The Story of Christianity

A History of 2000 Years of the Christian Faith

By: David Bentley Hart

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

In The Story of Christianity, the distinguished theologian David Bentley Hart provides a broad picture of Christian history. Presented in 50 short chapters - each focusing on a critical facet of Christian history or theology, and each amplified by timelines, and quotations - his magisterial account does full justice to the range of Christian tradition, belief, and practice - Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Evangelical, Coptic, Chaldean, Ethiopian Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Malankaran, to name but a few of the many possibilities.

From the persecutions of the early church to the papal-imperial conflicts of the Middle Ages, from the religious wars of 16th and 17th-century Europe to the challenges of science and secularism in the modern era, and from the ancient Christian communities of Africa and Asia to the "house churches" of contemporary China, The Story of Christianity triumphantly captures the heterogeneous richness of Christian history.

©2009 David Bentley Hart (P)2021 Tantor

Where are the Waldensians?

The brilliant writer and theologian David Bentley Hart has brought forth the story of Christianity in an outstanding and digestible way in this sweeping book. Yet it contains one glaring omission. There is no mention of the Waldensians, the earliest proto-Protestant group in the world and the one that survives to this day as the predominant Protestant Church in italy. The early Waldensians were a model for the Franciscans. The Waldensians continued to practice their faith despite terrible persecution throughout the Middle Ages before joining with the Reformation to survive. They have come down today as a leading force for hospitality toward refugees, inclusion of peoples of different backgrounds in their communion and early ordination of women. If This brilliant author ever does another edition of this book he must include the Waldensians.

Comprehensive and Succinct

I’ve never heard a more broadly complete yet tersely summarized telling of Christian history that both placed in historical context everything I had ever learned about Christianity, and also taught me a lot of new things. It was also very well read for the audiobook without a single mistake. If I have one loose end that I expected to be addressed but was never was, it would be commentary directly on the Christianity of Scandinavia. I don’t think it was ever specifically mentioned, but may have simply been grouped under the general narrative of the Germanic churches.

Not a deep dive

Very cursory overview. Not a deep dive, if that is what you're looking for.

Disturbingly helpful

A intriguing sweep of Christian history, DBH does a great job at highlighting various snapshots over the years... pretty disturbing to listen to it all at once. I've heard about much of this over the years, but to have it in one source is incredibly beneficial.

Learned so much!

For a lay believer like me, this book was a journey through the stories of countless fellow believers I otherwise would never have heard of. I’m grateful to have come across this book!