Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Church History In Plain Language Updated 2nd Edition by Bruce L. Shelley ISBN: 0-8499-3861-9 Publisher: Word Publishing Pub. Date: 07 May, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.12 (34 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Disappointing and Highly Subjected
Comment: The title of this book is enticing; however, readers should be aware that a more accurate title is "A Protestant view of Church History in Plain Language." While Dr. Shelley is true to his word in providing a short and highly readable history of the Church, it fails in many ways. The author often attempts half hearted efforts to provide both sides of the story regarding complex disagreements regarding mostly Catholic versus Protestant church doctrine. Unfortunately, the result of these efforts is providing a one line argument which he promptly refutes by jumping to his predestined conclusion, his Protestant view. The author's unscholarly approach on one hand should be commended as the potentially boring issue of church history becomes readable. On the other hand it becomes a highly biased medium subject to the author's own personal beliefs. In the process it misses its objective. If you are Catholic the book forgone conclusions are demeaning. If you are Protestant you may find the book decidedly misleading.
Rating: 4
Summary: clear, engaging, and well written
Comment: When I first purchased this book, I was rather wary. All too often, historians dealing with religion bring along a few spare axes to grind when writing their texts. I was happily surprised by Bruce Shelley's "Church History in Plain Language." It is a clear, reader-friendly overview of the history of Christianity.
Shelley is as fair as can be expected. He approaches history as neutrally as possible while still acknowledging his Protestant background. Instead of trying to fit history into a doctrinal box, Shelley presents facts. Shelley focuses on the key events and personalities that shaped the history of Christianity.
The most appealing thing about "Church History in Plain Language" is its readability. The author's narrative goes a long way in making what could be dry and boring into an engaging story. In some cases, Shelley has made me feel closer to some of his subjects (Augustine, Gregory the Great, and Calvin) in just a few pages than other authors have with whole books.
I highly recommend Bruce Shelley's "Church History in Plain Language." It is probably the best one volume introduction to the history of Christianity available.
Rating: 2
Summary: Not very good...
Comment: I always hate doing this to my own brethren but I could only read 3 hours of this. Wordy, boring and dry.
 |
Title: Christian History Made Easy by Timothy Paul Jones ISBN: 1890947105 Publisher: Rose Publishing Pub. Date: July, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
 |
Title: Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark A. Noll ISBN: 080106211X Publisher: Baker Book House Pub. Date: January, 2001 List Price(USD): $18.99 |
 |
Title: Chronological and Background Charts of Church History by Robert C. Walton, Earle E. Cairns ISBN: 0310362814 Publisher: Zondervan Pub. Date: 06 April, 1986 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
 |
Title: The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History by A. Kenneth Curtis, J. Stephen Lang, Randy Petersen ISBN: 0800756444 Publisher: Fleming H Revell Co Pub. Date: February, 1998 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
 |
Title: Readings in Christian Thought by Hugh T. Kerr ISBN: 0687355478 Publisher: Abingdon Press Pub. Date: April, 1990 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
