Sturdy church history, vivified by a fresh, though not always seamless approach.
Christian history within the context of continents as well as content.
Eminent religion historian Marty (Emeritus/Univ. of Chicago; Martin Luther, 2004, etc.) copes with the limitations of a slim volume by focusing on Christianity’s global character and its continued emphasis, however fractured, on Jesus Christ. He begins by tracing “The Jewish Beginnings,” then follows Christians into Asia and Africa, as Roman persecution drove them east from Jerusalem. Constantine’s conversion ushered in “The First European Episode”; the second came as the faith was stymied in Asia and Africa during the Middle Ages. Marty goes on to explore the spread of Christianity to Latin America and North America, closing with the faith’s resurgence in Africa and Asia. His honest attempt to view Christianity from a truly global perspective and as a global religion is to be commended, especially since most church histories basically present the European perspective with only slight nods to other regions. Instead, Marty looks for evidence of the church “going global” across its history. Though he pointedly notes the many heroes the religion has spawned, he does not shy away from the controversial, often brutal role Christians have played in the faith’s spread. Emphasizing the unique place held by Jesus among believers, he stresses that no matter how poorly some Christians have emulated Christ, the religion’s defining mark is the belief that “the human Jesus is the exalted Lord.” Marty’s account has a slightly Protestant bent, but he employs an effective combination of erudition and accessibility. A helpful glossary is included.
Sturdy church history, vivified by a fresh, though not always seamless approach.Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-679-64349-4
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Modern Library
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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