Essays by eleven prominent scholars provide the latest insights into the seventeenth-century history of the Hudson Valley and its environs.This book provides an in-depth introduction to the issues involved in the expansion of European interests to the Hudson River Valley; the cultural interaction that took place there; and the colonization of the region. Written in accessible language by leading scholars; these essays incorporate the latest historical insights as they explore the new world in which American Indians and Europeans interacted; the settlement of the Dutch colony that ensued from the exploration of the Hudson River; and the development of imperial and other networks which came to incorporate the Hudson Valley.“This well-conceived volume illuminates the various contexts of life in the seventeenth-century Hudson Valley. Both laymen and specialists will gain new insights from the twelve essays; which reveal everything from the European background of tolerance and inter-imperial strife to the significance of wampum and the role of a Native model of inter-group relations that shaped Iroquois ties with the Dutch.†— Willem Klooster; author of Revolutions in the Atlantic World: A Comparative History “A perfect tribute to the Hudson Valley’s unique history and how it changed forever in the decades following Henry Hudson’s 1609 voyage! The essays in this rich collection capture the complex; interconnected world experienced by those who lived in the Hudson River Valley in the seventeenth century; a place at the crossroads of four continents; an area contested by three emerging empires; a valley where Munsee; Mahican; and Mohawk interacted with European cultures. Both professional historians and those new to the field will be intrigued by the wide variety of topics. This collection by an esteemed group of historians makes an outstanding contribution to both New Netherland and Atlantic history.†— Dennis J. Maika; New Netherland Institute.
#234007 in Books Crossway Books 2012-04-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .70 x 5.90l; .95 #File Name: 1433528487320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten FaithBy Joseph T. CochranRetroChristianity is an exceptionally well written popular level study of ecclesiology. Michael Svigel; an associate professor in the theological studies department at Dallas Seminary and an elder at Scofield Memorial church writes a witty; simple to connect with evaluation of the evangelical church. He does so by looking back to what has become of the Church up to today; looking back again to what the roots of the church always were and were meant to be; correcting the errors of today; and exhorting the church to apprehend the forgotten methods of yesterday in order to rally a resurgence of the evangelical community to fall closer in line with the churches historic tradition.To accomplish this task Svigel addresses ecclesiology in four parts. Part one traces the story of evangelicalism; explores the problems of todays church; explores how he will address those problems; and offers his solution; which he describes as RetroChristianity. In Part two he offers three canons of RetroChristianity: 1) Some things never change and never should; 2) Some things have never been the same and never will be; and 3) Some things grow clear through trial and error. Part three I found fascinating. Here Svigel reveals four myths and four marks of the church. He also goes into greater detail by dedicating time to unpacking the essential marks and works of the church. Then part four closes the book with a discussion of how the corporate community gathers to express the faith; how an individual ought to think about church and the spiritual disciplines; and how the Christian community ought to move forward from here.Allow me to share with you some of my general observations and conclusion concerning this book. First; one of the valuable features of this book is that Svigel offers insight not just from a biblical theological study but also from a historical theological study. In addition to the ample use of the biblical text to structure and support his viewpoint he corroborates with early extra-biblical resources that tell us what the early church really did and what the apostles passed onto the early church leaders. Second; his methodology is so well structured and his argument for ecclesiology is so well planned out that it altogether becomes quite memorable to the reader. This book will be an accessible resource to any pastor who is evaluating today's expressions of the church. Third; Svigel shows no attachment to what is trendy and intentionally dispels any motive for letting RetroChristianity become trendy. His focus is on what is biblical; theological; and historical: thus his argument is assembled from these core values and is presented with those core values in mind. This book will both challenge assumptions and dispel myths about what church is meant to look like.Now it is only fair to provide a disclosure concerning the expected target audience of this book. Svigel being a non-denominational church goer writes in such a way that this book ends up being most helpful to non-denominational churches. However; those with a denominational affiliation such as baptists might also find this book helpful. It is also likely that a Presbyterian might read this book and find encouragement concerning his tradition's ecclesiology.What will follow this generally introductive review to RetroChristianity by Michael Svigel will be a four part review that will plow through each part of Svigel's work highlighting the work's strenghts and the helpful corrections Svigel offers to the Church.In closing; Svigel writes:I often wonder what the bygone generations of Christianity might think if they could peer "across the fields of yesterday" and see what had become of the faith for which they lived and died. I constantly ask myself; "If the church fathers or Protestant Reformers were to show up at my church; would they worship . . . or run (Svigel; 44)?"Perhaps it is time for you to evaluate your church according to this acid test that Svigel suggests. If a church father or protestant reformer stumbled upon your assembly; how would they respond? Reading RetroChristianity will help you assess.I recommend picking up a copy of RetroChristianity and following along as each part of this four part review series releases. You may find this book here at Crossway for a very reasonable price.View more book reviews by Joey Cochran at jtcochran.com.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The best book on the church that I have read in years.By MikeThis book is absolutely phenomenal.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great reminders of the pillars that sustain the church foundationBy HawthronGreat reminders of the pillars that sustain the church foundation:Pillar of essential Marks: Orthodoxy; Order; OrdinancePillar of essential Works: Evangelism; Edification; Exaltation
