Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition

The Story of the Church for Today's Readers

By Bruce Shelley | Publisher: Zondervan Academic

About the book

Over 330,000 copies sold. This is the story of the church for today's readers.

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.

Editions of Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition

EBook
ISBN 9780310115984

Read an Excerpt

Over 330,000 copies sold. This is the story of the church for today's readers.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition about?

Over 330,000 copies sold. This is the story of the church for today's readers.

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.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition?

Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Christianity > Christian Churches, denominations, groups

Where can I read a sample of Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780310115984

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition?

Bruce Shelley

Who is the Publisher of the book Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition?

Zondervan Academic

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition is available as ebook(ISBN 9780310115984)

Where can I buy Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition?