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Ian J. Shaw is Associate International Director of the Langham Scholars Program and Honorary Fellow, School of Divinity, New College, University of Edinburgh. He is the author of Churches, Revolutions and Empires: 1789-1914; High Calvinists in Action: Calvinism and the City, William Gadsby and The toon meer Greatest is Charity. toon minder

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Werken van Ian J. Shaw

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As the author suggests, I am one of those folks who knew of William Gadsby only from his 1814 hymnal compilation. This short biography fills in the facts of the life of the man behind the hymnal -- and an interesting and praiseworthy man he was! An uneducated handloom weaver in pre-industrial England, Gadsby became a prominent early 19th century Baptist clergyman. I was especially impressed by accounts of his preaching -- interlaced as it was (to the complaint of many) with bits of humor -- and by the marvelous way he balanced the claims of the Gospel with the social tensions industrialization and the aftereffects of the French Revolution were creating in England at the time. However political he may have been at times, Gadsby was always governed first and foremost by the Gospel he preached (although, as a strict Calvinist, he did not invite his hearers to accept Christ, considering this a gift from the Holy Spirit) and his pastoral concerns. He also never forgot his humble roots. -- This slim volume brings Gadsby to life as the inspirational figure he appeared to his contemporaries -- and a much-needed exemplar of Christian living for our own times as well.… (meer)
 
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David_of_PA | 1 andere bespreking | Jul 14, 2018 |
The period stretching from 1789-1914 was a time when the church wrestled with some cataclysmic shifts in society. The American revolution forever tied the idea to freedom to our understanding of the gospel. In France, their revolution undermined the sociocultural status of the church and her institutions. Industrialization in Britain paved the way for a new kind of society which favored (for the first time) the individual, human rights. And the gospel spread among the nations, although sometimes in ways which were influenced by western imperialism (and sometimes challenged it).

Ian Shaw has written an interesting look at the history of this period. He discusses in-depth each of these trends, but also addresses the challenges to the Christian message posed by slavery, new theologies (particularly from Germany), Darwinism and the ways in which the emerging scientific worldview challenged the authority of Scripture, the challenge of new social and political realities. Many of the trends which Shaw discusses here still shape our shared Christian understanding in the West. He does a masterful job of bringing together historical research in a way that is engaging and informative. He draws on a range of resources (names like Noll, Gustaud, Walls, Stout Bebbington, etc. pepper the notes and bibliographies). Each chapter ends with suggested reading for those who would like to delve deeper into the topics.

While this covers about 125 years of history, Shaw presents a global perspective. It is not focused on one nation or topic, but ranges from mission, politics, Christianity in new nation states, theological and moral challenges, philosophies and social institutions (i.e. slavery, feminism, colonialism). Such a ‘birds-eye-view’ is helpful for seeing the larger societal trends, though readers with a particular interest may want to follow Shaw’s suggested readings to delve deeper into particular topics for themselves

I confess that I am a history lover and so am predisposed to love this book (which I do). But this is a significant era for us to understand as the institutions which have come into being since the American Revolution, have shaped our world and our theological discourse. Shaw is judicious in his historical judgments and writes in an accessible way. Thus I would recommend this book to any thoughtful Christian who would like to understand how to engage the culture we live in. And of course theological students would find this a helpful resource for research.

Thank you to Christian Focus Publishing and Cross Focused Reviews for a copy of this book in exchange for this review.
… (meer)
 
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Jamichuk | 1 andere bespreking | May 22, 2017 |
1789 to 1914 was a time of momentous and often violent change religiously, socially, politically and economically in the western world. The revolutions in the churches and the powerful empires of the day were to have a profound effect upon society at large both then and in the years that followed. In this detailed yet fascinating study, Ian Shaw gives context and understanding to this legacy which has been passed on from that era by providing an expert analysis of the period with a focus on the key leaders, influences and issues.… (meer)
 
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Paul_Brunning | 1 andere bespreking | Apr 26, 2016 |
This book about the 19th century preacher and philanthropist Andrew Reed The Greatest is Charity by Ian J Shaw came out about five years ago. It really is a great book. This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, Calvinist Reed was not only a very successful pastor and preacher in London's east end but also the founder of several significant charities that were such a great help to orphans and others in great need. Nevertheless, his name has been rather forgotten. In this book Ian Shaw has out together a very well researched, judicious and interestingly written book that covers all aspects of Reed's life - his background and birth in 1748, ministry in Stepney including the building of Wycliffe Chapel, the beginnings of his charity work, his trip to the USA in 1833, his family life and friendships, his political involvement and various controversies including his partly unwise novel, the revival he saw in 1839, the restarting of his charity work when badly let down, his mixed involvement in the promotion of overseas mission, his old age and death in 1862 and something of what has happened since. Much has changed since Reed's day and even then one wonders whether one would have taken the approach he did - very establishment oriented, with great respect for royalty and for Anglicans who sadly let him down in the end. What a man though. There were giants in the land in those days and Andrew Reed was one of them. A 430 page hardback this book was published by Evangelical Press. The foreword is by Brian Edwards.… (meer)
 
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GaryBrady | May 8, 2010 |

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10
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204
Populariteit
#108,207
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4.1
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16
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