Book Review: The Story of Christianity Vol. 1 by Justo Gonzalez

Book Review: The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation Justo Gonzalez https://amzn.to/3f3Lll8 Overall Impression: Gonzalez’ history of Christianity is a fresh take on a story that has been written many times. Early in the book he confesses that history is “interpreted from our own present and from the future for which we hope” making room for the contributions of past, present, and future historians. His book shines a light on influential women who were not given much ink in other histories and shares about many indigenous people of North and South America who shaped the Christian faith during the colonial period. (i.e., Macrina, sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa) Since the book was published in 2010, the language is modern and accessible for many more readers than older histories. I highly recommend Justo Gonzalez’ The Story of Christianity: Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation. Key themes: “Christianity is not contained in any one church organization.” When reading Gonzalez’ history, it’s easy to see that people of authentic faith in Jesus Christ were members of many kinds of churches. There is a common faith in Jesus Christ that godly Catholics, Orthodox, and other church members possess. It is not bound by region, race, or the church name. “Reform and renewal are always needed.” Even though Volume 1 precedes the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century, Christian leaders were calling for reform and renewal from the earliest centuries of the church. The Church Fathers of the second century were calling for church reform. The bishops at the time of Constantine were calling for renewal. The entire Czech Church led by Jan Milic and later John Huss began reformation efforts 200 years before Luther. The church struggles to be what God has called it to be, so it is always in need of reform and renewal. Memorable quotes: (From the Introduction) “The notion that we read the New Testament exactly as the early Christians did, without any weight of tradition coloring our interpretation, is an illusion. It is also a dangerous illusion, for it tends to absolutize our interpretation, confusing it with the Word of God.” González, Justo L. . The Story of Christianity: Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation (p. 3). HarperOne. Kindle Edition. (Clement of Alexandria, died in 215) “For the truly wise, faith is the first principle, the starting point, on which reason is to build. But Christians who are content with faith, and do not use reason to build upon it, are again like children who are forever content with milk.” González, Justo L. . The Story of Christianity: Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation (pp. 87-88). HarperOne. Kindle Edition. Artist: Niki Song: Positive Pop Dance   / positive-pop-dance-royalty-free-music   🔴 Subscribe for more videos about growing in Jesus Christ:    / ryanenser   🔴 Check out this playlist on How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible    • How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible   🟢 Listen to my podcast about growing in Jesus Christ: 🎤Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3loXpIR... 🎤Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ✅ Connect with me: For collaboration and projects: [email protected] Instagram:   / ryanenser   Twitter:   / ryanenser   Snapchat:   / ryanenser   Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/cR1jSc/