Protestants

The Faith That Made the Modern World

De: Alec Ryrie

Narrado por: Tim Bruce

In this dazzling global history that charts five centuries of innovation and change, Alec Ryrie makes the case that Protestants made the modern world. Protestants introduces us to the men and women who defined and redefined this quarrelsome faith. Some turned to their newly accessible bibles to justify bold acts of political opposition, others to support a new understanding of who they were and what they could and should do. Above all, they were willing to fight for their beliefs.

If you look at any of the great confrontations of the last five centuries, you will find Protestants defining the debate on both sides. Protestants have also fought among themselves. What unites them all is a passion for God and a vital belief in the principle of self-determination.

Protestants have set out for all four corners of the globe, embarking on courageous journeys into the unknown to set up new communities and experiment with new systems of government. They are resourceful innovators and are making new converts every day in China, Africa, and Latin America. Protestants created America and defined its special brand of entrepreneurial diligence.

Whether you are yourself a Protestant, or even a Christian, you live in a world, and are guided by principles and ideas, shaped by Protestants.

©2017 Alec Ryrie (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

LONG, and narration is tough to follow

The story is of course important. I didn't realize when downloading that I was getting an academic book more than anything, which I should have assumed considering the author is an academic. Important information no doubt. The narrator sounds too robotic, in my opinion. Hard to follow because of that.

A secular history protestantism.

I took a Bible as literature class in college and it was basically a professor trying to say that the Bible was worthless and not worthy of study or reading. It quickly became apparent that the professor had not even read the Bible because he would miss quoted continually and was unfamiliar with passages I would suggest that would counter his claims.
While this book was full of historical information it was devoid of anything but descriptions of a Godless religion. It felt a bit like a color-blind person talking to me about sunsets.
If you are interested in history of all the Obscure Cults that have fragmented out of different denominations by all means read this book.
The Reformation, which gave rise to protestantism, was about abandoning the empty religion and forms of the Catholic Church for a direct relationship with God and yet he focuses more on the forms and empty religions of different religious sects that have sprung up as a replacement to the forms of Catholicism. Of all the different groups and sects not once was anything like a typical Bible believing church found in America discussed. An atheist could read this book and feel proud of their decision and maybe that was the books goal.
I liked was expecting something different so was disappointed.

A very thoughtful analysis.

Ryrie's book intelligently and affectionately records the Protestant peoples throughout our history.

His summation of Luther is possibly one of the best brief overviews I have heard. He also is kind towards almost all of his subjects without succumbing to servile relativism. He has his opinions, but he is not going to either force them upon the reader or back away from them. When given the choice between being charitable or judgmental, he opts for the former when possible but is unashamed of employing the latter when necessary.

This hits a bit of a stumble towards the end (although to be fair he warns the reader about the problems of prognostication). It is impossible to predict where things will go in the macro level, but most Protestants are far more fixated on their own small areas than the larger movement. In other words, I doubt Protestants can afford to focus on future issues while they are attempting to take faithful proclamation one day at a time.

Still, a minor falter at the end should not negate the importance of this subject, the ambition of it's execution, or the quality of it's craftsmanship. Well done.

Puffy narration, Judgemental tone, but valuable

It's always useful to hear what adversaries have to say. It was a real struggle to hear all the failings of my heroes in the faith, but I did it! The narrator has a thick British accent, so I had to think carefully to understand him correctly - - and he comes off as self-satisfied. Good historical overview of worldwide church development.

surprisingly useful

first i am an atheist and a student of history.

not looking for a book on religion as i found it boring and just stumbled upon it.

it is surprisingly useful by shedding lights on many historical events i thoight i knew well. a lot of humor too

Excellent work on an interesting topic

Ryrie 's expansive coverage of 500 years of history as regards the continued influence of Protestantism from Hus, Wycliffe & Luther through to the present day was equalled by Tim Bruce's exceptional verbal presentation. Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

A thorough history of Protestantism.

An excellent narrator, and a thorough history. In the second half there is also history of Protestantism outside of Europe and North America, so stick with it. Definitely not a triumphalist history, but also not overly critical. An honest telling.

Very balanced

Frequently the Protestant question can be one that is dealt with in polemic terms where someone's skin in the game is all you hear. This is a balanced, fast paced account of how Protestantism has changed history. Very worth a listen for any Christian.

Too much to cover

This is such a high topic. For anyone who has lived the Protestant experience you will probably think the author leaves out some histories. But then you realize there is much more to the Protestant story than we realize. The author does a good job of covering as much as he does. I would have liked a little more actual theology. But overall-Fascinating.