Introducing Christianity

by Sally Bruyneel, Alan G. Padgett

Offers a basic introduction to the nature of sacred time and space, explaining who Jesus is, the Jewish world in which he lived, the formation of the Scriptures, the birth of Christianity, and its growth into several families of a world religion. Original.

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[ella beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting and infuriating . christianity at its best

[Don Bryant]

This is a book that I use in my Christian Traditions course. When the word "Introducing" is used, the authors mean it. This is the simplest of introductions I have found. It is a bare 137 pages of text with some addendum. If one knows virtually nothing about Christianity theologically or institutionally or biblically, this would be the easiest book. It is a Protestant book. But the recommendation on the back of the book cover is by a Roman Catholic. So the book speaks for the Christian tradition more than it weighs in on the internecine struggles of the church. It is not a book for the committed Evangelical churchman who is somewhat grounded. He would be very dissatisfied and perhaps even feel that the book "waters down" the cutting edge of the Gospel's message of free justification, though it is not denied and at times explored. Still, for the complete novice in my classes, this book does the necessary job of surveying the landscape of Christianity that is inclusive of Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism with a mild Evangelical flavor. It will include subjects that would often not be covered in a purely Evangelical book, like the seven sacraments, the liturgical calendar, Christian symbols, etc.

The chapters are: Sacred Time, Sacred Space; Christian Worship; Who is Jesus?; The Bible; Common Christian Roots; Denominations and Differences; Christian Life and Thought (theology and ethics). It has suggestions for further reading. The list leans toward the more mainstream and progressive side of Evangelicalism. There is no John Piper, Al Mohler, Gospel Coalition people here. There are some Roman Catholic resources recommended. I have read many of the books and am comfortable with the selections with just a few exceptions.

I find it interesting that the book, which generally stays away from theological battles, decidedly, and rather immediately, takes a stand for women priests/pastors. This is rather odd to me in a book which supposedly represents the Christian Tradition where Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy, which together make up 60%+ of Christianity, are clearly for male-specific priests, not even counting the number of conservative Evangelicals. What's up with this? Reading between the lines, as I do after 40+ years in full time ministry, I am inclined to interpret the authors as bent toward that brand of Evangelicalism which is inclined to be left of center.

It would be hard for me to imagine where in the church to use this book, but it fits in the pluralistic classroom. The students find it readable and comprehensible.