Vividly tells the story of the migration of many thousands of German Jews--mostly poor; enterprising young people--to the US during the nineteenth century. Avraham Barkai draws on rare letters; diaries; memoirs; newspapers; journals; and other firsthand accounts as he chronicles the immigrants' experiences in towns and cities across the country; in the goldfields of California; on Indian reservations; on the battlefields of the Civil War; weaving their experiences into an account of the formative role they played in establishing the institutional framework of the American Jewish community. He also shows the significant impact on them as their influential networks were dramatically challenged at the turn of the century by the mass migration of Jews from Eastern Europe.
#1248584 in Books InterVarsity Press 2016-06-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .60 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 0830840885255 pagesIntroduction to World Christian History
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Introduction and Needed PerspectiveBy jacksonrl527Recently released by IVP Academic; Derek Cooper's Introduction to World Christian History is an excellent introductory text to the people; controversies; and events that have shaped twenty-one centuries of Christianity. Truly global in scope; the book will help Western Christians see and understand how Christianity developed in other parts of the world. As the center of Christianity has shifted to the Global South; it is important that we see Christianity through non-Western eyes. Derek Cooper; associate professor of World Christian History at Biblical Seminary; helps us to begin to see that Christianity's history is not a Western alone. Christianity's history began in Asia and has stretched around the world.StrengthsThe major strength of the book is the shift of focus from Western Christianity to Global Christianity. Cooper embraces the focus by placing a demarcation line of Christian history at the rise of Islam rather than the conversion of Constantine. This line shows great respect for Christians outside the West; as Islam has held more significant influence over the lives of Christians in the majority of the world than the rise of Christendom in the Roman Empire.The book surveys history rapidly. (See thoughts on depth below.) The writing flows. The language is not so technical that the reading would be difficult for most readers with an interest in the topic. A basic knowledge of theology and historical controversies that shaped systematic theology is helpful for understanding; but the lack of it would not prevent a reader from finding this book worthwhile.WeaknessesIf the reader is looking for an in-depth study of the various aspects of world Christianity; this book does not meet the need. The book is an introduction and covers twenty-plus centuries in a little over two hundred pages. Personally; as an introduction; I find it excellent.ConclusionFor a student in college or seminary; this book makes an excellent historical; survey text that could stimulate interest in further study later. Christians who are not in ministry professionally but who want to know more about Christianity's history will find the book very accessible. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a basic understanding of Christianity as it has come to be throughout the world.(Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from IVP Academic for review purposes. I was under no obligation to give a positive review.)4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An excellent introduction to the development of Christianity around the worldBy George P. WoodDerek Cooper begins his Introduction to World Christian History with a thought-provoking quote:"In just over 100 years; the map of world Christianity has changed almost out of recognition. In 1900; it is estimated that 70 percent of all Christians were to be found in Europe … whereas … by 2025 Africa and Latin America will be vying with one another to claim the most Christians; having about a quarter each of the world’s Christian population (p. 11; quoting Sebastian Kim and Kirsteen Kim; Christianity as a World Religion)."Given this monumental demographic shift; Christianity must be understood broadly as a global movement; rather than narrowly as a Western one.Unfortunately; too many evangelical histories of Christianity continue to evince a Eurocentric bias in their presentation. (The same can be said of other Christian traditions too; of course.) They trace the Church’s story from first-century Judea (where the Church was born) to fourth-century Rome (where orthodoxy formed a problematic relationship with the State) to medieval Europe (where Catholic Christendom flourished) to early modern Northern Europe (where the Reformation took root) to Enlightenment-era Britain and America (where evangelicalism began) to today—that is to say; they trace the history from “them†to “us.†That story is true; as far as it goes; but it leaves a lot of vital information out; about both past and present realities of the Church.The emerging field of “world Christian history†or “global Christian history†seeks to correct this Eurocentric bias and provide a more accurate history of the development of Christianity. “Despite its close connection to the West today; Christianity has always been a global and ethnically diverse religion;†Derek Cooper writes. “The time has come for the church to recognize that its history extends far beyond the Western hemisphere. The church was planted in Asia; nurtured in African and harvested worldwide†(p. 13).A thorough history of world Christianity would be a multi-volume affair. See; for example; Dale T. Irvin and Scott W. Sunquist’s projected World Christian Movement; whose first two volumes total 1;000 pages; with a third volume still awaiting publication. Even readers with an interest in the topic do not always have the time or patience to read long books like those. They should begin; instead; with Cooper’s Introduction to World Christian History; which summarizes the main points of world Christian history in less than 250 pages.Cooper arranges his narrative chronologically and geographically. Chronologically; he divides his material into “three fluid periods: (1) the first to seventh centuries; (2) the eighth through fourteenth centuries; and (3) the fifteenth to the twenty-first centuries†(p. 16). Geographically; he divides his material using the United Nations Geoscheme for Nations. Part 1 and 2 examine the development of Christianity in Asia; Africa; and Europe during the church’s first fifteen centuries. Part 3 begins in Europe; which is where Christianity had become spiritually and politically dominant; but then traces the Church’s development into new fields in Latin America; North America; Oceania; Southern Africa; and Asia. The Church’s development in this period coincided with European colonialism; which—paradoxically—constituted both an obstacle to the acceptance of Christianity by the indigenous peoples (because it was associated with foreign domination) as well as the catalyst for its growth (because indigenous peoples took the missionaries’ gospel and made it their own).Reflecting on this history; Cooper concludes his book with words that are worth quoting:"Christianity does not belong to Europe or America; or to Asia or Africa or Oceania any more than the wind can be captured; claimed and bottled. The wind [of the Holy Spirit] continues to blow today; just as it did in the past. We can hear the sound of it and witness how it transforms peoples and cultures. But we do not know how long the wind will remain with us and where it will go next (p. 244)."Wherever the Wind may blow; Christians should pray and work so that the Wind carries them along with it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Exciting and well-organized; with lots of paths to followBy J.W. WartickDerek Cooper’s Introduction to World Christian History provides a look at the development of Christianity across the world. It is a broad introduction to Christianity around the globe.The book is formatted both by space and time. That is; sections on each general area (i.e. Asia) are traced for a specific time period (i.e. First through Seventh Centuries). Thus; readers looking to have a reference to work from need not look much farther than this book. Other readers; who may simply be interested in the broad development of world Christianity will not be disappointed either. Cooper does an excellent job showing the ebb and flow of Christianity’s spread across vast regions of time and place. Individual stories of prominent Christians are told in historical context to highlight specific periods or ideas. These individual stories accompany a broader narrative that is delivered in a readable; engaging style.What makes the book particularly excellent is the way it provides all levels of readers with more to explore. It is an introductory text; for sure; but the notes are excellent and the topics explored are so broad that even readers with serious knowledge of Christian history will find more to explore. It is such a vast topic that no one can grasp each area; and Cooper gives glimpses into history that entice; like stained glass windows; much study.The only real downside here is unavoidable: with so much material covered; it is impossible to get a complete picture of any one topic. Readers must go beyond this introduction. But again; kudos to Cooper for making readers want to do so with such a rich narrative style.Introduction to World Christian History is the kind of book that will broaden readers minds in a number of ways. From those merely interested in a specific region to those who want to know just how we got to where we are; the book has broad appeal. Cooper’s style makes it extremely accessible for any level of reader; with plenty to tantalize more advanced readers as well. I recommend it highly.The Good+Fantastic overview covering large swathes of time and space+Provides readers with broader understanding of Christianity+Written in an interesting; readable styleThe Bad-Extremely brief on many interesting pointsDisclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review from the publisher. I was not required to provide any specific kind of feedback whatsoever.
