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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I love history. For most of my life, I have enjoyed educating myself and others on history and even worked this past summer as a historical interpreter. I cannot tell you how many times I have had students or visitors complain to me, "I would like history a lot more if it were easier to understand!"
There are problems with this complaint, but a lot of times it is true. History books have historically been stuffy and hard to grasp. This is problematic because it is vitally important that we comprehend and analyze history in order to not make the same mistakes again. How can we blame the younger generations for knowing nothing about history, and therefore not caring, if the resources we provide them with are stuffy, out-of-date, and difficult to understand?
Bruce L. Shelley has done a simply fantastic job at providing a cumulative, synoptic, and easy-to-read overview on church history. I can't say enough good things about this book! It holds the timeless charm of historical volumes, but also includes anecdotal stories, theological contributions, and a readable format which ties era-to-era together. This is a book that anyone can read, and a book to which no one can use the excuse "I wish it were easier to understand!" Shelley has done the hard work of making church history easy to understand so his readers can enjoy and learn from the past. 5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommend!
There are problems with this complaint, but a lot of times it is true. History books have historically been stuffy and hard to grasp. This is problematic because it is vitally important that we comprehend and analyze history in order to not make the same mistakes again. How can we blame the younger generations for knowing nothing about history, and therefore not caring, if the resources we provide them with are stuffy, out-of-date, and difficult to understand?
Bruce L. Shelley has done a simply fantastic job at providing a cumulative, synoptic, and easy-to-read overview on church history. I can't say enough good things about this book! It holds the timeless charm of historical volumes, but also includes anecdotal stories, theological contributions, and a readable format which ties era-to-era together. This is a book that anyone can read, and a book to which no one can use the excuse "I wish it were easier to understand!" Shelley has done the hard work of making church history easy to understand so his readers can enjoy and learn from the past. 5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommend!
This book was suprisingly interesting and good to read.
informative
slow-paced
Church history from the disciples through Christian coalition.
The title really is pretty accurate! Having come, lost and confused, off of reading Chadwick's History of the Early Church, this was a breath of fresh air!
This book managed to give a pretty good overview of the history of the (primarily Western) church in very clear, understandable language. When new people and ideas were introduced, they were actually explained somewhat succinctly. I felt this was a great introduction to the study of church history. The author freely included his opinions and bias, but it was so obvious that I didn't mind too much.
The last few chapters dealing with the past century were jumbled and confused, but overall this book is highly recommended!
This book managed to give a pretty good overview of the history of the (primarily Western) church in very clear, understandable language. When new people and ideas were introduced, they were actually explained somewhat succinctly. I felt this was a great introduction to the study of church history. The author freely included his opinions and bias, but it was so obvious that I didn't mind too much.
The last few chapters dealing with the past century were jumbled and confused, but overall this book is highly recommended!
informative
slow-paced
Might better be called “The Parts of History the Church Likes to Remember”. Painfully myopic and selective. And the parts that are there are generally not engaging. The whole thing is a complete chore to get through. Second star for managing to get all the way through 2000 years.
This is written in layman's terminology but full of the basics. I still use it for reference.
This is the first church history book Ive read and going through the pages, I definitely had enjoyable moments breezing through its pages where I was so engrossed but also draggy moments when picking up the book to read was the last thing I wanted to do. It took me longer than expected to read it.
Overall, I really enjoyed Shelley’s attempt and execution in witting down over 2000 years worth of history into this condensed yet simplified book on church history. It is not an academic book but rather a good starting point for anyone interested in church history!
Shelley focused heavily on the spread of the gospel within the west (which I’m not mad at). He also mentions briefly how the gospel travelled to Africa and Asia leaving the reader to pursue their thirst of more knowledge.
I really liked the breakdown of the chapters, it made reading the book very manageable. Each chapter is written in bite size chunks which made it easy to take in.
Overall, it was a really good read! I’ve already recommended it to a few people and it’s definitely worth the mention I think.
Overall, I really enjoyed Shelley’s attempt and execution in witting down over 2000 years worth of history into this condensed yet simplified book on church history. It is not an academic book but rather a good starting point for anyone interested in church history!
Shelley focused heavily on the spread of the gospel within the west (which I’m not mad at). He also mentions briefly how the gospel travelled to Africa and Asia leaving the reader to pursue their thirst of more knowledge.
I really liked the breakdown of the chapters, it made reading the book very manageable. Each chapter is written in bite size chunks which made it easy to take in.
Overall, it was a really good read! I’ve already recommended it to a few people and it’s definitely worth the mention I think.
Almost 5 stars, because this was so much more readable that I thought it would be. Every Christian needs to know more about our history, it wasn't just Jesus then us — there's been 2000 years of believers before us. This book goes a long way at helping any Christian know a little more about their Christian ancestry.