Church History in Plain Language, 5th ed.

by Bruce L. Shelley

Publisher:

Zondervan Academic

, 2021

Overview

Bruce Shelley’s classic history of the church brings the story of global Christianity into the twenty-first century. Like a skilled screenwriter, Shelley begins each chapter with three elements: characters, setting, plot. Taking readers from the early centuries of the church up through the modern era he tells his readers a story of actual people, in a particular situation, taking action or being acted upon, provides a window into the circumstances and historical context, and from there develops the story of a major period or theme of Christian history. Covering recent events, this book also:

• Details the rapid growth of evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity in the southern hemisphere
• Addresses the decline in traditional mainline denominations
• Examines the influence of technology on the spread of the gospel
• Discusses how Christianity intersects with other religions in countries all over the world

For this fifth edition, Marshall Shelley brought together a team of historians, historical theologians, and editors to revise and update this father's classic text. The new edition adds important stories of the development of Christianity in Asia, India, and Africa, both in the early church as well as in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It also highlights the stories of women and non-Europeans who significantly influenced the development of Christianity but whose contributions are often overlooked in previous overviews of church history.

This concise book provides an easy-to-read guide to church history with intellectual substance. The new edition of Church History in Plain Language promises to set a new standard for readable church history.

Key Features

• Examines the influence of technology on the spread of the gospel
• Discusses how Christianity intersects with other religions in countries all over the world
• Addresses the decline in traditional mainline denominations

Product Details

• Title: Church History in Plain Language, 5th ed.
• Author: Bruce L. Shelley
• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Pages: 560
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRCHHSTPLN5THD
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2021-01-11T16:10:10Z

Benefits of Logos Edition

In the Logos Reader Edition, this volume is enhanced to best fit the content. Scripture references are hand-tagged to integrate with powerful functionality in Logos Bible Software. Page milestones and internal citation tagging provide accurate points of reference. Search important words across resources to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive tools for reading digital content are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

About Bruce L. Shelley

Dr. Bruce Shelley is the senior professor of church history and historical theology at Denver Seminary. He joined the faculty in 1957. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and received a theological degree from Fuller Seminary. He also attended Columbia Bible College. Dr. Shelley has written or edited over twenty books, including Church History in Plain Language, All the Saints Adore Thee, The Gospel and the American Dream, Theology of Ordinary People, and The Consumer Church. He serves on the editorial advisory board of Christian History and has published numerous articles for magazines and encyclopedias. He served as consulting editor for InterVarsity’s Dictionary of Christianity in America. He is a corresponding editor of Christianity Today and has published articles in Encyclopedia Americana, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, and New International Dictionary of the Christian Church.

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