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The Lives of Great Christians
Meet some of Christianity's luminary figures - the followers of Jesus who have practiced and preached their beliefs for centuries. Whether well known or obscure or even nameless, their actions and achievements, their abilities and energies have changed the course of history and the nature of belief.
These 24 inspirational lectures will inspire you by the many ways these figures found to live lives of faith. You'll stand spellbound in the crowd, listening to Bernardino and Augustine preach and teach. You'll visit the solitary cells and see the visions of Bernard, Clare, and Catherine. You'll witness the negotiations as Gregory VII and Leo IX reform the church. And you'll hear the verdicts of heresy against John Hus and against Martin Luther.
More than doctrine or theology or even prayer, Christianity, for many, is the daily effort to live one's faith in every time and place. Professor Cook introduces you to those who have done so over the centuries and shows the many paths they found.
If you seek your own path, their lives will inspire you. You will understand how Christians' faith has changed Christianity, and how these believers can help light your own way. And if you are wondering what Christians value and how they practice those values, you will see real lives that exemplify Christian faith in action.
These 24 inspirational lectures will inspire you by the many ways these figures found to live lives of faith. You'll stand spellbound in the crowd, listening to Bernardino and Augustine preach and teach. You'll visit the solitary cells and see the visions of Bernard, Clare, and Catherine. You'll witness the negotiations as Gregory VII and Leo IX reform the church. And you'll hear the verdicts of heresy against John Hus and against Martin Luther.
More than doctrine or theology or even prayer, Christianity, for many, is the daily effort to live one's faith in every time and place. Professor Cook introduces you to those who have done so over the centuries and shows the many paths they found.
If you seek your own path, their lives will inspire you. You will understand how Christians' faith has changed Christianity, and how these believers can help light your own way. And if you are wondering what Christians value and how they practice those values, you will see real lives that exemplify Christian faith in action.
12 pages, Audible Audio
Published July 8, 2013
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
William R. Cook
32 books30 followersDr. William R. Cook is the Distinguished Teaching Professor of History at the State University of New York at Geneseo, where he has taught since 1970. He earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude from Wabash College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa there. He was then awarded Woodrow Wilson and Herbert Lehman fellowships to study medieval history at Cornell University, where he earned his Ph.D.
Professor Cook teaches courses in ancient and medieval history, the Renaissance and Reformation periods, and the Bible and Christian thought. Since 1983 Professor Cook has directed 11 Seminars for School Teachers for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
His books include Images of St. Francis of Assisi and Francis of Assisi: The Way of Poverty and Humility. Dr. Cook contributed to the Cambridge Companion to Giotto and edits and contributes to The Art of the Franciscan Order in Italy.
Among his many awards, Professor Cook has received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1992 the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education named him New York State’s Professor of the Year. In 2003 he received the first-ever CARA Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Medieval Studies from the Medieval Academy of America.
Professor Cook teaches courses in ancient and medieval history, the Renaissance and Reformation periods, and the Bible and Christian thought. Since 1983 Professor Cook has directed 11 Seminars for School Teachers for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
His books include Images of St. Francis of Assisi and Francis of Assisi: The Way of Poverty and Humility. Dr. Cook contributed to the Cambridge Companion to Giotto and edits and contributes to The Art of the Franciscan Order in Italy.
Among his many awards, Professor Cook has received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1992 the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education named him New York State’s Professor of the Year. In 2003 he received the first-ever CARA Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Medieval Studies from the Medieval Academy of America.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 8, 2021
1. Introduction-What Makes a Great Christian?
2. Paul and the First Christian Missionaries
3. The Early Martyrs
4. St. Antony, the First Monk
5. The Desert Fathers and Mothers
6. Augustine
7. St. Patrick and the Conversion of Ireland
8. St. Benedict and His Rule
9. Leo IX, Gregory VII, and Church Reform
10. Bernard of Clairvaux and Monastic Reform
11. Francis of Assisi
12. Clare of Assisi
13. Catherine of Siena
14. Bernardino of Siena
15. John Hus and the Hussites
16. Thomas More
17. Martin Luther
18. John Wesley and the Origins of Methodism
19. The Monks of Mount Athos
20. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maximilian Kolbe
21. Damien of Molokai and Teresa of Calcutta
22. From Slavery to Martin Luther King
23. Gustavo Gutierrez and Liberation Theology
24. Defining the Christian Life
2. Paul and the First Christian Missionaries
3. The Early Martyrs
4. St. Antony, the First Monk
5. The Desert Fathers and Mothers
6. Augustine
7. St. Patrick and the Conversion of Ireland
8. St. Benedict and His Rule
9. Leo IX, Gregory VII, and Church Reform
10. Bernard of Clairvaux and Monastic Reform
11. Francis of Assisi
12. Clare of Assisi
13. Catherine of Siena
14. Bernardino of Siena
15. John Hus and the Hussites
16. Thomas More
17. Martin Luther
18. John Wesley and the Origins of Methodism
19. The Monks of Mount Athos
20. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maximilian Kolbe
21. Damien of Molokai and Teresa of Calcutta
22. From Slavery to Martin Luther King
23. Gustavo Gutierrez and Liberation Theology
24. Defining the Christian Life
June 9, 2018
In twenty four short sessions, Professor William Cook gives brief introductions to a variety of Christians covering most of the centuries since Christ. I had heard of most of the men and women he discusses, but not all. Some of those introduced include St. Anthony, Catherine of Siena, John Hus, Martin Luther, and Gustavo Gutierrez.
Cook’s voice is powerful, a voice that keeps the listener’s attention. He tells the story of these men and women in a manner than makes his sessions interesting. After I listened to them, I started over again with my husband, so I’ve listened to all of them twice.
Cook’s voice is powerful, a voice that keeps the listener’s attention. He tells the story of these men and women in a manner than makes his sessions interesting. After I listened to them, I started over again with my husband, so I’ve listened to all of them twice.
June 15, 2022
A fascinating series of lectures which introduces us to a series of characters that take us through the history of the church. Although the teacher is a Catholic his approach is Ecumenical. It has whetted my appetite to learn more about some of the ones I’m less familiar with. His summary chapter about what makes a great Christian ties it together and both shows how these disparate characters can all be put into that category and gives pause for reflection on our own lives.
April 18, 2021
This is a great book for ecumenism as it extols Christians across all denominations. If you pause at some parts like MLK Jr put in a similar light as Mother Theresa then you might enjoy the last chapter where the author ties all the previous chapters together. I like the criterion of “great” in great Christians being loving greatly. I do love how there are so many different walks of life.
September 22, 2017
One of the best overview of Christians throughout history. The author offers portraits of many people evangelicals never hear much about. Francis, Benedict, Bernardino, and others. These were Catholics, and while legalistic at times, their lives present with examples of serving Christ.
January 20, 2024
I don't think any two people would agree on the same 24, but I liked his picks (Not many Catholics would pick Hus and Luther) and I learned some things. But the last chapter was the clincher- what do they all have in common? I won't ruin it for you.
December 25, 2022
Hyuk-yuk-yuk.
August 17, 2023
Short biographical stories about Christians from the first Christian missionaries up to current times.
April 10, 2009
Part I is a collection of biographies of some great Christians from NT times through Francis and Clare of Assisi. I enjoyed the most the biography of Benedict and Benedict's Rule, a flexible but firm rule for ordering a monastic community. As Dr. Cook explained, Benedict's Rule has insights and value for Christians of all ages. We are all in a spiritual sense soldiers, laborers, and on a journey to the Celestial City.
Part II is as engaging as Part I. It was especially interesting to learn about figures like Catherine of Siena and Bernardino of Siena, influential Christians that many Americans don't know about.
I thought the last lecture, "Defining the Christian Life," was one of the best. He traced the characteristics of the various great Christians he covered in the course. Here are the links that connect their lives:
1. They are all rooted in the Scriptures and thus looking and critiquing the world they live in from a scriptural perspective.
2. They live lives of humility. (Humility is not about being self-effacing. Rather, it's about knowing who we are in God's world, who God is, and our need for grace. From that knowledge, Christians walk in humility.)
3. Their lives are full of both contemplation and activity.
4. Finally, great Christians are great "lovers." Faith working itself out in acts of love is central to being a great Christian. Acc. to Romans 13, it's the fulfillment of the law.
Part II is as engaging as Part I. It was especially interesting to learn about figures like Catherine of Siena and Bernardino of Siena, influential Christians that many Americans don't know about.
I thought the last lecture, "Defining the Christian Life," was one of the best. He traced the characteristics of the various great Christians he covered in the course. Here are the links that connect their lives:
1. They are all rooted in the Scriptures and thus looking and critiquing the world they live in from a scriptural perspective.
2. They live lives of humility. (Humility is not about being self-effacing. Rather, it's about knowing who we are in God's world, who God is, and our need for grace. From that knowledge, Christians walk in humility.)
3. Their lives are full of both contemplation and activity.
4. Finally, great Christians are great "lovers." Faith working itself out in acts of love is central to being a great Christian. Acc. to Romans 13, it's the fulfillment of the law.
March 22, 2012
Great College course, slanted toward catholicism. The author makes the point that the greatest Christians are great lovers. Also that Christianity is a community religion. Loved all the side stories in the lecture.
March 24, 2013
Excellent
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews