The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2, Revised and Updated

The Reformation to the Present Day

By: Justo L. González

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 18 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Beginning with the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, this fully revised and updated second volume of The Story of Christianity continues the marvelous history of the world's largest religion. Award-winning historian Justo González brings to life the people, dramatic events, and theological debates that have shaped Protestantism, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy. From the monk Martin Luther, who dared to stand up to a corrupt pope, to the surprising spread and growing vitality of today's church in Africa, Asia, and South America, The Story of Christianity offers a complete and up-to-date retelling of this amazing history.

With new information on the important contributions of women to church history as well as the latest information on Christianity in developing countries, González's richly textured study discusses the changes and directions of the church up to the 21st century. The Story of Christianity covers such recent occurrences as the fall of the Soviet Union and the return of the Russian Orthodox Church; feminist, African American, and third-world theologies; the scandals and controversies facing the reign of Pope Benedict XVI; interfaith dialogue; and the movement toward unity of all Christian churches. This revised and updated edition of The Story of Christianity concludes with a thoughtful look at the major issues and debates facing Christianity today.

©2017 Justo L. Gonzalez (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

okay, but very biased.

in volume 1, Gonzalez approached the subject of Christian history more objectively. But when he came closer to modern times, one can immediately begin to see his leftist socialist bias. He continuously couches "conservative" movements as backward or reactionary, while praising anything progressive as forward thinking and needed. He repeatedly refers to the excesses of right-wing political movements, but any excesses of leftwing political movements, which are many and egregious, he either downplays or ignores completely. And when people throughout history have mixed Christian doctrine with secular anti-Biblical thinking, he puts this in a positive light, while putting any objections to such developments into the "conservative reactionary" category. He even couches in glowing positive terms how many Latin American churches are combining "Marxian theory" with Christian doctrinal teaching. This is a serious red flag. Marxism is a satanic and evil ideology, and anything less than total condemnation of it should be highly suspect to any reader. His examination of the earlier parts of Christianity are good and interesting, but this second volume is heavily tainted by his socialist leftist bias.

An excellent and objective view if church history

This book significantly changed my understanding of church history, while affirming and strenthening my commitment to an understanding of Christianity that is free from statism and hierarchicalism, both of which have been a plague on true bielievers.

Good information but tedious

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It depends. If they are a fan of history than yes, if not then no.

What three words best describe Michael Kramer’s voice?

I love Michael Kramer's voice. I've listened to two books of his and he did great with both.

Could you see The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2, Revised and Updated being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, this is a dry history read.

Any additional comments?

The author no doubt did great research and laid out the history from the reformation and on. However I just couldn't get into this like I did with volume 1. I think the format made it difficult to follow and at times the details got repetitive by rehashing the same movement for each region.

Excellent Survey of Christianity

I read both volumes for a (2 semester) Church History class (at Bethlehem College & Seminary). I REALLY enjoy both González’s writing and the audio version. Highly recommended!!

Just as good as the first volume!

You have to continue from the first half and all makes sense. useful as a teaching tool.

Great.

Page 486 skips over a quote by James Cone. They need to fix that. Over all clear and understandable voice.

History of global Christianity since the Reformation

Very knowledgeable author who writes in an easy to understand style. The narration in the audiobook is easy to follow.

Thorough exploration of complex subject

Gonzales has a theme for the history and development of Christianity across time and continents. He sees it as a growing organism which is changed by its economic and political circumstances.

Not as impartial as the last volume.

I liked the first book, and felt informed about the varying views and action, and available documents supporting what we understand, so I did not feel like I was just getting his take on history. Whereas this second/last volume seems quite partial, and in a few places he dismisses, disparages, or leaves unacknowledged entire views, movements, and areas of common debate.

In the first volume he speaks of how this is not necessarily a perfect recounting of the events, but of how we currently view the events of the history of Christianity, but it would have been more accurate to say it is a recounting of how HE views events. Even if there is consensus among others, I do not think he properly acknowledges his own bias and leaning in whom he seeks consensus.

For instance, he acknowledges competing views on Roger Williams views and intentions in one instance, and then seems to take his opponents arguments about him in his later years to suppose he adopted a view that allowed anyone to come to God through their own religion. His actual statements were that the "Unregenerate" natives Americans stood on equal footing with the "Unregenerate" Englishman of "Christendom" stood on equal footing in the eyes of God (both being unsaved). So his view, pulling down prejudices, appears to have been turned against him by the self-righteous Christians he spoke against, and Rodriguez's final statements leave one to think the author of the separation of church and state later abandoned the faith for some universalistic belief, but I do not believe this to be the case at all. This seems either sloppy research or simply taking the opposing views of the prejudice, complacent Christians Williams separated from.

Now, don't allow the seriousness of my critique cause you to think this wasn't a worth-while listen or read. I just would advise every point be taken with a grain of salt and you definitely shouldn't take it as the authoritative history of Christianity, but the view of a particular man, with a particular leaning, and perhaps with an agenda in certain areas.

Excellent text!

Vol 2 was required reading for my Christian History II class and I am so glad it was. I got the audio recording for the last section because I am a slow reader and listening-while-reading keeps me moving along and a decent pace. Well-written book with enjoyable narration on the audio. Two thumbs up!