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Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000010261932 | BR477 W67 2006 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
This is the first scholarly treatment of nineteenth-century Christianity to discuss the subject in a global context. Part I analyses the responses of Catholic and Protestant Christianity to the intellectual and social challenges presented by European modernity. It gives attention to the explosion of new voluntary forms of Christianity and the expanding role of women in religious life. Part II surveys the diverse and complex relationships between the churches and nationalism, resulting in fundamental changes to the connections between church and state. Part III examines the varied fortunes of Christianity as it expanded its historic bases in Asia and Africa, established itself for the first time in Australasia, and responded to the challenges and opportunities of the European colonial era. Each chapter has a full bibliography providing guidance on further reading.
Reviews 2
Choice Review
These two volumes in "The Cambridge History of Christianity" are reference works rather than narrative histories. For volume 8, covering c.1815-c.1914, each of 38 international scholars has written a chapter that covers the period topically. The chapters are grouped in three sections. Part 1, "Christianity and Modernity," examines the reaction of the Roman Catholic Church and various Protestant churches to modern thought in Europe. Part 2, "The Churches and National Identities," examines Christianity and politics in France, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Poland, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, the US, Canada, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. The third section, "The Expansion of Christianity," surveys 19th-century Christianity in Asia and Africa.For volume 9, 36 international scholars contributed chapters. Grouped into three sections--"Institutions and Movements," "Narratives of Change," and "Social and Cultural Impact"--the chapters cover quite diverse themes. Chapters include "The Papacy," "The Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements," "The Religious Ferment of the Sixties," "East Asia," "Liturgy," and "Role-Models." For both volumes, information in the chapters is accurate and scholarly, and backed up with footnotes and a bibliography. The indexes for these volumes are comprehensive and helpful. These works could be useful for reference collections or as supplementary college texts. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers. G. Holloway David Lipscomb University
Library Journal Review
These are the final two volumes in a groundbreaking Cambridge series that presents Christianity not simply as a Middle Eastern/Western religion but as a worldwide phenomenon extending to India, East Asia, the Pacific Islands, and sub-Saharan Africa. Volume 8 covers the years between 1815 and 1914. Edited by theologians Stanley (The Bible and the Flag) and Gilley (Newman and His Age), this excellent collection of 36 signed articles is grouped into three parts: "Christianity and Modernity," "The Churches and National Identities," and "The Expansion of Christianity." The contributors' different views are not glossed over or synthesized in this volume, which treats the Enlightenment as both threat and catalyst as Christianity engages or rejects science and biblical criticism; sees colonialism as the contributing factor to the spread of Christianity, even if tainted by political domination; and explains how an already-divided Christianity became Christianities. The omission of Eastern Orthodox and Oriental churches (covered separately in Volume 5) is an unfortunate decision, especially considering that Eastern Catholic (a.k.a. "Uniate") churches are included. Nevertheless, this volume should appeal to historians, literary and academic religious scholars, Christian clergy, and others. Volume 9, covering the period between 1914 and the turn of the century, comprises 33 chapters and involves over 30 contributors. It is divided into three distinct parts: "Institutions and Movements" (e.g., ecumenism), "Narratives of Change" (e.g., the Great War), and "Social and Cultural Impact" (e.g., relations with other religions). Church historian McLeod (Piety and Poverty: Working Class Religion in Berlin, London and New York 1870-1914) has authored the first two and last two chapters while doing an excellent job of framing five dominant issues in the rest of the articles: the development of Christianity into a worldwide religion, challenges to the religion in Europe and North America, the decreased importance of denominations and increased contact with followers of other faiths, the role of war, and the relationship between movements for emancipation and Christianity. He also articulates a sixth issue that is treated pervasively rather than in discreet sections: the "revolution in communications" brought about by advancements in travel and new media. Both volumes, much like the series as a whole, are essential acquisitions not only for academic and seminary libraries but for large public libraries as well.-Carolyn M. Craft, Longwood Univ., Farmville, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
