History Through the Eyes of Faith: Christian College Coalition Series

by Ronald A. Wells

Book Overview

Integrating faith with introductory Western history, this text provides a Christian perspective on the major epochs, issues, and events of Western Civilization. It details the role of the Greeks and Hebrews, Jesus in history, the Renaissance, and more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060692960
• ISBN13: 9780060692964
• Release Date: July 1989
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

An Important contribution

Prof. Wells has written a book that is a must reading for all Christian history teachers at every level of education and for all Christians who aspire to be informed. I note that the work is most beneficial for history teachers because, for the layperson, the historical references to Rousseau, Locke, Newton, and many others moves by very quickly, and it will probably be helpful if one already is familiar with these figures because a lot is not explained. This is a "no frills" work that brings us to the present historical situation or crisis (the term "crisis" is important to Prof. Wells, and I concur). He shows us that the secular-scientific-humanist world view that is dominant today is, indeed, a new religion that is in opposition to Christianity. The Christian person and the Christian worldview is at a disadvantage in this present historical crisis, but there is hope. Devotion to one's Christian faith can still produce wonderful accomplishments in one's personal activities as well as in the social and political realm. (He gives examples of five great people who have gone forth in the name of Jesus Christ to help a fallen world.) Still, our greatest hope for Prof. Wells is that the "City of Man" was, is, and always will be passing away as the tropism, so to speak, of Western Civilization is always towards "the City of God." The book is overwhelmingly satisfying, but I have given it four stars instead of five because, insofar as it is aimed to Christian readers as the author states, it could only have been strengthened by quotations from Scripture. Also, the writing might have been more carefully edited in sections. Nonetheless, again, I say to all educated Christians and especially to Christian history teachers: Read this book.

Review on the french translation

Putting together God and history is always difficult. I like this book very much for two reasons. 1) The introduction deals with method in history and which place you can give God in historical science. 2) The review of the history of Western civilization(s) is simply great. I don't quite agree with the author's perspective in the introduction, but it is one of the good contributions I have seen on the subject. Studying history of Reformation myself, I found the insights in the book very good and challenging. This book not the ultimate answer to the question God and history, but a good beginning. I'd recommend it to people who study history (whether Christian or not).