.Sadly, Cairns' dislike of anything Catholic that is prevalent throughout the book is almost mean spirited.He also doesn't even devote any print at all to the Orthodox Church.There has to be a Christian book that more objectively reviews the history of the church.

Needs to Double Check the Facts
Let me start by saying that I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) and I know for a fact that they teach that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior! However, on page 435 of this book the author says "...do not give Christ His rightful place as Lord and Savior in their theology." In all fairness the author indicates that this is from another source, but that does not excuse using a blatant lie. If you doubt what I am saying then ask yourself why would a church name themselves after Jesus Christ if they did not feel he was lord and savior? For me that means the author has a very slanted view and the rest of the book can not be counted on to speak truthfully of the facts.

If you need to read about early Christianity then watch the biblical shows that pop up on the history channel. Another source to check out are the Gnostic teachings and/or some of Sylvia Browne's books.

New Addition...

I obtained this book for free, and I over paid. Always

- Question what you are told, and take nothing for granted. Examples - Is it possible that only Adam and Eve created humanity? Maybe Noah's flood was a local event based on an actual event?

- Answer your questions. Go out and search for the answers no matter where it takes you, but be warned your answers might challenge your beliefs (that's a good thing), and lead to even more questions. From a purely scientific point of view Adam and Eve could not have been the sole parents of everyone...unless Cain and Abel married their sisters then had kids. Why is it that only cultures that came from the around the Indian ocean have a mythology of a world flood? Perhaps the basin of the Indian Ocean had a massive earthquake that caused a Tsunami, or an asteroid hit the ocean. Both events would cause massive flooding in all coastal areas around the Indian Ocean but not in the rest of the world.

- Repeat the above steps.

Through the Centuries
Great book! Covers church history not only chronologically, but by certain topics, with helpful charts. At the end of every chapter are also suggested reading materials for a more in-depth study.

let me be very honest with you...
I'm sure this book is great, but considering I had to read it for a college class I wanted to fall asleep each time I picked it up. If your looking for a great book on the history of Christianity you'll love this, if your looking for a good book to fall asleep to, this one is for you too. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

AS EXPECTED
TYPICAL ORBIS PRESS NONSENSE!If any faithful Catholic has found a book by Orbis without nonsense let me know.

A Phenomenological Understanding
There are many reviews posted for this book. As far as I can see, at the moment, none acknowledges the significant philosophical change in perspective that Nolan has adopted in this book. He does not write from the classical philosophical perspective of the Western philosopher or theologian. Any philosopher of phenomenology will appreciate what Nolan says in Chapter 19 about the spirit that motivated Jesus of Nazareth and that motivates us today. Chapters 1 through 18 will be of special interest to the theologian. They are especially significant when understood from a phenomenological perspective. I dare suggest that a phenomenological understanding of Nolan's work will correct the long-standing habit of Christians noted by Nolan. "Jesus has been more frequently honoured and worshipped for what he did not mean than for what he did mean" (p.3). In short, phenomenological philosophy discloses the baggage of scholastic philosophy that has contributed to this undesireable habit. To my mind, any Thomistic, neo-classical, or Hellenist philosopher who chooses to become familiar with the phenomenological perspective and then re-read the book will encounter additional personal insights about the Christian spirit.

Disappointing to me.
Albert Nolan presents an image of Jesus before Christianity who is full of compassion and an exemplary willingness to suffer in order to conquer suffering in the world.This theme seems to run throughout the book. This, in itself is very commendable.But Nolan's Jesus has been practically stripped of his divine nature using assumptions that are reminiscent of the Jesus Seminar's questionable scholarship.The miracle stories are matter-of-factly dismissed as embellishments added later by the Church along with many other statements attributed to Jesus in the Gospels that don't fit their (desired?) image of Jesus.The reasoning supporting this reductionism isn't explained in the book, but its conclusions are taken to be well founded.

It was disappointing to me that, after 25 years since the book's first publication, Nolan still considered this view of Jesus to be entirely relevant, even more so in 2001 than in 1976 (p. ix), in no need of revision in light of the scholarly debate that has taken place in that time.Other views that one might want to consider are The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is by N. T. Wright, The Real Jesus : The Misguided Quest for the Historical Jesus and the Truth of the Traditional Gospels by Luke Timothy Johnson and The Many Faces of Christ: The Christologies of the New Testament and Beyond by Ben Witherington, III.It's easy to find others who present seriously considerable challenges to Nolan's picture of Jesus and the scholarship that supports it.(For an in-depth treatment of the Gospels as eyewitness testimony see Richard Bauckham's more recent book Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels As Eyewitness Testimony.)

In his work, N. T. Wright puts forth a challenge to Christians to do the difficult work of rethinking their image of Jesus in light of new historical and biblical understanding.In my opinion, studying a picture of Jesus that was in vogue 33 years ago will not serve readers well today in meeting that challenge.

Jesus the Man, Before He Became the Object of Christian Faith
Albert Nolan does an admirable job of putting the life of Jesus into historical and social context.The work is obviously highly researched, but is in an easy-to-read and highly understandable format.

Rather than recount the Biblical stories, he analyzes them to uncover Jesus' intentions by looking for evidence of his decisions and choices.He concentrates heavily on the people to whom Jesus gave his attention:the poor, the blind, the lame, the crippled, the lepers, the hungry, the sinners, the prostitutes, and the downtrodden.There is a constant theme throughout this book emphasizing the compassion of Jesus for such people.He was himself a middle class man, neither poor nor oppressed, but moved with compassion for those who were "like sheep without a shepherd."

The author shows how Jesus differed from his contemporaries, and the political and social climate that drew great crowds to see him.He points out Jesus' motive for performing miracles of healing was simply compassion, not a desire to prove that he was the Messiah.The mission of Jesus was to awaken the same compassion and the same faith in the people around him.It will be impossible to finish this book and not be moved to rethink your own life, refocusing it on the priorities Jesus demonstrated daily.

Best Book I have ever read ...

This is absolutely the best book I have ever read.It is so intriguing that I have read it at least twice and have extensively highlighted and marked the text.

It is got to be one of the greatest masterpieces of our age.

Carl
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Product Description
(Revised Edition) One of Cardinal Ratzinger's most important and widely read books, this volume is a newly revised second edition with an improved translation and an in-depth 20 page preface by the Cardinal. As he states in the preface, since this book was first published over 30 years ago, many changes and significant events have occurred in the world, and in the Church. But even so, he says he is firmly convinced that his fundamental approach in this book is still very timely and crucial for the spiritual needs of modern man. That approach puts the question of God and the question about Christ in the very center, which leads to a "narrative Christology" and demonstrates that the place for faith is in the Church.

Thus, this remarkable elucidation of the Apostle's Creed gives an excellent, modern interpretation of the foundations of Christianity. Ratzinger's profound treatment of Christianity's basic truths combines a spiritual outlook with a deep knowledge of Scripture and the history of theology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

amazon book purchase
the book is in really good shape for a used book. no highlighting, but there is some underlining in pencil which was easily erased.

Finally, the whole story
I was amazed, startled, gratified, and vastly uplifted by this "Introduction."

Validated in some things I've wondered about over the years, but never learned in Catholic school, I was also challenged to rethink much of the "dogma" that I had been taught. Not that the "facts" that I was taught were wrong, but that the meaning of those facts, the implications and point to myself as a Christian, were glossed over or dismissed as "intellectual." This author is, besides incredibly learned and scholarly, actively compassionate well beyond the norm of theologians. He writes not to elevate himself in the eyes of his peers, but to explore the whole truth of Christ with the reader, including the history recorded in Scripture, the early Church developments, and recent history's redactions. His clarity is unparalleled, and his thoughts on this crucial topic are accessible and heart-provoking. Best book on Christianity that I've ever read.

An Indepth Study of The Creed---Outstanding!
The title "Introduction to Christianity" is a misnomer.This is not an introduction for those unfamiliar with Christianity.It is a study of the biblical, philosophical and rational beliefs which make up the Christian faith.

This book begins with a study of faith in the world today, followed by the form of faith offered by the Church.He presents the tenets of the Apostles Creed, line by line.In so doing he draws on the Bible, the writings of theologians and literary figures throughout the ages as well as his own reflections.He explains the meanings of the portions of the Creed.The reader is introduced to differing interpretations of some of the clauses.An example of this is the theology of the Incarnation, meaning that God becoming man is the most important fact, versus the theology of the Cross, which emphasizes the actions of Jesus.His Holiness examines difficulties, real and apparent, in the texts and concepts about them.For some he is able to provide guidance to what he regards as the correct conclusion, for others he just leaves the difficulty for our discernment.

To my way of thinking, this is a deep book.For those with more theological training than me, it may be an introduction.Although it is deep, it is also rewarding.It has opened my eyes to new interpretations of the Creed.It has led me to think deeply about God and His relation to man and our relations to each other.I am sure that I will think often about what I have learned from this book and will refer to it in the future.For anyone with a reasonable background in theology and a desire to understand our call from God, this book is outstanding.It is, simply, one of the best books that I have ever read.

Neat
Really good, but really hard. Not an "Introduction" in the way most of us understand the word.But it is B16, so it is well worth trying to understand.

Beyond the unassuming introduction
Let not the unassuming title mislead you. This is not a simple introduction to Christianity but a bold philosophical treatise to the heart of Christianity. In this commentary on the Apostle's creed, Father Ratzinger first dissects what it means to assert, "We believe..." and continues to the conclusion on what (or rather who) is the essence of Christianity. Christianity is not a religion or a creed but a person. It is a challenge to the philosophies of men and their attempts to understand God outside the context of the Son.

Father Ratzinger draws on unlikely philosophers and theologians such as Nietzsche and Luther to make his point. He finds and reveals truth in the Lutheran martyr Bonhoeffer and his passion.But Father Ratzinger takes us beyond simply finding deep philosophical truths and guides us to a passion and adoration of the personification of truth in Jesus.Father Ratzinger seems to echo Francis Bacon who said, "A little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion."Only, the religion of Father Ratzinger is not a thing but a person. The book ends with the hope that is contained in that person, "A salvation of the world does exist - that is the confidence that supports the Christian and that still makes it rewarding even today to be a Christian."

There is enough philosophical insight here to challenge the most theoretical thinkers.But Father Ratzinger does not stop at mere theory but goes on to the concrete implications to the Christian found in that theory. There is perhaps no more thorough "introduction" than this to a vibrant faith. Well worth the investment of reading and re-reading to plumb the depths of philosophical truths contained in that faith. Very highly recommended for every Christian. ... Read more

Product Description
For the first time in 400 years the Catholic Church has authorized an official universal catechism which instantly became an international best-seller, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Using this official Catechism, the highly-regarded author and professor Peter Kreeft presents a complete compendium of all the major beliefs of Catholicism written in his readable and concise style.

Since the Catechism of the Catholic Church was written for the express purpose of grounding and fostering catechisms based on it for local needs and ordinary readers, Kreeft does just that, offering a thorough summary of Catholic doctrine, morality, and worship in a popular format with less technical language. He presents a systematic, organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental Catholic teachings in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church's Tradition.

This book is the most thorough, complete and popular catechetical summary of Catholic belief in print that is based on the universal Catechism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Best Catechism book on Catholicism ever
I have read many version of Catholic Catechism, and this one is the best.This is the one that I use when I teach RCIA or in my diaconate studies.

brilliant, orthodox and easy
I have owned this book for over a month - Dr. Kreeft has done a wonderful work with the easy explanation, references and footnotes. I think that this book is a must have for every Catholic aiming to understand and explore his/her faith.

The Whole Truth and Nothing but The Truth
"Catholic Christianity" illumines the teaching and doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church which is truly the Mother Church to which Christ himself entrusted all 7 of His Holy Sacraments when administered through the Holy Spirit give to give grace.

Those who would criticize this book are not experiencing the Fullness of Faith.They are truly missing out on all Seven Holy Sacraments, 7 books of the Old Testament and more.It is not that the Church or writers think that they are superior but in Truth this catechetical commentary's couched.

The Church recognizes all Christians as brothers and sisters and does not exclude anyone unless they exclude themselves individually or as a group.

Kreeft plumbs the depths of the faith in this writing and provides theologically sound answers.It is convenient to read and you can begin in the middle or on a topic that interests you.Personally, a highlighter and red pen come in handy underscore the texts that provide you with "Aha!" moments.

If you are preparing to Come Into Full Communion or would simply like to learn more about the faith, this well-written,concise book and Sacred Scriptures will give you a sound basic theological learning experience.

As a companion book, and for lighter reading I would encourage everyone to read Scott Hahn's "All Roads Lead to Rome."

Kreeft provides the framework and Hahn provides the insight of personal experience.Well done!

An Excellent Book
This is an excellent book. Dr. Kreeft has a wonderful gift of taking very complex issues and explaining them in a way that makes them understandable to all. If you want to understand the beliefs and/or Catechism of the Catholic Church, read this book.

Great book
The book is a perfect guide to the Catholic Faith.It explains what is true but in a clearer way than thought possible.It uses the CCC to guide the whole book but guides the reader explaining the reasoning behind the Catholic Church's position, which for me was always something difficult to understand. ... Read more

Product Description

Beginning with the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, this second volume of The Story of Christianity continues narrative history to the present. Historian Justo Gonzalez brings to life the people, dramatic events, and shaping ideas of Protestantism, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy during this period, keynoting crucial theological developments while providing fresh understanding of the social, political, and economic forces that influenced the formation of the church. In particular, the author notes recurring themes of unrest, rebellion, and reformation.

Gonzalez presents an illuminating record of the lives, impelling ideas, and achievements of such prominent figures as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin--movers and shapers in the emerging Protestant church. His biographical insights, in conjunction with vivid historical accounts, reveal how individual lives mirror and clarify core theological concerns and developments.

The interpretive overview of The Story ofChristianity includes a thorough and timely analysis of the growth and maturation of Christianity, including events in Europe, the United States, and Latin America--the latter an area too often neglected in church histories, yet increasingly vital to an understanding of Christianity's historical development, present situation, and future, options.

Gonzalez's richly textured study discusses the changes and directions of the church in the traditions of Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Christianity. The Story of Christianity covers such recent occurrences as the World Council of Churches, the Second Vatican Council, the movement toward Christian unity, and much more. It concludes with a thoughtful look at the major issues and debates involving Christians today.

Customer Reviews (15)

Well written overview
Excellent, easy to read book about the history of Christianity. Touches a lot of subjects without going into too great of depth, also has further resources listed after each section. Not afraid to tell the ugly parts. Author has a good understanding of & writes well, even about subjects that as you get closer to the end you find may not be what he believes. As you draw closer to the current time it is more and more of an overview - as if you are familiar with certain periods you will find much left out. This is not really a big issue since you can research further & the book accomplishes its goal well within a reasonable length. Also as you get closer to the present "Christianity" becomes increasingly broadly defined and attention is given to a lot of the things in the last couple centuries that have weakened the church (doctrinal compromises, re-interpreting scripture based on culture & "science"). This is good, because these movements are strong in "Christianity", and important to understand in order to see the problems in the church today, but it won't fill you in on more positive things like a resurgence of Reformed theology & a return to an understanding of Biblical inerrancy happening now. Of course, present day is 1984 so some of these things have gained more strength more recently.

History that is fun to read
Referring to both volumes 1 & 2 which can be bought in a single volume The Story of Christianity... Gonzalez offers a incredible amount of historical detail in only 800 pages. His presentation is non-threatening and lacking in significant bias so Protestant and Catholic alike should be able to appreciate his scholarly work. It is extremely well written with more of the flavor and feel of a historical novel than a text book. However, this is a mark of the author's talent because these two volumes offer one of the very best historical surveys of Christianity ever written.

The reader can expect to take away a bit of information on almost every significant issue, personage, and event impacting Christianity over the past 2000 years. The exposure is not labored down with excessive words, it sticks to the facts, and does so with a "story like" feel. If one then wishes to dig deeper into a particular event or figure, the surrounding skeletal details on which to hang further exploration will be in place once one has read Gonzalez.

Even for the secular historian, I would recommend these two volumes on world history. The reason being that religion has played a significant role in the decisions not only of the church, but also in the politics of nations and empires past.

This ends the main thoughts of my review, however, for those readers of Gonzales who find themselves appreciating his style of historical presentation and wishing to explore further -- perhaps for the home school educator, I would recommend two books specifically pertaining to American history, namely The Story of Liberty: So You Will Comprehend What Liberty Has Cost, ...and What It Is Worth and Sweet Land of Liberty by Charles Coffin. Both books are available here on Amazon.com

Pertaining now to both Gonzales and Coffin, history is very often in a state of flux, being written and re-written to fit the viewpoints of the prevailing social mindset. As a result facts can become distorted and lessons learned in past failures are, sadly, teed up to be revisited and relearned the hard way in the laboratory of social re-experimentation. To those readers of this review who can hear what I'm saying, then here in the work of Gonzalez is an opportunity to learn from the past and to know true Christian History as the pendulum of thought within the church has continued to swing to and fro with iron sharpening iron and the fires of purification refining and protecting the Way of the Church over time.As "new" thoughts spark new scholarly debate, the Truth has prevailed while aborted attempts at "new revelation" and "mysteries" that have been "hidden" from all others are, as the reader of Gonzalez will see, held in check over time so that when we see those same "secrets" being presented as something "new" today, we can learn from the efforts of our predecessors.

I've mentioned the work of Coffin because the revisionism taking place today to re-write world history and Christian history very often dovetails with the same efforts underway to re-write America's Judeo-Christian heritage -- a heritage that for many years protected the freedom of all peoples regardless of their religious beliefs, including the strong faith necessary to be an Atheist. In many other cultures upheld today as models of where America should go, this freedom from religious tyranny is not experienced by the populous. We still cling to the remnants of this freedom in America and are able to share diverse beliefs from our neighbors while respecting them and living peacefully with them as "fellow Americans" because of the efforts of America's wise founders -- women and men who were willing to die for freedom if necessary and gave this gift to their children because they first turned to the pages of Jewish and Christian history and politics upon which to model our great nation. For these very reasons, I would suggest that it helps to read of history from the pens of those who were eye-witnesses to the events in question.

Coffin's books which were written in the 1800's offer just such a viewpoint of what really happened in Colonial America from the perspective of someone (Coffin) living at the time and as such they are devoid of later revisionism as presented to the malleable minds of children and college students in North America today.

All that (and admittedly too verbosely) said, amazingly, Gonzales has managed to quite masterfully present the facts to his reader as though they were eye-witness accounts. Gonzalez has managed to avoid bias in his relatively modern account of "The Story of Christianity" as his readers will agree and other reviewers here will testify.

The Story of Christianity: Volume Two - The Reformation to the Present Day by
Great book and it is an easy reader.It is very helpful for the Reformation Period in Church History.

Highly Informative
This second volume of Justo Gonzalez III is more intriguing than the first one. This work renders to the reader an overview of many of the religious leaders and the times in which they lived, and how forces, both internal and external, shaped their theology. Dr. Gonzalez presents such historical figures as Luther, Zwingli, Cramner, Ignatius, Elizabeth I, as well as many contemporary leaders and the legacy they left they behind.

Why I enjoyed this book so much is that it provides the readers with answers to questions that we do not think about but should. Questions like when was the term "Protestant" coined? What were the circumstances which gave rise to the American Sunday School? What does a Quaker believe? Why did England remain Protestant despite repeated attempts to re-unite with the Papacy? These and other answers are provided including the origins of many religious movements which either died out (like the Shakers) or gained popularity and became institutionalized as churches (such as the Methodists).Gonzalez takes the reader from the Reformation to our modern world presented in the light of Vatican II and the world wide mission movement and evangelism.

Greatly appreciated and similar to the first volume, Dr. Gonzalez presents Christianity not as an isolated faith but one that is influenced and challenged by society and in returns has interacted with it throughout the centuries. This latter work is highly readable, highly enjoyable, and highly informative.

Very Engaging
When it comes to Christian history, it is quite easy to become overwhelmed.2,000 years and much of it unknown to modern Christians, evangelicals and liberals alike.We are like children who have no knowledge of who we are because we have little information of where we came from.

Our schools have recognized that cultural diversity in the classroom is a good thing - instead of a flat, uniform mass, we are to see the contours and difficulties, the strengths and the weaknesses of a variety of peoples and environments.Unfortunately, this idea is almost completely missing from the Church.We have very little sense of where we have been and the struggles previous generations faced.

Gonzalez, in Vol. 2, takes the reader from the Reformation through to the present in an easy, engaging style.There is much to praise here - he brings out so many valuable gems from church history and encourages greater reflection and study in each area.If you have never done any reading on church history, this is a good place to start.

A couple of quibbles: as with most historians, he gets less objective the closer he gets to the modern period.This is understandable, simply because of the nature of historical analysis.We're too much entangled with the issues of our day and time to see things from a long perspective.Consider it like this - a telescope is an excellent tool for searching the stars, but it becomes less valuable when trying to drive down the highway.The last section of the book is the least valuable in terms of objectivity.

Secondly, Gonzalez does tip his hand regarding "confessionalism" and scholasticism - as is evident from the last section of the book, he is very interested in the ecumenical developments during the late 20th century.By the very nature of ecumenical discussion, theological distinctives must be downplayed or ignored.So, it isn't shocking to me that he repeatedly views eras in church history where theologians attempted to clarify their beliefs as low points.However, clarity is not something to be dismissed or ignored - and it isn't fair to pit clarity against genuine belief.If you haven't, I'd suggested reading the Heidelberg Catechism which was penned during a time of high confessionalism and scholasticism.

Final quibble - like many, Gonzalez makes the mistake of pitting Calvin against the Calvinists (the Puritans).According to this interpretation, the Puritans misread and misapplied the simple and genuine faith of Calvin by making it cold, arid, and rigid.This view is compounded by books like "The Scarlet Letter" and "The Crucible" which paint such a gloriously awful picture of Puritans that only a fool would support them.If you are interested in re-examining this caricature, consider reading Muller's "Post-Reformational Dogmatics."He puts this debate to bed for good.

Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.Good job. ... Read more

Product Description
A survey of the various ways--often unrecognized and overlooked--whereby Christianity has impacted the world, making the world a better place and enriching our everyday living. Formerly titled Under the Influence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Jumped Around Too Much
Full disclosure:I only read half the book.That being said, I had to put it down because I found that Schmidt really covers things haphazardly and briefly jumping from one historical time period to the next far too quickly.Also, I admit that I was looking for a more focused analysis rather than what was provided by the author.Since I've already studied Christian history a bit I didn't really find anything in here that I didn't already know.Perhaps this book would have been more interesting if I were younger and was just learning about Christian history. The author's writing style is too topical, basic, and dry.There is also a tendency in him to be so overtly Christian that it is annoying, despite the fact that I am a Christian also.I didn't like his moralizing tendency either.I would have liked this book better if the author just stuck to history rather than trying to puff up Christianity.If I were a nonbeliever I would have been quite put off by this book very quickly as the author beats you over the head with the fact that he believes in the bodily resurrection of Jesus repeatedly in the first chapter.It's a shame because Christianity has had a positive impact on the world and the topic of this book is excellent.However, I didn't find the handling of that topic very inpiring and would encourage other readers to find a better read on this interesting subject.

No History Here, Just A Lutheran Preacher Preaching To The Choir...Nothing More
A quick survey of the editorial review and the puffed-up, positive reviews immediately tells me that the author is certainly no historian.He ignores centuries and centuries of history.And I see a pattern of taking credit for otherwise natural cultural change.Has he never heard of the dark ages? Has he never heard of the Spanish Inquisition? I suspect even an amateur historian could spot multiple errors on virtually all of his points.Even I can see the error in his basic premise.As a self-proclaimed academic and Lutheran clergyman, he should realize the problem with building an argument on sand instead of rock.From the beginning, he is building his book on a weak foundation of sandy assumptions and half-truths.And trust me, I can already see the half truths in this book from the Forward alone.

The very fact that he references James Kennedy so much tells me the book is historically inaccurate and misleading.Poor ole revisionist James Kennedy never preached a sermon that was not misleading and full of half truths.Just give me five minutes of any one James Kennedy sermon and I can prove it easily.

This is not a legitimate book for a study of the influence of Christianity. It is a Lutheran preacher who is preaching to the choir, not a true history of Christianity's influence on the world.

A book the enemies of Christianity would hate...
(Please excuse any possible language mistakes)
I very much liked this book, since it can be used to help the opponents of Christianity, see Christianity from a perspective most of them cannot even imagine, that is, since they are taught to imagine only horrible things regarding it (Imagine that!...). BUT, I have to make one point clear:
I definitely cannot agree with what is said about how Christianity... God... sees women. I am given the impression the author seems to lack knowledge as to Paul's own words in 1Co 14 and elsewhere regarding women. If I remember correctly, the author says that women were not allowed to talk, and that Christianity changed that. No, Biblical Christianity did not change that. I mean, what about Paul's own words?? It's like the author was not aware of them (see e.g. pg.102, the last paragraph in "The Low Status of Hebrew Women", or pg.109 on "Some anomalies") or didn't care much about them, and just disregarded them, or various other clear passages in the Old Testament (Lev 12:1-5, 27:1-8, Eze 20:26). No, the status of women before God has not changed. Scared Christianity must accept this, because there is no good reason not to!! God has His own order of things, an order that was around before man was created...
Regarding women wearing the veil he says referring to 1Co 11 on the bottom of pg.113 and the on pg.114: "St.Paul did urge the women in the Corinthian church to cover their heads (1 Corinthians 11:5-16)......................Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, in which he tells women to dress in modest apparel and not braid their hair, makes no mention that they need to be veiled (1Timothy 2:8-9). In this instance, he does not even tell them to cover their heads."
Some comments/clarifications on this.
1)Paul did not just urge Corinthians on the issue. 1st Corinthians
addresses the Corinthians, but involves all Christians everywhere!
1Co 1:1-3 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2)The veil, as Paul teached about it, had nothing to do with the use of the veil in the nations. He taught that the veil be worn specifically when a brother or sister in the church is either prophesying or praying.
3)This being the case, it is completely normal that he did not refer to the veil in 1Ti 2:8-9; it is related only to prophecy and prayer.

In conclusion, I really wish the chapter on women was not in the book, or at least most of what is said there; I do not consider it Biblically accurate and I have my doubts on some of its historicity (what about the matristic or gynecocratic societies?).
Having said the above, I definitely still (!!) give it a thumbs up, for the all the rest of the information. These are things the world must know, but firstly, the church.
God bless!

How christianity changed the world
I do not care to write a review of the book.But I will tell you we checked it out at the library and my husband wanted his own copy.

For those who do not want to know it
How much? Nobody knows. But this book gives many examples that it did change the world` s course in many positive ways. Even knowledgeable believers will be amazed at how many of our present institutions and values reflect a Christian origin. Not only countless individual lives but civilization itself was transformed by Jesus Christ and his followers.Christians committed a lot of crimes. But when they did, they did it not in accordance with the Christian faith, rather they were in that case unfaithful. This book`s task is not to work out in how far true Christian faith or wrong conceptions about how the faith has to be practised influenced the world. It wants to say that the Christian faith alone produces good fruits, which after reading the book is hardly deniable. In the ancient world, Christ` steachings elevated brutish standards or morality, halted infanticide, enhanced human life, emancipated women, abolished slavery, inspired charities and relief organizations, created hospitals, established orphanages, and founded schools. All this fits the theory that a valuable philosophy has always to prove truth carrying capacity in practise.
Christianity even kept classical culture alive through recopying manuscripts, building libraries, moderating warfare through truce days and providing dispute arbitration. It were Christians who invented colleges and universities, dignified labour as a divine vocation, and extended the light of civilization to barbarians on the frontiers. In the modern era, Christian teaching, properly expressed, advanced science, instilled concepts of political and social and economic freedom. Fostered justice, and provided the greatest single source of inspiration for the achievements in art, architecture, music, and literature that we treasure. That Faith seems to be the most powerful agent in transforming society for the better across 2 thousand years since Jesus lived on Earth. No other religion, philosophy, teaching, nation, movement - whatever- has so changed the world for the better as Christianity has done.
Many today who disparage Christianity may not know or believe that, were it not for Christianity, they would not have the freedom that they presently enjoy. The very freedom of speech and expression that ironically permits them to castigate Christian values is largely a by-product of Christianities influences that have been incorborated into the social fabric of the Western world. This freedom ironically permits the possessors of freedom to dishonour the very source of their freedom, as Fernand Braudel stated: "Throughout the history of the West, Christianity has been at the heart of the civilization it inspires, even when it has allowed itself to be captured or deformed by it." When I mentioned this in respect of the freedom of press in a reader`s letter the editor expurgated it.
The book contains 15 chapters in which all this is elucidated. The Christian faith transformed many people to the better, changed the moral values of the antique society to the good, as well as the status of the women who had no rights in ancient times. It brought the development and maintenance of Christian Charity and Compassion, it gave origin and development to hospitals, it set milestones in education, it improved the perspectives of labour and economics, it advocated and enriched scientific research, it brought up the ideas of liberty and justice to secure it with laws and in constitutions, it influenced strongly art and architecture and highlighted music and literature and much more. Where would we be in the world without Christianity? Maybe nowhere!
... Read more

Product Description
Having long served as a standard introduction to the world of the early church, Everett Ferguson's "Backgrounds of Early Christianity" has been expanded and updated in this third edition. The book explores and unpacks the Roman, Greek, and Jewish political, social, religious, and philosophical backgrounds necessary for a good historical understanding of the New Testament and the early church. New to this edition are revisions of Ferguson's original material, updated bibliographies, and fresh discussions of first-century social life, of Gnosticism, and of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Jewish literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Good Reference Source
This book is good for extensive raw info about the cultural setting from which Christianity emerged--actually, the scope of his topic is so broad I wondered if the title shouldn't have been "Intro to Western Civilization".The author provides a lot more factual material than he does commentary; he only occasionally, then briefly, analyzes the relationships between early Christianity and its cultural context.He does seem particularly eager to distinguish Christianity from certain things it might resemble, e.g. other religions which also have resurrection themes. But mostly he provides the background and leaves it at that.I thought that he might tie it all together in the final chapter, and he does provide a few good insights there, but not in proportion to the amount of material he'd covered in the previous chapters.

Despite this it's a good book, ambitious in its scope and essential for its bibliography, which provides "further reading" sources after each section; the book also has actual footnotes. This is a welcome change from the lazy "end notes" and "select bibliography" which seem the norm anymore.Plus in the bibliography he provides titles of works which don't necessary agree with his own views.This is a gracious gesture on his part: if you have this book in hand, you can go off and explore pretty much any facet, or any viewpoint, of the subject.The book gives the reader plenty of information to carry him/her forward in his/her study of this complex topic.I give it four stars instead of five only because I would have liked more discussion of the implications of the "backgrounds" for the Christianity.But it's a very useful reference source.

Historical Backgrounds of Christianity
In reading and studying God's Word (the Bible), it is important to have an understanding of the time and culture in which it was written.I honestly had a difficult time putting this book down!For example, the author gave details about what it was like to be a servant, how the hierarchy of the Roman empire worked, the implications of crucifixion, etc., all of which give greater meaning to what is read in the Bible.However, while it is important to gain an understanding of history around the time of Christ (or any other biblical era), we must not lose focus of why we study in the first place -- to know Him, to realize what He has done for us, and to love Him that we may walk in greater relationship with Him.

"Backgrounds" Delivers
Today I finished reading Ferguson's well rounded and extensive collection of perspectives into the culture leading up to the writing of the New Testament (620 pages). Early Christianity entered at a time of stability government, a day of active religious expression, an age when travel was opening up around the Eurasian world. Ferguson does a fabulous job of setting the political stage (Greek conquest through the Roman Emperors of the first century), thoroughly displaying the society and culture and the religion, then delving into the philosophical setting of the times, discussing Judaism in Greco-Roman culture, and more briefly covering factors touching Christianity in the ancient world. The reader is left to judge the truth of this young faith that turned the world upside-down.

The reviewer appreciated the helpful pictures of ancient sculpture, architecture, manuscripts, and other artifacts that helped to put the perspectives together in reality. It was also very refreshing to find a work that did not force the reader on the conclusions of the author about Christianity itself. This introductory work was well documented and very valuable to acquaint the researcher and student with the basics of life leading up to the days of Jesus Christ.

The reviewer would recommend this book to students, as well as the reader wanting to get introduced to the world of the New Testament. The reading is dry at times, but it is well written and succeeds in tying into New Testament study. Ferguson gives good context for a fuller understanding of the actions and reactions that the Early church had in the Greco-Roman empire.

Background To New Testament Times
This work, now in its third edition, remains the best and most comprehensive textbook available about the world in which the New Testament was born.Just about every subject you would want to know about is included, such as writing in the ancient world, apocryphal literature and Hellenist and Roman philosophy in addition to political history. It contains charts, photographs and maps.The bibliographies are excellent and not too long.

Another work, which covers some of the material but is a bit more manageable in length is Jeffers' THE GRECO-ROMAN WORLD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA.

good, factual reference work.
This is a fact filled book that will be a good study tool to learn about the new testament background.Covers many aspects of Greco-Roman culture such as politics, social customs, religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, etc.Also covers Jewish beliefs of the new testament era as well.Sometimes ties in subject matter with the new testament content.A gold mine of information.Well researched by a good scholar, this book just reports the facts.Reads almost like an encylopaedia, and as such it is a good reference book.I give it 4 stars instead of 5 simply because it is a bit of a dry read, but I guess that's the nature of a reference work.For similar, but shorter and easier reads, check out The World That Shaped The New Testament by Calvin Roetzel and also, Exploring The New Testament World by Albert A. Bell. ... Read more

Product Description
Get to know the beliefs and practices inspired by Jesus Christ

Discover what it means to be a Christian and follow the gospel

Curious about Christianity? This friendly guide helps you understand the basic teachings of the Christian faith, exploring the common ground that all Christians share, the differences among the major branches, the key events in Christian history, the key theological issues, and the many ways Christians live out their faith in today’s world.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Express the core essentials of Christianity
• Appreciate the life and teachings of Jesus
• Understand why the Bible is central to the faith
• Respect the unique roles of the Trinity
• Explore controversial issues among the branches

Customer Reviews (16)

Way too hip/glib/slangy For You
I was looking for a nice overview to Christianity. I'd picked-up a dummy book on some other religious subdivision and it was rather good. But this book is dreadful.

IF YOU ARE OVER THE AGE OF 23, and/or IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN A SIXTH GRADE EDUCATION you'll probably find this book insulting, and way, way too hip. There is a dreadful, hip-ish cliche in virtually every paragraph, every other sentence.

The actual content seems rather slight, superficial. The author is apparently way too close to the subject to really give much of any kind of critical analysis.

Luckily for me, I'd borrowed this book at the library. The language is so juvenile, so hip, that I cannot bear to read anymore. I'll be back at the library for someone else's more serious take on this subject.

IF you think I'm being overly unfair, why not BORROW it from the library, and see.

Shame on the Dummy people for putting out such a pathetic work as this.

A Well Written Christian Outline
As if it wasn't obvious from the title, Christianity For Dummies is an overview ofa very complex subject.To quote from another volume, The Bible For Dummies, authors Jeffrey Geoghegan& Michael Homan introduce their book with the sentence:

"The Bible has the distinction of being the best known, least understood book in the world."

Since Christianity and the Bible work hand in hand it is no wonder why the subject of the Christian faith is somewhat shrouded in mystery.The practices, the beliefs, the opinions, and the views of the subject seem to change from person to person and from church to church.Christianity For Dummies does a very good job of deciphering these differences, helping the reader to understand the basis of Christianity and explaining the dissimilarities of each sector of the Christian faith.

Over the years I've noticed the reviews for this book have been somewhat unfavorable, as opposed to The Bible For Dummies, which has garnished mostly positive reviews.The most common complaint in these negative reviews is the narrow perspective and biased view in which the book was written.This is to be expected.As I stated earlier, Christianity is something of a changing phenomenon.One persons beliefs on the subject may differ greatly from another's...whereas Roman Catholics will not see entirely eye to eye with a Methodist.However, the differences between what is to be excepted by the Christian way of life isn't always that recognizable, hence the negative reviews for this book.Let me explain:

The Christian faith (if understood properly i.e. the way God intended it to be taken) is a wonderful, continuous journey that extends past life itself.Along this journey different people are put in a multitude of diverse situations, whether it be something tragic orpleasant, drawn-out or quickly over with, these differences, no matter how small or big, make for interesting lessons learned.Within these experiences, we learn to overcome the tragedies, bask in the pleasantries, and live through the in-betweens.As Christians we do all these things with God by our side.Through triumphs & failures we maintain an allegiance to the Lord but learn to handle situations in many different ways.These somewhat small differences can have a profound impact on our beliefs.

What one Catholic might consider wrong, another considers righteous.The views of one Protestant might be greatly different from another.Although they're reading from the same Bible (well...depending on the translation, which is another argument by itself) and trying to live righteously through the Lord, they may come to disagreements, regarding their beliefs, from time to time.This is what I've considered while reading the negative reviews for Christianity For Dummies.Although not attempting to be hurtful, some Christians just genuinely dispute the way they've been depicted in this book, as the path they've taken to come to the Lord has small but important differences.

After reading Christianity For Dummies, I personally think Richard Wagner has done a fantastic job of condensing such a complex and touchy subject into a 378 page book.The flow of dialogue is entertaining and informative, tackling subjects with an educated standpoint but keeping the reader from feeling overwhelmed.The book is (like all For Dummies titles) broken down into small paragraphs and marked with icons throughout indicating:

- Things To Remember: Marking important ideas for you to keep in mind
- Technical Stuff: Marking interesting but not critical subject matter
- Tips: Drawing attention to key points
- Warnings: Saving you from misconceptions, misunderstandings, and mistakes

It's always been my belief that a person genuinely seeking the Lord, no matter what their religion, dogma, beliefs, opinions, choice of church or interpretation of the Bible may be is not only a friend but a fellow Christian.Sure, our way of doing things may seem unusual to each other and we may disagree from time to time but in the end aren't we all united in Christ?

Narrow Perspective of Christianity
Not only does this book only give Rick Warren's fundamentalist perspective of Christianity. It bashes Orthodox and Catholic, sometimes even traditional protestant beliefs without providing any clarifications why they believe that. All you get is the author's belief that they are wrong.

Too Biased
I am not a christian, and bought this book to learn more about the faith. Although this book does provide a basic outline of christian beliefs, the author lets his personal bias slip into his writing much too often. There are numerous passages where he says something to the effect of "many christians believe this, but it doesnt make any sense". So if you want a fair and unbiased book outlining christian beliefs, I would recomend that you look elsewhere.

Should be called "Fundamentalist Christianity for Dummies"
Having been raised a christian, I was suprised by what I read in this book. Several times I asked myself "you mean christians believe that?" The author assumes that fundamentalism is mainstream christianity and occasionally throws in some information about Catholicism, Orthodox religions and non fundamentalist religions almost as an aside.Very one sided and disappointing.There must be something better out there. ... Read more

Product Description
An important and respected voice for liberal American Christianity for the past twenty years, Bishop John Shelby Spong integrates his often controversial stands on the Bible, Jesus, theism, and morality into an intelligible creed that speaks to today's thinking Christian. In this compelling and heartfelt book, he sounds a rousing call for a Christianity based on critical thought rather than blind faith, on love rather than judgment, and that focuses on life more than religion.Amazon.com Review
John Shelby Spong is the Episcopal Bishop of Newark, NewJersey, and has enjoyed a career filled with controversy, much of itthanks to his many bestselling books, such as Born of a Woman, Living in Sin?, and Liberating theGospels. He has tapped into an audience of people who are at oncespiritually starved and curious, yet unwilling or unable to embraceChristianity.

Spong refers to himself as a believer in exile. He believes the worldinto which Christianity was born was limited and provincial,particularly when viewed from the perspective of the progress inknowledge and technology made over the past two millennia. This makesany ideas or beliefs formulated in 1st-century Judea totallyinadequate to our progressive minds and lives today. So Spong is inexile until Christianity is re-formed to discard all of the outdatedand, according to Spong, false tenets of Christianity.

He begins his book by exposing the Apostles Creed line by line, thenmethodically moves on through the heart of Christian belief, carefullyexploring each aspect, demonstrating in each case the inadequacies ofChristianity as detailed in the Bible and in the traditions of theChurch. The epilogue includes Spong's own creed, recast to reflect thebeliefs he considers relevant to Christianity at the end of the 20thcentury.

Oddly enough, Spong's views do not seem particularly new. In fact, hisviews seem very much in keeping with the religious humanist variety ofUnitarianism. What is remarkable is not the beliefs themselves, butthat an Episcopal bishop would be the one to embrace and espousethem. Spong has become a trumpeter in the battle of beliefs, not justin the Episcopal communion, but in the realm of Christian faith ingeneral in this country. His books are bestsellers and are in turn,presumably, read by those who, whether they agree or disagree, allacknowledge that in some way, Spong is involved in setting theagenda. This book, as the admitted "summation of his life'swork" tells every reader what the complete agenda will be, forthe next few years at least. --Patricia Klein ... Read more

Customer Reviews (256)

excellent service
I received this book very quickly and in excellent condition. I definitely recommend buying from this merchant any items that are no longer carried by Amazon.

Yes...and?
For someone like me, who reached all the conclusions Spong does by the time he was in his teens, this book is unnecessary and redundant.His points are obvious to anyone who has a functioning brain and sees no reason to turn it off when entering a church.For those who believe (as far too many do) that being a "believer" by definition means accepting the impossible and embracing irrationality, the book will be useless.So one wonders at whom the book is aimed, just who will find it useful. It would be far more useful and inspiring to read a book that envisions just what a "new" Christianity would look like - which Spong does attempt in a later book.

If I'd read this I might never have become an atheist
Spong offers hope to those who cannot continue to willingly suspend disbelief.I was taught in church that he and his kind were destroying the Christian church.Now I see what they were talking about, Spong is willing to dump theism in order to save Christianity, to make it better.Good for him; I hope he succeeds.If I'd read this before losing my faith I might have been able to continue calling myself a Christian.

Why Christianity Must Change or Die
Bishop Spong reminds me of a person who has thrown the baby out with the bathwater and is now trying to hold onto the tub as proof of his faith.He says he does not want to sway anyone from their faith, but he does just that, if taken seriously.I found it extremely incongruous.Interesting, but incongruous.

Liberal, intelligent, loving Christianity
As someone who was raised as a Catholic but has spent virtually my entire life attempting to reconcile my faith with the reality of the world and my identity as a gay man (not helped by the decidedly un-Christian and barely rational attitudes of various Popes and Bishops of my own church), this book and Spong's other works is a welcome relief. The recent comments by Benedict XVI and some of our Australian bishops have become so unrelenting that I can no longer in good conscience even practise my faith. Instead, I have been attending services at St Michael's Uniting Church in Collins Street, Melbourne [...] where the Executive Minister, Dr Francis McNab, speaks of what he calls "The New Faith", which is remarkably similar to that espoused by John Shelby Spong.
Those critics below who say that Spong is in reality not Christian at all, because he points up the logical inconsistencies and inhumane nature of much that traditional Christianity teaches, need to bear in mind that Spong himself admits that he is not writing for those who remain comfortable in conservative, theistic churches. He is not even writing for those prepared to compromise their own intellect and values to remain within such folds. He is writing for those like himself - and me- who are "believers in exile". For us, the choice is to either reject the whole Christian project as no longer having any relevance or importance to our lives or indeed as having a negative influence on the world, or to instead find a way of retaining our faith as a meaningful part of our lives.
In this, for me, he succeeds admirably ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

From one of Dr. Entwistle's students
I am currently reading this book for my class Integration of Psychology and Christianity taught by none other than Dr. Entwitsle at Malone University. I find the book to be incredibly interesting and I have learned a lot already about the history of the relationship between the Church and psychology. It is definitely a challenging book, however, I do have the benefit of discussing every chapter with the author. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the Integration of Psychology and Christianity.

A true thought provoker!
Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity is a great way to challenge what you really believe as it relates to the relation of psychology and theology in the clinical world and religious world.You will be challenged to develop your belief system, as Entwistle presents an unbiased presentation of what others have to say on the matter.

Solid presentation
As an older grad student returning to advanced study after 25 years, I found this book a solid presentation of the history of integration of psychology and theology. With a BA in Bible and years of experience in the ministry, the type of integration that Entwistle proposes needs to be heavily considered for any Christian counselor who seeks success with his clients. Taking notes on chapter highlights was helpful for exam preparation.

Entwistle Review - Angela Sullivan
For the most part, psychology and theology have been considered to be enemies as both deal with the basic questions about life and the human experience from different approaches.Psychology places human experience (empirically) at the core of understanding and theology places God (our interpretation of His Word) at the center of understanding human experiences.Theology is faith based and includes a strong acceptance of the Bible as the basis of all truth.Psychology is empirically based and leaves little room for faith or acceptance of the supernatural.It is easy to see how the two disciplines can be viewed as enemies.However, Entwistle provides an in depth look at both and paves a way to model the two in such a way that they complement and complete one another.
According to Entrwistle, "Everyone has a worldview - a window through which he or she views the world, assumptions, and beliefs that color what he or she sees." (Entwistle, 2004, p. 67)The book begins by discussing in depth how our worldview affects our way of thinking about everything, including psychology and theology.As the author points out, our worldviews are not so much chosen as much as they are learned from our experiences, education, and culture.Most are not even aware that their views on everything are filtered through these windows, which both distort and clarify our interpretation of what we see.
In addition to the ways that particular worldviews shape our attitude about psychology and theology, we also approach the subject according to the models we have constructed regarding the two disciplines.Entwistle described 5 distinct paradigms of relational approaches to understanding the various models.Enemies, which include both secular combatants and Christian combatants, do not see any reconciliation between psychology and theology.Spies, both domestic and foreign, will hold allegiance to one discipline but selectively taking components from the other.Colonialists are described as those who claim territory they did not win, discover, or work for.Neutral parties tend to mind their own business and keep the two camps separate.Lastly, there are those who are like allies.Allies view both psychology and Christianity as belonging to God and seek to understand how the two are based on the same truth.
Based on Francis Bacon's description of two sources for learning, God's book of Words (the Bible) and God's book of deeds (written in creation through nature), Entwistle concludes the book with a discussion on finding balance in our responsibility to properly utilize the two books. He reminds us that when science disagrees with the Bible, the conflict always resides in our interpretation.Coming full circle, Entwistle returns to the issue of how our worldview, biases, presumptions, and experiences alter and skew the way we interpret data.He ended the book with a sentence worth remembering in our search for truth:"We will sometimes have to live with ambiguity and uncertainty, be we affirm that God is the author of all truth..."(p. 275).

Great book but lacking
David Entwistle lays the foundation for his book in the questions, "What is the proper relationship of faith and science? More specifically, what, if any, relationship should be posited between Christianity and psychology" (2004, p. 10)? In order to understand and have a complete appreciation for the depth of the arguments regarding the relationship between Christianity and psychology, Entwistle begins by examining the history of each as well as the worldviews that have resulted from this history. This leads us to explore the movement called integration and the search for a comprehensive definition. Using anecdotes from his years of building models, Entwistle demonstrates how two disciplines, that many feel must be completely separate, can be effectively integrated.

When we look at the relationship of psychology and theology, we are concerned with models based on models; that is we express our understanding of theology in various models, our understanding of psychology in different models, and we then conceptualize their relationship in yet more models (p. 160).

Entwistle makes a key point in laying the foundation of the integrative approach when he contrasts two divergent Christian beliefs. On one hand, some Christians maintain the created universe was the result of eons of cosmic evolution in order to fit with scientific theory. On the other hand, some Christians maintain a literal view of Biblical creation in that the world was created six days. Both views ". . . emphasize who did it while diverging on how it was done" (Entwistle, 2004, p. 121). According to Entwistle, one's view will determine how he or she will approach integration, or whether it is pursued at all (2004, pp. 121, 122).

A large portion of the book is taken up in the exploration of the various models used to understand the various views of integration. Entwistle compares and contrasts the various models and their authors, offering his own model which seems to creatively combine the best of the models put forth. Five paradigms are expounded upon to show the various camps in which Christians and psychologists "live." The first is the Enemies paradigm which is marked by antagonism and an inability to see value in the other's perspective. Two versions of the Enemies paradigm exist. First, the Secular Combatants in which religion is seen as the enemy of psychology and second, the Christian Combatants in which psychology is seen as the enemy of religion (p. 186). The second paradigm is the Spies who see some value in the other's perspective, but attach no corresponding belief in the underlying, usually religious, value system (pp. 208-213). They steal thoughts and ideas and use them as they may. The third paradigm is the Colonialists who see value in psychological ideas and then selectively take what meets their needs without buying into the underlying value of psychology as a discipline (pp. 214-218). The fourth paradigm is the Neutral Parties who believe in exploring the ideas of both psychology and theology without trying to see how either relates to the other (pp. 218-225). Finally, the fifth paradigm is the Allies As Subjects of One Sovereign. This best illustrates how both psychology and theology makes the most sense and best captures the true spirit of integration. Taken together, psychology and theology can illuminate the human condition better than either could individually (pp. 230-234).

One concern I have with Entwistle's book, however, is the very obvious deletion of the work of the Holy Spirit in the integration process. While much was said about God's two books, nothing was said about the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit can provide guidance, wisdom, understanding, and discernment in the therapy process. Throughout Scripture, but especially in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is seen to provide guidance and understanding to Christians in a variety of areas. Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us, we as believers received the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (Ephesians 2:18). It is the Holy Spirit who guides us. Romans 8: 5 says, "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit" (New International Version) In Ephesians 5:18 Paul says that we are to let the Holy Spirit fill and control us, and that when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our minds there is life and peace (Romans 8:6b). The Holy Spirit gives us hope and power, as well as the understanding of Scripture by guiding us into all truth.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

Political travelogue
Ms Griswold sums up the theme of Tenth Parallel nicely for the reader in the penultimate chapter of her dispatches from the Philippines...

"Islam, and Islamic rebellion, like its Christian counterpart, meant whatever anyone wanted it to, and could be manipulated accordingly.I had seen this in Nigeria, Somalia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sudan: religious identity as a way to guarantee and control resources."

While primarily a statement about religious leadership, or perhaps more appropriately, leadership cloaked in religious demagoguery, she later observes, "Worship often took the form of celebration, and for all I'd seen of religion's divisive power, for most people, their faith was, above all, about finding joy."

I think these are powerful statements which, in combination, may illuminate the foundations of religious conflict more than treatises on the history of this conflict or that.Ms Griswold does an admirable job of providing the anecdotes which support these observations.I'm not sure the "Tenth Parallel" metaphor does much for me, but there is a consistent theme to the stories, which many collections of anecdotes often lack.

Ms Griswold's writing reinforces lessons from my own travels.At the end of the day, despite whatever conflicts, traditions, prejudices, or geographies separate us, we're all basically the same with common desires and aspirations.If we want to, we can create conflict out of common goals, and there are many who excel at that.

Unsettling conclusions & a critique of the West
An incisive account of the state of religious practice and overall impact of religion in Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Griswold does a wonderful job of sensitively portraying daily lives in these places in the context of historical, sociological and geographical forces. Her conclusions are unsettling and strongly critiqued the simplistic notions that the West tends to arrive at in framing solutions for development and conflict resolution.

Religion
I have learned a lot from this book. I have a different idea what is wrong with the world today. Too much hatred and too much not understanding the religion of the other person.

Best for its narrative reporting
Written by an agnostic daughter of a liberal Episcopalian bishop this is an exploration of the gulf separating Christianity and Islam, the only two religions that are both monotheistic and triumphal.Griswold's account is weak in European historical background, the very background of Christian Western Civilization that allows the author her extraordinary privileges.Were she born into an Islamic society could she have gained the education and political and personal freedom to enable her to research and write this book?You'll find no straight-up Christianity in this account, just the Christianity-and-water relativism that pervades western culture today.
Yet she performs valuable work recording the personal narratives of ordinary individuals in Africa and South Asia who suffer from religious extremism and the political and economic forces that have employed extremism throughout history to gain power and wealth. It's unfortunate that Griswold failed to provide an even cursory comparison with the conflicts in Northern Ireland and in Israel and Palestine to show how occupation and ursurpation of land in the name of religion is not unique to Islamic or Christian expansionism. Yet if Three Cups of Tea spoke to you of the desperate need to seek and achieve peace via education and economic development then this book will reinforce that conclusion with its touching personal insights.

Important book
This is essential reading for anyone interested in the conflict between Christianity and Islam taking place along the tenth parallel in africa and Asia.The authors personal stories are fascinating and her history of the region helps to explain the complex relationship between religion and colonialism. ... Read more

Amazon.com
"This story is enormously unlikely." --Elaine Pagels, Professorof Religion, Princeton University

Pagels is right on the mark: what began two millennia ago as a Jewish sect has grown into the most widespread religion in history, despite unbridled oppression in its early years and countless denominational splits ever since. The last few years have seen a resurgence of interest in church history, and A&E's documentary Christianity: The First Thousand Years is a splendid example of solid scholarly research meshed with entertaining production values that speaks to this interest. The result is a resource with equal appeal for the historian and the theologian alike.

The issues that confronted the early church seem now quite strange since there are 2,000 years of tradition behind them today:

• Should gentile converts to the Jesus movement have to adhere to the laws of kashrut?
• What authority did Paul have as an apostle though he never personally knew Jesus?
• What is Jesus' relationship to God?
• How can a tripartite Christian theology be resolved with Judaism's strong tradition of monotheism?
• Which texts should form the Christian scripture?
• What relationship do the apostolic bishops at Jerusalem, Damascus, Rome, Constantinople, and elsewhere have to each other--and how should the church be structured?
• What should be the central statement of faith of Christians?

The four-part set features Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, whose unusual but pleasant voices will be well known to viewers of A&E's TV series Mysteries of the Bible. Like the TV series, Christianity: The First Thousand Years is marked by thorough scholarship, including interviews with many highly regarded scholars such as Pagels. Snippets of these interviews are interspersed with photography from the Holy Land and some reenactments, leading to an informative and revealing exploration of the early church. --Erik J. Macki ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Don't buy it.
HI.

Like my title says, don't buy it.

The writer, narrator, and material is terrible.

And quickshipvideo does not give a refund once you open the dvd (at least amazon.com gives a partial refund on an openned dvd) (I had to watch it, to realize how bad it was).

And their panel of experts are just as looney & shallow.

DEFINATE waste of time, does nothing to glorify God, or give a concise historical account of Christianity.

Tha narrator poorly reads the writer's absurd message, that Simon (whom Jesus called Rock / Cephas (Greek);Petros (Latin, for Peter) the first pope, but says James was really picked, and James was the first church leader.

Don't waste your time and money.

This is a great documentary
It goes into great detail about the history of Christianity, from the time of Jesus's death to Peter and Paul spreading the new religion, to the rise of Islam in the East and it's threat to Christianity. Also included are the arguments about God between Christians and Jews. The Dark Ages, Middle Ages, and the spread of Christianity to the present day in America is given a focus. Anyone who studies religion will want to add this to their religion collections of books and DVDs.

DVD "Christianity- The first two thousand years"
Christianity-The First Two Thousand Years

Product arrived promptly and in good shape - as advertised.

Viewer Beware
First of all, 'documentaries' by A&E usually do not carry any guarantee of accuracy.But the real red flags should go up when Elaine Pagels or anyone from the "Jesus Seminar' offers their opinions.The private agendas of both are never stated but are highly suspect.

Christianity First Thousand Years Review
I have the VHS 4 tape set of Christianity - First Thousand Years and it is a very good source for studying the History of Christianity.It is a wonderful 4 tape set worth the viewing!I would advise all Christians to watch it and be more informed of what happened in the past and how Christianity is still flourishing all around the world.If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I advise you to get to know Him.His is more than a good prophet and teacher.He is the Savior of the world for all who will put their faith and trust in Him. ... Read more

Product Description
Unavailable for several years, Lost Christianity is a profound reexamination of the essence of Christian thought and faith. Philosopher and bestselling author Jacob Needleman has sought out the ancient texts and modern practitioners of essential Christianity, whose message speaks directly to contemporary seekers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

For anyone searching for TRUTH
Dr. Needleman presents ideas and truths for anyone who has given up on current, organized religion. His presentation is a compassionate view of the struggle of many to find the meaning for life that seems and is hidden in the story of Christ.Needleman presents from his experience and people he has known understandings for many "lost" truths which the searching person has had questions about.
Language and cultures change over time, so that the original truth becomes overlaid with rituals and practices without meaning. The churches are like all human organizations developed by human processes giving in to the politics of power and greed of leaders, those at the top and misguided persons who think they are doing God's work by gathering converts without having one thought of the necessity for change in themselves.
This is a very useful book for any person who wishes to become real and more than a victim of modern life.

Review
Consistently amazed at the quality, as described, and the prices. Amazed twice with each order! Thank You!

An important work
I first read Jacob Needleman's Lost Christianity 24 years ago when I was an undergrad. Then I was captivated by the mersteriousness of Father Sylvan and the secret manuscript. I gave the book away in 1988 and as the years went by I forget the title, although I remembered that it had to do with esoteric Christianity. Recently I saw the name jacob Needleman in a search for a work on Gurdjieff and I found the lost book on Lost Christianity. I am now reading it again after 24 years and seeing the deep understanding in the book. Professor Needleman has written a very important work. It drives to the heart of prayer, self understanding, and why we need to get away from ego. Get this book and read it every 25 years.

Christianity as Yoga
This book, together with Elaine Pagels' The Gnostic Gospels and several of Jung's writings on the transformation of consciousness, helped me to begin the work of personal integration which is at the heart of the Gospel, a work which continues to this day.

where did inclusive christianity go?
Lost is what you often feel churchianity is, and if you've been there.. and you opened you eyes.. you felt it.. but you also felt something deeper, and truer.. pulling you.... prodding you.. saying, "don't give up".. like a tomb that Jesus never resurrected from, at least here.. deep beneath the surface.. it took the Needle in the haystack to find it.. Jacob talks of a more inclusive faith.. one that reaches out, instead of slaps... and ihe does it by telling a simple story interspersed with fact and commentary.. and inspires me to find the courage to find what it might mean to actually be a christian ... Read more

Product Description
The theme of 'Christianity and Classical Culture' is the fundamental change in thought and action that occurred from the reign of Augustus to the time of Augustine. The classical world sought to practice politics and understand the world in purely rational terms, but the difficulties of this program were already evident as Christianity began developing a completely new understanding of the human world. It is from this revolution in ideas that our modern world was forged. W H Auden wrote of an earlier edition in The New Republic: Since the appearance of the first edition in 1940, I have read this book many times, and my conviction of its importance to the understanding not only of the epoch with which it is concerned, but also of our own, has increased with each rereading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Christianity and Classical Culture
One of C.S. Lewis's maxims I agree with (but too often fail to heed) is this:for every just-published book you read be sure and read at least two old books, classics which have stood steady amidst the winds of change.I've recently feasted on some durable classics which truly deserve their acclaim.
To understand Christianity, we need to know ancient history as well as biblical texts, to appreciate foundational thinkers as well as more recent interpreters.Charles Norris Cochrane's Christianity and Classical Culture:A Study of Thought and Action from Augustus to Augustine (New York:Oxford University Press, 1957, 1st pub. 1940) provides a classic text which I first read years ago and recently re-read to my profit.
In Part I, "Reconstruction," Cochrane describes the development of the Roman Empire, replacing the Roman Republic, the fulfillment of Augustus' designs.Impressive on many counts (e.g. establishing a judicial system based upon the natural law), Rome's world conquest simultaneously imposed "a virtual servitude for all but the few in whose hands lay the means of exploitation, the control of economic and political power" (p. 18).Along with its political structures, one learns, under Cochrane's tutelage, to appreciate the intellectual struggles between the philosophical advocates of materialism and idealism, neither of which fully satisfied the soul of antiquity, opening doors of opportunity for the message of the Early Church.In some significant ways--for the ultimate failure of Rome, as Tacitus and others argued, was due to spiritual bankruptcy--the Church gradually replaced the Empire as the only cohesive, preeminent social institution bequeathed by antiquity to the Medieval Era. The empire collapsed amidst a litany of liabilities:increasingly oppressive taxation which drove the rich to flight and the common folks to despair; the bankruptcy of municipalities as well as individuals; the professionalization and accompanying decay of the military; increasing crime and violence.(Though I routinely warn students not to simplistically equate "symptoms" of decay in ancient Rome with trends in today's society, it was frankly difficult, while reading Cochrane, to refrain from drawing uncomfortably close parallels myself!)
In Part II, "Renovation," we explore the "new republic" which Constantine established."The year 313 [when Constantine issued the 'Edict of Milan' and granted religious toleration to Christians] has rightly been taken to mark a turning-point in European history" (p. 177).Fifty years after Constantine's edict of toleration, another emperor, Theodosius, imposed Christianity as the "official" religion of the empire, and what we label "Western Christian Culture" gained political power and prominence.
Concerning Constantine, Cochrane neither celebrates nor denigrates his efforts.In a rather fair appraisal, he presents the emperor's work as a blend of sincere religious conviction and shrew political strategy.Cochrane critiques the compromises the Church made to gain respectability, yet he refrains from the kinds of pompous (usually Evangelical Protestant) critiques one often finds leveled against the emperor.Unlike some Catholics, however, Cochrane refuses to enshroud Constantine in a halo of sanctity!He was primarily a political leader whose self-interest granted significant political gains to the 4th century Church. Much transpired as a consequence of the overtly-Christian policies of Theodosius.For example, Sunday, the "Lord's Day," became an enforced, legal holiday.Pagan cults were suppressed.Pagan temples were seized, their statues destroyed.Heretics became enemies of the state, all too frequently persecuted for their views.Bishops, priests, monks, became figures of authority and consequence.Such were the socio-political consequences of a "christianized" empire. Yet, for all its failings, the politically-installed "new republic" was but a passing preface to the enduring legacy of the Christianity.
That is explored in Part III, "Regeneration."This is the capstone of the work, the part that enables thoughtful Christians to better grasp the significance of the Early Church and its theologians.Brilliant, saintly thinkers such as Athanasius, Ambrose, and Augustine dared to declare that "all truth is God's truth" and struggled to shape "a synthesis of human experience for which there had been no parallel since the time of Plato" (p. 360).They (Augustine especially) set forth a radically new notion of history:a cosmic drama detailing Adam's fall and Christ's redemption, a victorious message of salvation and hope.The Kingdom of God (in the ultimate and invisible sense) and the Church (in the immediate and visible sense), reveal the eternally significant workings of God.
Unlike the pervasive pessimism of most ancient historians, who shared Herodotus' cynicism--"'Of all the sorrows which afflict mankind, the bitterest is this, that one should have consciousness of much, but control over nothing'" (p. 468)--Christians saw meaning in the past and reason to hope in the future.We humans have a role, not a dictated fate, because God grants us freedom to cooperate with Him in His work.Thus, as Augustine insisted, we must never confuse grace with fate!We are indeed saved only by grace--it's all God's work--but it's not autocratically imposed upon us.These theologians also found in the doctrine of the Trinity the ultimate answer to profoundly spiritual questions."The revelation of Christ was the revelation of the Divine Nature as a Trinity.Accordingly, in the Trinity, Christian wisdom discovers that for which Classicism had so long vainly sought, viz. the logos or explanation of being and motion, in other words, a metaphysics of ordered process.In so doing, it does justice to the element of truth contained alike in the claims of classical materialism and classical idealism; while, at the same time, it avoids the errors and absurdities of both" (pp. 436-37).
In his work, The Trinity, St Augustine "discovered a principle capable of saving the reason as well as the will, and thus redeeming human personality as a whole.It saved the reason because, while denying its pretensions to omniscience and infallibility, it nevertheless affirmed the existence of an order of truth and value which being in the world as well as beyond it, was within the power of man to apprehend.And, in saving the reason, at the same time it saved the will, by imparting to it that element of rationality without which it must degenerate into mere subjective wilfulness" (p. 384).
Thus faith and reason cooperate.Neither blind faith nor autonomous reason suffices.Faith enables us to understand and understanding clarifies faith.The Christianity which emerged out of classical culture remedied the flaws of antiquity, and, as magisterially articulated by Augustine, shaped the emergent ethos which would give structure to Western/European Civilization.
This is a rich book, full of illuminating quotations and penetrating explanations.It's the rare kind of book which so profoundly explores the roots of our culture as to deserve the label of an "historical classic."Few books better clarify the thoroughly theological issues which give foundations to our faith.

A real classic
This work has long been known to scholars in the field and is one of the best interpretive works on the relationship between classical culture and Christianity. If many of the judgments may seem a little assured to a new reader, (the first edition came out in 1940) Cochrane handles the extremely complex material with poise and skill, and the work is extremely well-written.
For a more recent take on this subject see Jaroslav Pelikan, Christianity and classical culture: the metamorphosis of natural theology in the Christian encounter with Hellenism. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993).

Cult of State and Cult of Christ become One
If you want to know how, and why, romanitas became christianitas, this is the book for you.But make no mistake, this isn't any gloss of the process, this is an in-depth as a how-to discussion of surgery.

I've been through this book twice, and I'm always amazed by Cochrane's ability.It helps me (always) to have a primer on Roman history out as I go through it - to check on some of his references and "name-dropping."A Latin dictionary doesn't hurt, either (my Latin's a little rusty since college).

If you want an extensive examination of the christianization of the Roman empire, get this book!

A pillar of philosophical, religious, and cultural analysis
Originally published in 1940, Christianity And Classical Culture: A Study Of Thought And Action From Augustus To Augustine by Charles Norris Chochrane (1889-1945) is a thoughtful, insightful, informative examination of the contrast and sometimes clash between the classical era's culture and struggle to understand the world in purely rational terms, and the completely new understanding of the world developed and spread by Christianity. From divisions of church and state; to the impact that Constantine and the spread of Christianity had; to a technical dissection of propositions concerning sometimes starkly different worldviews, Christianity and Classic Culture has survived the test of time to remain a pillar of philosophical, religious, and cultural analysis.

The Fall of Rome and the Rise of Christendom
This is a comprehensive narrative of the decline of the classical pagan world and the rise of the Christian middle ages.It is aptly subtitled, "A Study of Thought and Action from Augustus to Augustine," forthose two men stand out as the bookends of the transition.The storybegins with Eternal Rome at the end of the Republic, and generally with theclaims of pagan Rome to finality and mastery -- perfected science in theclassical sense -- over the political order of the world.It ends with thedestruction of the Empire and the seminal thinker of the next thousandyears, Aurelius Augustine.On the way, Cochrane weaves together militaryhistory, theology, poetry, philosophy, law and politics in a prose that iscertainly not to be confused with Gibbon, but is nonetheless quitereadable.Cochrane's avowed mission is to let the classical authors, paganand Christian alike, speak for themselves and for their positions, and thishe does with remarkable fairness. A principal question of the book is, whowon the war of philosophers and theologians?Did Athens conquer Jerusalem,imposing classical pagan or Platonic ideas on a Christianity now lost, ordid Jerusalem conquer Athens, replacing the classical ways of thought in aradical way?The answer, as one might expect, is complicated, butintelligible.The book is 500 pages long, but will repay multiplereadings. ... Read more

Product Description
Christianity began with a handful of disciples following an itinerant preacher as he proclaimed the kingdom of God throughout the region of Palestine. Today, Christianity is the world's predominant faith---a faith that has swept continents, crossed oceans, transformed cultures, and shaped the course of world events.What is the history of Christianity? How did it spread from its grassroots beginnings to become a worldwide faith? Who are its luminaries---its leaders, theologians, thinkers, preachers, artists, and influencers---from its inception to today? What forms and expressions has it taken through the centuries? How has it influenced and been influenced by different times and cultures?Full of lavish full-color photographs and illustrations, the Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity offers you a sweeping history of the Christian faith from the time of Jesus and the apostles till now. The early and later church fathers; Africa, the Middle East, and the Missions East; the Byzantine Empire; the High Middle Ages; the Reformation; Reason and Revival; Modern America and Oceania ... seventeen sections cover all these and many more aspects of Christian history in vivid and engaging detail.Features include:* Comprehensive, highly readable coverage of the history of Christianity by expert contributor* 42 feature articles on relevant and fascinating topics such as Origen, the Inquisition, Darwinism, African church music, the great Russian novelists, and witch hunts* 200 full-color photos and illustrations* Maps, charts, and timelines ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Awkward
Designed as a tool for Christians in regards to learning about Church History, but spun with a "questionable" intent on the inerrancy of Scripture, for a book published by Zondervan. Just a heads up, this book is more "theory" than "fact," and delves in to more philosphy than history, but still faithfully reports details...

Great book!
This is a great book on the history of the church, I ended up using it for a class and then bought another copy for my Pastor, who LOVES it!

Zondervan History of Christianity
This is a good overview of Chistian history that anyone can benefit from.Whether you are just being introduced to the subject or are an advanced scholar, this book has useful information.It is richly illustrated and written with the amateur in mind.It should find its way into most church libraries so interested people can look into this book.It may help with Bible studies or provide insight into the early church.It covers the entire spectrum of Christian history from the crucifixion to today and does it with tact and skill.

A Grand Illuminating Journey.
What do we know of our history - what does anyone know of any history?
So few make time to study those people and events that went before us, yet they have great import even to us now.

This book details much of history as it concerns Christianity from the death of Christ to present day.You will finally be able to connect all the dots of a history you never quite understood: creation of Biblical Canon, early Monasticism, rise and fall of Christian Emperors, rise fall and effects of the Papacy, the Crusades, the Reformation and so many key figures that have been either mislabeled or overlooked.

We must know our history, our heritage and what contributed to what we have and know today.This book is both concise yet packed with important details.It flows very well and incorporates many beautiful pictures.

My limiting stars has only to do with the first chapter which seems (to me) to suggest that Christianity, though discussed as history, is not proved as Truth but could be relegated to a belief system among others.

Good book, but poorly organized index.
This book seems fairly good for information and for history.It has great related charts and pictures.However this back of the book index is for the birds.The index is divided into two sections("People" and "Places"). And if you want to look up anything else other than "People" and "Places" such as subjects, theories, or titles(e.g. "Hellenization"), you are out of luck.It really makes doing research so much more challenging that what is probably a very good reference book will not be utilized to its fullest or at all. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (16)

Christianity the Way it was Intended from the Beginning
Years ago I had a copy of a book that documented the move of the Holy Spirit since the first century to the present. It was loaned out and never returned and because it was privately published I could never find another.For years I have prayed for someone to write the truth how the gifts of the Spirit never really stopped down through the centuries.This is the book that I prayed to be written.Eddie L. Hyatt researched and documented how the gifts of the Spirit continued for the past two millenium and the revivals that broke out in spite of the persecutions the Spirit filled Christians endured.Every Christian needs to read this book to understand that the dry stale so called Christian church of the modern and postmodern era is not the real church that Jesus died for. The miracle working power of the Holy Spirit is still touching the Church.I am buying another so I can have a loaner.

wowza
This is actaully a text book for a theology class I am enrolled in. My husband read it for shoot and giggles before I had a chance to crack it open and he was blown away. According to him, it is jam packed with very pertinent info on our history and destiny with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of the WORLD. I look forward to delving deep into it's pages and gaining some understanding as to why we are where we are and what it is a result of, historically.

Stretching the point
This is an informative but misguided book. Hyatt tries to show that Charismatic Christianity is nothing new, but in fact has been around for 2000 years. To do this, he provides some fairly radical re-interpretations of accepted ideas. Augustine was charismatic. John Wesley was charismatic. Even Luther was charismatic: "the Spirit and the gifts are ours..."

Hyatt comes out in favour of some of the schismatic and heretical sects in Christian history, like the Montanists in the early centuries, and the Cathars in the high middle ages. He is rather selective in his evidence: one amusing example of this selectivity concerns Cyprian, bishop of Carthage. Hyatt tells us that Cyprian explained the action that he took during persecution by appealing to visions he had received. Hyatt does not say, however, what this action was. It was, in fact, getting out of town when the persecution came - something for which Cyprian was and continues to be roundly criticised.

Methinks he doth protest too much.

You can't change history just because you don't like it
Historically and spiritually, it is a fact that Jesus Christ founded the Church, the one Church, that later became known as "katholikos," or "Catholic," the Greek word for "universal." This meant, of course, that people from many nations had accepted Jesus Christ as the Savior, the Son of God Who came to redeem them from their sins, both Jews and pagans.

That Church continues on today, and whether Eddie Hyatt wishes to believe it or not, it continues on it the way He meant it to proceed, with the giftings of the Holy Spirit, including the manifestation of people speaking in tongues along with it.

That's really my major problem with this book. Eddie Hyatt doesn't choose to believe, so history goes right out the window. He went so far as to state that bishops weren't a part of the early Church, when it ought to be perfectly clear to anyone who professes the doctrine of sola scriptura that bishops were very much a part of the Church from the very beginning -- from the first Council of Jerusalem, to be exact, with Peter at the helm.

St. Paul continues in, explaining to Timothy (a bishop) what a bishop ought to be, what kind of character he should have and what kind of family he should be leading (in those early days, since there were so many converts to the Christian faith, most of those men ordained as priests and bishops were already married men with children.)

But Hyatt is so determined to prove that the Catholic Church, serving as the villain of the piece, just in case you hadn't noticed, that he completely ignores the clear teaching of Scripture. Why would he do that?

In another place, he talks about how churches were built (as if that was a bad thing, to have places big enough for the multitudes of Christians to meet together, worship God, and receive the Eucharist?) so that the people could be separated from the Holy Spirit, not one with what was going on during the Mass.

Anyone who could make such a statement has obviously not done his research.

He also states that the bishops had "thrones" placed at the front of the churches so that the bishops, the supposed arbiters of the Holy Spirit, could apparently lord it over their congregations, completely and neatly ignoring the fact that the bishop wasn't up there on the "throne" like a Protestant preacher. The bishop (or priest) was praying the Mass, accompanied by the people for whom the great Offering -- Jesus -- of sacrifice and thanksgiving was being presented before the Father in Heaven.

I don't know what the reason is for such determined misrepresentation is. In my opinion, it indicates that Eddie Hyatt is threatened by the truth of the Church, because if he read the Early Church Fathers and studied the Didache and read his Bible and about the councils of the Church, he might find himself so immersed in the historical and spiritual claims that he'd have to.....I don't know. Convert? That seems like a reasonable position to me.

But instead of approaching his subject with the objectivity and intellectual honesty of a scholar who wants to discern every bit of truth the Holy Spirit has to offer, Hyatt makes do with shoddy scholarship, a completely closed mind filled with preconceived prejudice against the Catholic Church, a tendency to quote Early Church Fathers out of context and a decision to either change or ignore factual history when it doesn't suit his agenda.

The fact that remains is that the Roman Catholic Church, to Eddie Hyatt's sorrow, is still the one established by Jesus. It's still where He told the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit, Who would guide them into ALL truth, not just the truths that suited them. It is His Church, and as He is "the same, yesterday, today and forever," that hasn't changed and never will.

Is it a perfect Church? Of course not. But He knew that, remember? He had the experience of knowing at the Last Supper that some leaders/members would be faithful until the end, some would deny Him for a time and then return; He knew that the majority would often stumble and fall, and that some would betray Him altogether.

It this way of looking at things -- His way -- there's no excuse for writing such a book. Or actually for remaining Protestant, for that matter. Eddie Hyatt is of course always welcome to come and learn about the gifts and graces God has for him, a beloved son, in the Church that is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.

Acts and Beyond
I've often wondered how the Church developed after Acts in the Holy Bible.After reading this book, I don't have to wonder any more.I read this book first as a text book.Now, I read it for inspiration! ... Read more

Product Description
In this book, Adam Hamilton presents a welcoming, inspiring vision of eight Christian denominations and faith traditions. Comparing the Christian family to our own extended families, he contends that each denomination has a unique, valuable perspective to offer on the Christian faith.

The traditions he examines are Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Pentecostalism, and Methodism. For each group, Hamilton gives a brief history, outlines major beliefs, and describes some things we can learn from that tradition to strengthen our own Christian faith. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Perfect service!
The book arrived exactly on time and in new condition.Couldn't ask for anything more!

Finding your place in "The Family Reunion"
In my spiritual pilgrimage, I've journeyed with believers in many different denominations.I've enjoyed my Orthodox and Catholic friends' emphasis on history, God's transcendence, mystery, and the role of saints and martyrs.I've enjoyed my Lutheran friends' emphasis on grace, Scripture-only, and priesthood-of-all-believers.I've enjoyed my Presbyterian friends' emphasis on God before human experience, sin, systematic theology, and reason.I've enjoyed my Episcopalian friends' emphasis on prayer, tradition, and (in some cases) fellowship-before-doctrine.I've enjoyed my Baptist friends' emphasis on evangelism and assurance of salvation, the Bible, and personal holiness.I've enjoyed my Pentecostal/charismatic friends' emphasis on the Holy Spirit, miracles and spiritual gifts, and the Second Coming.I grew up United Methodist which at times felt like a "grab-bag" or "crazy-quilt," even "lowest-common-denominator."I really appreciated the author's description of the United Methodist Church as "people of the extreme center."That takes effort and is not a "default" position.
With more and more tension between liberal vs. conservative, evangelism vs. social outreach, individual vs. corporate faith/identity/purpose, etc., I came away with a renewed respect for the believers who've chosen to stay with the mainline churches, most of which have been experiencing decline.This book could also be a "user-friendly" resource for individuals who are seeking a (new) church family, as well as for the many who (like me) have felt disconnected or disillusioned, but aren't quite ready to throw out the baby with the dirty bath water.

Christianity's Family Tree
This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to better understand Christian beliefs and why they vary.I am impressed that the book is written in a positive manner.The author, Adam Hamilton, stresses the effective beliefs and customs of eight Christian denominations that will strenghten us and allow us to know and grow closer to God.

Celebrating the Family Tree
I just led a church study group based on this book and its related video series.Adam Hamilton presents the major denominational families respectfully and with insight.He gets at the theological core of each tradition and relates it to his own United Methodism (also the tradition of our group).Each description is enriched by an interview with a representative of that tradition.

This is a great study for those who would like to get beyond "all churches are basically the same," as well as the common, often negative stereotypes people hold.While it is especially useful in a United Methodist context, I believe it would work well in other churches of the Wesleyan tradition and beyond.

Those who enjoy this book would also appreciate Hamilton's study of Christianity and World Religions, which follows a similar format.

Christianity's Family Tree
Written in an accessible sytle, Hamilton provides a general history and overview of eight mainline Christian denominations: Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican/Episcopalian, Baptist,Pentecostal and United Methodist. With each he provides a short (3-4 page) discussion into the beliefs and practices of that denomination and a model diagram of how that denomination might see itself in Christianity's history. Each chapter has footnotes and there is a bibiography at the end for more indepth reading into each denomination. He does not consider one denomination superior to another--rather that each is "nourished by the same sap, connected to the same trunk, anchored by the same roots."Recommended as a beginning overview of the plethora of Christian denominations. ... Read more

Product Description
Christianity or Islam: which is the real "religion of peace"?

Almost any liberal pundit will tell you that there's a religion bent on destroying our Constitution, stripping us of our liberties, and imposing religious rule on the U.S. And that religion is . . .Christianity! About Islam, however, the Left is silent--except to claim a moral equivalence between the two: if Islam has terrorists today, that's nothing compared to the Crusades, inquisitions, and religious wars in Christianity's past.

But is this true? Are conservative Christians really more of a threat to free societies than Islamic jihadists? Is the Bible really "just as violent" as the Qur'an? Is Christianity's history really as bloodstained as Islam's? In Religion of Peace? Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn't, New York Times bestselling author Robert Spencer not only refutes such charges, but also explains why Americans and Europeans must regain an appreciation of our Christian heritage if we ever hope to defeat Islamic supremacism. In this eye opening work, Spencer reveals:

* The fundamental differences between Islamic and Christian teachings about warfare against other religions: "Love your enemies" vs. "Be ruthless to the unbelievers"

* The myth of Western immorality and Islamic puritanism and why the Islamic world is less moral than the West

* Why the Islamic world has never developed the distinction between religious and secular law that is inherent in Christianity

* Why Christianity has always embraced reason--and Islam has always rejected it

* Why the most determined enemies of Western civilization may not be the jihadists at all, but the leftists who fear their churchgoing neighbors more than Islamic terrorists

* Why Jews, Christians, and peoples of other faiths (or no faith) are equally at risk from militant Islam

Spencer writes not to proselytize, but to state a fact: Christianity is a true "religion of peace," and on it Western civilization stands. If we are not to perish under Islam's religion of the sword--with its more than 100 million active jihadists seeking to impose sharia law--we had better defend our own civilization.

Customer Reviews (73)

Religion of Peace
Fine book - but I got two ccpies.Trust I will not be charged for two.

Great Read
Mr. Spencer has done a fabulous job at revealing facts about Islam but also of ourselves and our own ignorance. We need more Mr. Spencers.

Islam is a violent religion which seeks to subjugate unbelievers. Duh.
This isn't as illuminating a work as "The Truth About Muhammad", and it's a shame that the low level of discourse and education in our society forced Spencer to write such an elementary book as this. Certainly, clear-thinking and informed men have no need of such self-evident information. However, in the wake of 9/11, moronic celebrities such as Rosie O'Donnell and other self-hating dimwits of her ilk have taken to comparing Christianity unfavorably with Islam, and their unthinking talking points have started to filter down through society and be parroted by simpletons at large. Unwilling to find anything worthy about their own civilization and culture, they respond to any criticism of Islam with the idiotic retort, "Well, what about the Crusades/Inquisition/abortion clinic bombers? Christianity is a religion of violence, while Islam believes in tolerance!". Spencer easily demolishes such feeble opponents and such fatuous arguments.

While it must be admitted that professing Christians have inflicted numerous atrocities upon mankind, the fact is that they can find no justification for their actions in Christian Scripture or theology, and they act contrary to Christianity when they perpetrate such crimes. The same cannot be said for the Koran, dripping with the murderous dictates and violent example of its Allah and his Prophet.

As always, Spencer does journeyman work in exposing the violence and oppression at the heart of Islam. However, people should be aware of a few things about Spencer. In the first place, he habitually conflates Israel's cause with that of the West. Whether it's from conviction or because it's been the Jewish neoconservatives who have made his career, he inserts various comments through this book, and his others, which assume the righteousness of Israel's cause and our duty to defend her. I find that objectionable. Just because Islam has violent tenets doesn't mean that Islamic people can't have legitimate grievances, such as in Palestine; nor does it mean that we are obligated to expend our blood and treasure for every country which happens to be fighting an Islamic enemy. He is a paid propagandist, and one only has to look at the magazines he writes for, the companies that publish his books, and the networks he appears on to see which group holds the purse strings. The degree to which he is beholden to certain powerful groups can be seen in the fact that Spencer even denies the very basic, orthodox Christian doctrine of supersessionism, the belief that the New Covenant has fulfilled and replaced the Old. And Spencer calls himself a Catholic for some reason.

In addition, Spencer condemns those nationalist parties in Europe which seek to resist the Islamicization of their continent, if they also oppose policies such as slavish support for Israel, open Third World immigration and the dispossession of Europe's native people, policies which are dear to the neoconservative media lords whose patronage gave Spencer a livelihood. So, while Spencer is a valuable fighter against militant Islam, he is at the same time an active opponent of those who would fight other equally dangerous threats to the West's existence and sovereignty. His entire professional raison d'etre is to promote Western support for Israeli regional hegemony and geopolitical dominance, not Western nationalism and self-interest. So, use Spencer's information for what it's worth, but reject this man as an ally, for he's nothing but a Trojan Horse in the nationalist camp.

Five star common sense
Please ignore any one star ratings, they are false ratings from Muslims that are stuck in their man made religion and to afraid to face the truth that others put in print, not only that, lying is part of a Muslims duty when it comes to communicating with non-muslims. Robert Spencers' Religion of Peace is as great as his other books. Robert Spencer does his homework on Islamic dribble, which is a real blessing when you consider the Koran is one of the worst religious books written. It is to bad books like Religion of Peace have to be written, but the truth is most people just don't get the common sense if a religion talks evil, acts evil, and looks evil, it probably is Evil and has nothing to do with the Creator of the Universe. Don't get me wrong, I know there are moderate-muslims, I just don't consider them active enough to be relevant to the Islamic problem facing the world, which seems to be controlling the direction of most EU countries.

I wonder what's the author's intenion
It seems that Robert Spencer is counting on the Christains to support his claim that are based on information from sources like Fox News when he gave the book the title he did.I am sure that the author is aware of the torture chambers used by Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, not to mention their killing of 300,00 Muslims civilians during "The Inquisition" (ReConquista) and deporting equal number or more number of the Muslims from Analusia (Muslim Spain). ... Read more

Product Description
There are a growing number of people whoare aware of Christianity but know little about it ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent book for new Christians
This is an very good book, especially for new Christians who want to know the basics of Christianity. There was some information in this book that even some mature Christians probably don't know.

Fundamental Book for Baptists
Core Christianity is a basic introduction to Protestant Christianity. The author comes from a Southern Baptist background which excludes other denominations. Elmer Towns' interpretation of random Scriptures can be questionable. I wouldn't recommend this to a new Christian for fear that they might become confused by some of his misinterpretated comments of Scripture. Also, I couldn't really recommend this to an older Christian because it just goes over the fundamentals of the Southern Baptist doctrine, but with his own flare on certain Scriptures.

A solid, highly accessible guide to fundamentalist evangelical Christian belief, as penned by a true believer.
Written by Elmer Towns, who co-founded Liberty University with Jerry Falwell, Core Christianity: What is Christianity All About? rejects the postmodern way of thinking that eschews the miraculous and the supernatural aspects of Christian faith. Core Christianity accepts the Bible at face value, beginning with the central tenet that Christianity is central to the person of Jesus Christ. Chapters unambiguously stress that Christianity is an exclusive salvation, a disciplined lifestyle, a movement that transforms culture, a global directive to follow God's plan to evangelize the world, and the ultimate hope. "It is impossible to convince the mind through reason alone that the Bible is God's book. Salvation involves all aspects of a person's personality. You must know (with your mind) the facts of your lost condition and that Jesus died for you. Second, you must feel (with your emotions) sorrow for sinning against God, as well as love for Him because of what Christ has done for you. Third, you must choose (with your will) to put your trust in Christ to save you from sin." A solid, highly accessible guide to fundamentalist evangelical Christian belief, as penned by a true believer. ... Read more