Church History in Plain Language [Audio Edition]

I know I might be a little weird, but I just finished this Church History wanting to study church history even more. I think that is the gift of Shelley's writing here. Clearly [pun intended], this church history is to be in plain language and therefore accessible. In order for it to be accessible, it can't be too long, and the big facts of church history have to be handled in paragraphs. Bruce Shelley, page after page, gives us concise overviews of complex situations with insightful perspective.

Some might complain of the lack of details and others unsure of the value of this at all. The former should dig deeper. There are many resources available to them. The later, I will leave you with how Bruce starts his book. I think he settles the matter.

"As a consequence of our ignorance concerning Christian history, we find believers vulnerable to the appeals of cultists. Some distortion of Christianity is often taken for the real thing. At the same time other Christians reveal a shocking capacity for spiritual pride, hubris. Without an adequate base for comparisons they spring to the defense of their way as the best way—their party as the superior party. Finally, many Christians engage in some form of ministry without the advantage of a broader context for their labor. When they want to make the best use of their time or their efforts, they have no basis for sound judgment." [1]

[1] Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language, Updated 2nd ed. (Dallas, TX: Word Pub., 1995), xv.