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A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story Audiobook
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(3.04) - 225 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
For too long, the history of Christianity has been told as the triumph of orthodox doctrine imposed through power and hierarchy. In A People's History of Christianity, historian and religion expert Diana Butler Bass reveals an alternate history that includes a deep social ethic and far-reaching inclusivity: ""the other side of the story"" is not a modern phenomenon, but has always been practiced within the church. Butler Bass persuasively argues that corrective—even subversive—beliefs and practices have always been hallmarks of Christianity and are necessary to nourish communities of faith.
In the same spirit as Howard Zinn's groundbreaking work The People's History of the United States, Butler Bass's A People's History of Christianity brings to life the movements, personalities, and spiritual disciplines that have always informed and ignited Christian worship and social activism.
A People's History of Christianity authenticates the vital, emerging Christian movements of our time, providing the historical evidence that celebrates these movements as thoroughly Christian and faithful to the mission and message of Jesus.
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"I was between giving this 4 stars or 5 stars and ended up going for 5 based on how much I highlighted and how many things I wish everyone knew about Christianity. I found her to be fairly accessible, regardless of one's personal belief system, and very straightforward. I highly recommend this book to anyone who thinks the militant "Big C" Christianity (as she calls it) is the only form of Christianity that exists, as well as to anyone who wonders how Christians in the first few centuries after Jesus understood their faith down to 1945-today. This is a great book and I hope you'll read it."
— Caitlin (5 out of 5 stars)
A People's History of Christianity Listener Reviews
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" This book is an answer to the question "Why would I ever want to be a Christian when the Christian Religion is responsible for such horrific and tragic events throughout history?". Diana (a history prof) concedes the horrific events, but notes that History is the story of the rich, powerful and successful. Christianity shines among the least, the last and the lost in society, and their stories are rarely ever told. This book brings to light the stories of Christian service, love, and selfless sacrifice by Christians from the first century until now. Some of the people and stories I knew of, but most were unknown to me. What a delight to see history this way - through the eyes of the common folk. "
— Dave, 1/3/2014 -
" Stunning. Challenging. Provcative. I've used this book as the text for my adult Sunday school class for the last 5 months. Great dialogue. "
— Dad, 12/19/2013 -
" It's formatted to look like "A People's History of The United States" but it is not the same writing style or quality. It is, nonetheless, insightful and gently written, and I enjoyed it in a passing way. "
— Tyler, 12/5/2013 -
" someone else should try to tell that story. as it is, i found this disappointingly cliche-ridden, drab, and lifeless. "
— Tara, 3/29/2013 -
" Following the history of "Great Commandment" Christianity (as opposed to "Big C" Christianity), Basss offers a window into a Christianity that has made, is making, and will continue to make a positive difference in the world. "
— Rod, 2/1/2012 -
" I was a little disappointed. I suppose I was hoping for something less personal. "
— Mary, 12/19/2011 -
" This is a very well written, well researched book on the history of Christianity. Very insightful to the people and the church, past and present. "
— Amy, 9/20/2011 -
" In a day when Christianity seems to be appropriated by the religious right, Bass gives us a history of other, non-dominant, now-all-but-silenced voices that speak up for pacifism, social justice, radical love, and, yes, communism, etc. "
— Keith, 7/29/2011 -
" awesome book. a must read for anyone, even atheists to understand the history of christianity as it has been lived, not how it has been used for conquest and rule. "
— Chuck, 4/10/2011 -
" Very interesting look at some more obscure and inspirational stories of the history of Christianity. Filled with anecdotes from Ms Bass's own life, it's not dry at all. So far as history books go, this is one of the more enthralling ones I've read. "
— Kat, 1/29/2011 -
" This is a good corrective to narrow views of Christian History. "
— Nancy, 10/15/2010 -
" I was a little disappointed. I suppose I was hoping for something less personal. "
— Mary, 9/6/2010 -
" Very interesting look at some more obscure and inspirational stories of the history of Christianity. Filled with anecdotes from Ms Bass's own life, it's not dry at all. So far as history books go, this is one of the more enthralling ones I've read. "
— Hawktail, 6/28/2010 -
" someone else should try to tell that story. as it is, i found this disappointingly cliche-ridden, drab, and lifeless. "
— Tara, 1/20/2010 -
" Stunning. Challenging. Provcative. I've used this book as the text for my adult Sunday school class for the last 5 months. Great dialogue. "
— Dad, 6/21/2009
About Diana Butler Bass
Diana Butler Bass is the author of numerous books on American religion, including Christianity after Religion, Christianity for the Rest of Us, and A People’s History of Christianity. She holds a PhD in religious studies from Duke University, has taught at the college and graduate level, and is an independent scholar. She was a columnist for the New York Times Syndicate and blogs for the Huffington Post and the Washington Post on issues of religion, spirituality, and culture. She is a popular speaker at conferences, colleges, universities, and churches across North America. Her website is DianaButlerBass.com and she can be followed on Twitter at @dianabutlerbass.
About Karen Saltus
Karen Saltus has narrated television and radio commercials, audiobooks, textbooks, multimedia, film, and voice prompts for interactive telephone applications. She began her career thirty years ago at a radio station in Portland, Maine. She later became a creative director for a station in Massachussetts. In 1994 she became a full-time freelance voice-over talent.