The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch

By: Molly Worthen, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Molly Worthen

When you think about Christian history, you might think of the first thousand years - the events of Jesus' life, the acts of the apostles, the establishment of the church, and the various councils that established theological doctrine. But the history of Christianity from the Reformation to the present is equally dramatic and profoundly relevant. It's a story about people as much as theology - our cultures, our politics, our relationship to the world.

The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch picks up where The Great Courses' first history of Christianity left off: with the Protestant Reformation. Over 36 fascinating lectures, Professor Molly Worthen of the University of North Carolina traces the story of Christianity as it transformed from a relatively homogenous entity at the end of the Middle Ages through the diverse global religion of today.

While Professor Worthen gives you plenty of insight into theology, her primary focus is to place Christianity in its historical context. She personalizes history with stories of individual players and blends their narratives with larger trends give you the full history of momentous events, including the formation of myriad Protestant denominations, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment, the Cold War, and the spread of Christianity to Latin America, China, and South Korea.

As you'll discover, Christianity has been at the center of momentous transformations around the globe and is now the largest religion in the world. Professor Worthen is a marvelous storyteller, and brings history to life through the stories of people across history - scientists and theologians, revolutionaries and social justice warriors, commentators and ordinary people living out the great drama of Christian history. From Martin Luther's 95 Theses to Latin American liberation theology, this is a magisterial course, and a must-have for students.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 The Teaching Company, LLC; 2017 The Great Courses

Insightful, thorough, balanced, brisk, satisfying

Mesmerizing! 36 polished lectures, each about 30 min. The professor speaks in a clear, authoritative, yet friendly way. Delivery seems pitched to 3rd-yr or 4th-yr undergrads. Brisk pace, clear pronunciation, no jargon, collegiate academic vocabulary. Lovely even-toned voice with occasional midwest American nasal twang. Sweetly funny in places. Does not shy away from noting the hypocrisies and human foibles of great religious figures.

As a historian of religion, Molly Worthen deftly combines anthropology, sociology, political science, literature, psychology, climate science, and of course theology. All of these perspectives are utilized to show a wide view of Global Christianity since 1500 CE. Her style exemplifies the best of the discipline.

Topics include evangelical Christianity in the enslaved African populations, WCTU and women missionaries, how church doctrines evolved with political expedience, modern Social Gospel, a fascinating discussion of Mormonism, the mass insanity of the witch-burnings, Puritanism, origins of modern Pentecostalism, the British-American Great Awakenings, Calvin, Zwingli, Luther, and so much more. There is a satisying amount of inquiry into the Roman-rite, Greek-rite, and Slavic-rites Catholicisms. However after 18th cen, the presentation focuses more on American Protestantism.

This course is worth several listenings, very well prepared, and highly recommended!

Outstanding survey course

A comprehensive and entertaining survey, which works both on its own terms and as a jumping-off point for deeper reading on any of the dozens of subjects discussed in the course. Professor Worthen’s narration is warm and entertaining.

Excellent

Accept a view of the world.
I am a solid believer in Jesus Christ and the Bible, but I also believe that God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one.
I do not understand the Trinity, neither do I understand what happens to others that are not Christians.
The Bible says that there is One way. I have personally experienced medical solutions that I call miracles.
What I am called to is to tell people about Jesus Christ and Him arisen.
It is thankfully not my job to judge anyone else. I don’t want that job.
I just have to do my job. That is enough.
An excellent listen. THANK YOU

Clear, To The Point, and Succinct

This is one of the most interesting, instructive and instrumental books I have read on the subject of Christianity, of course this is my review, and each reader is going to have his or her own opinion, but, to me; it really gives an insight on the subject with great history and references.

Excellent survey

Recommended highly as a good survey of the place of Christianity in the modern world.

Christianity Around the World

A good review of Christianity around the world, in Latin America and the church support of dictators for their own gain, Africa and its fight against apartheid, Russia and China’s efforts to shut down religion, America and the Baptist revivals, and some on the reformation at the start.

History of Christianity

An amazing overview of ~500 years of Christianity from a most articulate and concise professor. Never once was the awful "But we don't have time for...." uttered! This story is a global tale, woven together with insight, connecting very many strands of Christianity over time. I have learned very much but also that no church denomination, break-away group or national church is known mainly through the centuries for its unrelenting demonstration of love. There is more to do!

An honest and fair overview of Christianity and its relationship to the world around it. Highly recommended.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a Christian and wants to understand how our faith has interacted with the rest of the world throughout history. I’d also recommend it to non-Christians who would like to know more about what Christianity has been over the years and what it might be in the future.

HEALTH & HARMONY

Excellent! Extremely informative and enlightening for such all encompassing subject matter. Kudos to Dr Worthen!

Awesome overview!

This was an awesome overview. Thanks for providing this material. I look forward to listening to more of your lectures.