One of the chief difficulties in studying the history of Christianity is the lack of prior exposure to the subject that students often bring with them. Struggling to keep up with the large numbers of names; dates; and places presented to them; it is easy for students to lose sight of the "big picture;" the broad sweep of movement and change that instructors most wish to communicate. Justo Gonzalez has written this book to help students gain just such a quick and basic grasp of the main periods and issues in the history of Christianity. Drawing upon his own extensive experience and that of others; he contends that having been introduced to the essentials of church history in a brief and accessible form; students are far better able to understand and appreciate what they encounter in more detailed lectures and reading. Gonzalez provides a comprehensive opening chapter that summarizes major issues and concerns of each of the principal eras of church history. Subsequent chapters focus on the ancient church; the Christian empire; the Middle Ages; the Reformation; the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries; and the twentieth century and the end of modernity.
#29549 in Books Free Press 1997-07-01 1997-07-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.00 x .30 x 4.19l; .12 #File Name: 068483828196 pagesGreat product!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A great resource for parents and educators alike; and still relevant todayBy Andrew ZanderAlthough Experience and Education is small in form and a mere 91 pages in length; it is packed with highly useful information not only for professional educators but also for parents and caregivers of children. It is bittersweet that Dewey's work remains relevant many decades after it was first published. Sadly; too little has been done to improve the quality of education in this country. Writers and educators such as Dewey have given us the tools needed to provide high quality education to the youth of our nation. Unfortunately; there appears to be little resolve to implement them on a wide scale. One of the very few positive aspects of this situation is that Dewey is still read and much is still learned from this great figure in American education.Dewey's recipe for a successful education is clear and can even be inferred from the title of this book in which experience is placed before education. Education is a product of experience. According to Dewey; not just any experience will do. Experience must be related to prior experience and expand upon it so as to stretch the current limits of knowledge.In order for experience to facilitate further growth in education; the educator must be a keen observer of their students; being able to monitor their current abilities. Rather than simply forcing knowledge onto students; Dewey believes that teachers should act more as group leaders. For Dewey; learning should be driven by the desires of the student with the teacher offering guidance; feedback; and structure to the activities. Dewey's approach is on that can also be used to great effect by parents when planning activities for their children. A little extra preparation time when going to a zoo or museum can turn into a richer; more memorable experience.There is little doubt that Dewey would be disappointed by the current state of American education. As a result of education slipping as a national priority; the quality of education has been in decline for decades. In addition; as funding has declined and the population has risen; class size has increased. This alone makes giving adequate attention to each student a virtual impossibility. Being unable to engage in careful observation of students prevents the implementation of progressive education. Consequently; Dewey's methods remain relevant and would be useful reading for both educators and parents alike.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Educational geniusBy Kelly RyanHad not heard of him till I read this. He was an educational genius. This book isn’t thick. Like 90 pages. But jam packed full of sense. I warn though; it’s very... philosophical. It is not written in layman’s terms. It is a fairly high reading level. Will make you think.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Pedagogy again at its best.By The First BillionaireThis text also was proprietary to higher education as it covers the advent of all education and the importance of conceptual creations constructed by yester-year educational theorists that are still successfully in place today. Work experience is a theory promulgated by John Dewey in the 19th century that incorporated these experiences into the classroom curriculum is currently promoted in schools of the 21st century via academic credit for work experiences. In fact; several more of Mr. Dewey's theories abound effectively in modern institutions of higher education. Pedagogy again at its best.
