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Title: A History of Christian Thought: From the Protestant Reformation to the Twentieth Century (History of Christian Thought) by Justo L. Gonzalez ISBN: 0-687-17184-9 Publisher: Abingdon Press Pub. Date: 01 July, 1987 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: What is "Christian Thought"?
Comment: I would disagree with the previous reviewer that this book does wrong when it devotes one chapter (entitled The Changing Philosophical Setting) to the philosophy that shaped 18th century theology. The fact is that Kant's philosophy very profoundly affected Christian THOUGHT both in his own time and to this very day.
The book is not entitled "A History of Christianity" but rather "A History of Christian Thought" I dare say that Kant's philosophy had a much greater influence on Christian thought than the Great Awakening did. Certainly the Great Awakening was very important to American Christianity and produced some very great preachers, but its impact on Christian thought was not so great, which is why I believe Gonzalez did not spend as much time on it.
Indeed, it is impossible to understand the liberal theology that came after Kant without an understanding of Kant himself, just like it is impossible to understand great literature without the historical setting. I would say that in a book of this size, 7 pages devoted to such an important philosopher/theologian as Kant is not at all overdone.
Overall, I find Gonzalez' account generally accurate and well-written. If you are looking for a good overview of how Christian thought changed from the Reformation to modern times, this is it. If you are looking for a general history of Christianity from the Reformation to modern times, look elsewhere (and for much larger book(s)).
Rating: 2
Summary: What is a "Christian"?
Comment: Mr. Gonzalez' series is full of insightful research and reasonable conclusions concerning the various views of controversies that have arisen throughout the history of the church. The material contained in this volume is excellent in its synopsis of the events and thoughts of the early Reformation era. However, we must question whether this volume is sincerely a review of the history of "Christian" thought when so much attention is given to anti-revelatory philosophers such as Hume and Kant. They deserve mention for their impact on the minds of culture, to be sure, but they do not merit this amount of discussion in such a title as this. Similarly, one wonders how it is that the events of the North American Great Awakening are rewarded with a few pages, and the works and impact of neo-Orthodox exponents receive tens of pages of commentary. Admittedly, one can find evangelical histories in abundance which provide descriptions and discussions of 18th Century evangelism and its fruits, but the book IS entitled, "History of Christian Thought." Typically ecumenical in conclusion.
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