Tim DowleyKirja-arvosteluja

Een korte en goede levensbeschrijving. Verder vind je er een oeuvrecatalogus, bibliografie, een chronologisch overzicht en een personenregister in. Dit maakt deze boekjes toch erg compleet.

Biblia je plná ciest. Abrahámova cesta, plná príbehov, z Uru do zeme Kanaán. Cesta Hebrejov z egyptského otroctva do Prisľúbenej Zeme. Mimoriadne misijné cesty sv. Pavla.
Čo teda bola Mezopotámia? Kde Mojžiš prešiel cez Červené more? Prečo bolo tak veľa vojen v každej časti Palestíny? Kde bola Golgota - Lebečné miesto? Kde sa potopila loď, na ktorej sa Pavol plavil do Ríma?
Na všetky tie otázky odpovedá tento atlas, ktorý svojimi prehľadnými a farebnými mapami poskytuje užitočnú pomoc v porozumení biblického textu.
Súčasťou atlasu je index.

The Atlas of Christian History is only incidentally about theology. Rather, it is a story of power, influence and survival. It tells of how the tale of how the Christian religion(s) survived their challenges and spread around the globe, capturing the affections of billions of believers. We do not expect that the text to accompany an atlas should be detailed, but it still manages to provide a sound basis for interpreting the maps. Of course, history is more fun with maps - they can show where people life, and how apostles and missionaries over the ages needed to travel to spread the word.

One caution, we know that a picture is worth a thousand words - or rather can show thousands of details. In the modern era we can be confident that each detail is plotted exactly, but ancient and medieval records are far from complete. Even with the best research, the maps should be seen as providing an impression of what was happening rather than the precise detail

本地图集以生动文字、精确图解，加上电脑绘制的地图，展现圣经时代及教会历史的重大事件，让读者清楚理解当时的历史发展，及其与圣经和教会的关系。本书并增订了中国教会历史专辑。全书彩色印刷、共160幅地图及近百幅说明图片。

目录：

巴勒斯坦的地理概況
巴勒斯坦的氣候、農業與經濟

一、舊約時代
肥沃月彎
亞伯拉罕的旅程
在迦南地的亞伯拉罕
列祖
邁向應許之地
攻佔迦南
以色列人定居迦南地
非力士人之地
士師
掃羅王國
掃羅之死
大衛的王國
所羅門的王國
耶路撒冷
米吉多
所羅門的聖殿
王國的分裂
先知
耶羅波安二世與烏西雅
亞述帝國
提革拉．毘列色三世
以色列的敗亡
西拿基立
巴比倫帝國
猶太的敗亡
被擄走的歲月
被擄歸回
亞歷山大大帝
馬加比叛變
巴勒斯坦的經濟概況

二、新約時代
羅馬帝國
昆蘭
基督時代的巴勒斯坦
耶穌的童年
耶穌時代的加利利
耶穌在加利利的事工
耶穌時代的耶路撒冷
基督時代的猶太教
耶穌的復活
保羅之前的基督教
保羅的大馬色之旅
保羅的宣教旅程
小亞細亞的教會
第一之猶太人叛亂
馬薩他的陷落

三、初期教會
至公元１００年基督教的擴展
至公元３００年基督教的擴展
教父的黃金時代
北非的羅馬教會
古羅馬城的基督徒
第六世紀的西方教會
蠻族入侵
猶斯丁年統治的帝國
宗主教制
伊斯蘭教的誕生
直至７５０年的伊斯蘭教
查理曼帝國
愛爾蘭及盎格魯．撒克遜的的宣教事工
羅馬在西歐的宣教事工
東正教會的宣教事工
基督教傳入俄羅斯
修道院的改革
十字軍
東西方教會的分裂
教會與教育
哥德式大教堂
異端與持異議者
拜占庭帝國的覆亡
方濟會
道明會
重奪西班牙
中世紀歐洲的猶太人
大分裂
猶太人被逐出西班牙
胡司派信徒

四、現代教會
新航道窆發現
歐洲的宗教改革
天主教的傳統活動
天主教的改革活動
德意志的新教
法國的新教
荷蘭的新教
敬虔主義與福音覺醒
北美洲的基督教
在中國的宣教事工
在大洋洲的宣教事工
在亞洲的宣教事工
澳大利亞和新西蘭的基督教
往非洲宣教
散君各地的猶太人
五旬宗運動的與起
教會合一運動
世界各地的聖經公會
二十世紀的北美教會
非洲的基督教
非洲的獨立教會
新教在拉丁美洲的宣教事工
拉丁美洲的基督教
東歐的基督教
世界主要宗教的分佈（約１９９０年）
亞洲的基督教

五、中國教會歷史部分
傳說
唐朝景教
元朝也里可溫教
明代天主教的傳播
清初的禮儀之爭與禁教
東正教會傳入中國
早期新教在華的傳教工作
十九世紀中葉以後的傳教工作
太平天國
教案與義和團
中國教會的慈惠及教育事業
聖經翻譯與流傳
中國教會發展的黃金時期
本色化的傳教策略
二十年代的非基督教運動
三十年代的復興運動
少數民族福音工作
烽煙戰亂下的中國教會
天主教會自清末以後的發展
當代中國教會

內文索引
地圖中文索引
英文地名對照

English

The Bible is full of journeys. But where did they take place?
Where was Golgotha? etc.

160 maps, 50 photos

The tripartite construction of ancient Christian Churches (Narthex, Nave, Sanctuary) finds its Old-Testament parallel in the tripartite construction of the ancient Israelite Tabernacle in the wilderness and the Solomonic Temple with their courtyard, Holy Place, and Most Holy Place, or "Holy of Holies." The rites and rituals of the New Covenant are prefigured in the liturgical worship revealed to Moses in the illuminating darkness of Mount Sinai. These prefigurements were then expanded upon in Solomon's Temple based on the plans given by the Holy Spirit to Solomon's father, King David. In all these things Christ is revealed, especially to those who stand looking at them from the vantage point of the Orthodox Church. The Holy Temple built by King Solomon provides mystical illustrations of Christ and His Holy Virgin Mother. Important to any understanding of Christian Worship is the acknowledgement and recognition of Christ hidden in the pages of the Old Testament and in Old Covenant rites and rituals. What better place to start a study of worship than in God's revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai? Moses was to make everything according to the pattern shown him on the Mount. This pattern is the pattern of Heavenly Worship, also desribed in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Holy Apostle and Theologian John on the Isle of Patmos.

Encyclopedia

A new atlas of Christian history has been needed for many years. Now, Fortress Press is pleased to offer the Atlas of Christian History from acclaimed author and editor Tim Dowley.

The Atlas of Christian History is built new from the ground up. Featuring more than fifty new maps, graphics, and timelines, the atlas is a necessary companion to any study of Christian history. Concise, helpful text, written by acknowledged authorities, guide the experience and interpret the visuals. Consciously written for students at any level, the volume is perfect for independent students, as well as those in structured courses.

The atlas is broken into five primary parts that correspond well to most major introductions to the topic. The final section on the modern era pays significant attention to the growth of Christianity as a global religion. Extensive maps are provided that illuminate Christianity in Asian, African, and Latin American contexts.

I liked this better than the Rand McNally Bible Atlas.

More respectful of the Bible as the word of God

Would You Like to Know? Collection
By Tim Dowley and Graham Jefferson
I really like small book collections for children. There’s just something special about them. This one I found extraordinary. This group includes 6 books:
Would you like to know about God?
Would you like to know Jesus?
Would you like to know the Bible?
Would you like to know how to Pray?
Would you like to know the story of Christmas?
Would you like to know the story of Easter?
This collection covers the basic doctrinal foundations of Christianity. It is hard to express how impressed I was with how the authors very simply and clearly stated the most important truths. In the books about prayer and the Bible, they did a beautiful job of introducing how to apply and practice spiritual disciplines. All were written where a child could easily understand the concepts. The illustrations are colorful and not busy. Through them a little one could understand what was written even more plainly.
Each book is just the size for little hands, sturdy, and printed on glossy paper. The come in nice strong slip cover.
I only found one item concerning. In the book Would you like to know Jesus, the plan of salvation is shared. That was fine. It was the way the prayer to accept Christ was presented. This is a serious step and must be fully understood. I felt the idea was conveyed that you just pray a prayer and you are saved. This is misleading, as they need to know why they are praying this prayer. Children are easily led and must be dealt with delicately in this area.
Other than that I found the books to be exceptional in every way. These would make a great gift.
I was provided a review copy of this book set by Kregel Publications, with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Superb text. Great pictures. Wonderful collection that introduces the young child to the concepts of God, Jesus, the Bible, Prayer, and the two main events of the Bible - Christ's Birth and the Story of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of the Savior.

Each little book is complete in itself and literally asks the child "Would you like to know...." and then beautifully tells the child about the main subject of that particular book. I like that you can build with each book on the concept of God, His Word, and His plan of Salvation. The child is frequently encouraged to pray and deep respect for God is inherent in the books.

A great addition to the book collections of young children. I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy from Kregel on behalf of the author and publisher, Candle Books an imprint of Lion Hudson.

Would You Like To Know Collection is perfect for every parent or grandparent to have in their home, and share with their little ones, ages 3 to 5, and just right for their little hands.
Loved that it comes in a hard cardboard container to store the six little books in, and the books are made of sturdy paper, so the little guy can hold it himself, and mine sure did. The pages are filled with what we want our children to know about our Christian faith, and made so they look at the colorful pictures that draw them in.
These little books are beautifully illustrated and draw your little ones in for a perfect message for them, just a few short pages in each topic, with the messages you will want for them. A must for each parent and grandparent to share their faith with those that are important to them.
I received this Collection from Kregel Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Tim Dowley is a church historian who has written biographies of J.S. Bach and Robert Schumann. Christian Music is an historical survey of everything musical in Christian worship from David’s harp to 21st Century praise music. It covers contemporary Christian music on every continent, including Australian and the Pacific, and every style of music from choral to hymns to instrumental.

It was good to be reminded of the rise of Christian rock and the banning of early practitioners like Larry Norman, 1970s pioneer of “Jesus Music”, and to see its place in the development from Gospel to praise music.

The strength of this book is its breadth, and the clarity with which such a wide range of music is described. It is beautifully and generously illustrated adding a further dimension of understanding: depictions of early instruments with comments on their accuracy are a great aid to understanding a little more of the type of music of each period. A few screenshots show the development of musical notation and its impact on composition without drowning the reader in technical description, and sensitive portraits make the viewer ponder the sensibility of individual composers.

Seven specialist contributors take the reader to places where Dr Dowley was not so familiar: Dr Mark Evans is the guide for Australia and the Pacific, Lisbon-based Orthodox priest the Reverend Dr Ivan Moody explores Orthodox music.

Of course, breadth leads to mistakes of over-simplification. Gustav Mahler, for example, whose music has a complex and intentional Christian dimension, is dismissed in a sentence: “Gustav Mahler, a convert to Catholicism, confessed he could not compose a mass because he could not affirm the Credo.” (p.165). In contrast the sceptic Verdi and the Jewish Mendelssohn rightly receive one page and three pages respectively for their efforts in writing music around Christian themes (p.162, pp.159-161).

To produce a book like this, charmingly presented, wide-ranging and clearly written, of course involves many choices about inclusions. It is too easy to nit-pick on the basis of what has been left out. What has been left in covers a huge range of material placed in a narrative which reveals the dynamism, inventiveness and beauty of music inspired by Christian faith and used in Christian worship.

It will remain on my shelf as a reference and a companion to treasure.

Beautifully illustrated! If one can overlook its subtle Fundamentalist bias, it is useful for Sunday School, etc.

Quick survey of the history of Christianity with pretty pictures.

It does have a glance at Eastern Orthodoxy but basically follows the standard model of early Christians > medieval Catholicism > Reformation > European and American Protestantism > modern churches. Not much about negative influences of Christianity.½

'Splendidly illustrated and accurate guide to Bible life and times for every home' (Christianity Today)

NCLA Review: Tim Dowley has his Ph.D. in Church History and has used his expertise to write several books pertaining to church history for both adults and children. THE LIFE OF JESUS is constructed of heavy grade fold out pages with illustrations of what life was like in Jesus’ time. It depicts special events that occurred during his lifetime accompanied by informative narrative and many thought provoking questions which encourages the reader to take a closer look. Dowley also includes recommended Bible passages for further reading. This is an entertaining way to learn more about Jesus’ life by actually seeing bird’s eye illustrations of the events described. Shown is Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, His birthplace, Bethlehem, Capernaum and Jerusalem. Ages 6-9. Rating: 3 —MMW

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1873337.html

It's an assembly of short and very short essays, aimed at evangelical Anglicans in the UK, originally published in 1977 and revised in 1990. The one thing I really did learn from it was the Great Awakening of the eighteenth century, which I now realise was a hugely important step towards American independence in religious culture, leading to the political reality. But there was a lot that set my teeth on edge: the irritating point-scoring about which denominations performed well against Fascism, the total complacency about missionary activity. Apparently the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel was founded in 1701 by "devout Anglican clergymen, shocked at the prevalence of Presbyterianism and vice in the American colonies." Well, as a lapsed Papist, I don't have a dog in that fight. An amusing misprint has the pre-Reformation Church troubled by "sexual immortality", that extra letter converting the description from cliché to erotic surrealism. The closing chapters touch rather superficially on the ordination of women. Homosexuality is not mentioned at all.½

Eerdman's Handbook presents a comprehensive, colorful, reliable account of the exciting story of Christianity. This book has opened up the Bible in a new way for many people. The eight major sections introduce the history of Christianity, period-by-period, from its earliest days to the late twentieth century. The Handbook opens up the dramatic events which have helped make the Christian faith what it is today.

Čtivý, ale až příliš stručný text½

In terms of telling the Christmas story, one of my favorite books is a small picture book that my son received for his first Christmas: My First Story of Christmas by Tim Dowley. The illustrations are simple but fun, reverent but childlike. It ends with this reminder:

We give each other presents, just as the wise men gave presents to Jesus. And just as God sent Jesus as the best gift of all.

The strength of this book are the topical chapters, colorful pictures, diagrams, maps, and so forth. History comes to life on these 600+ colorful pages. It is only meant as an introduction, and in that sense, it succeeds. With multiple authors, some topics are repeated, but that is helpful in an introductory textbook. If hoping for more details, you might be disappointed, since some figures only receive brief mention. Overall, it is a perfect companion to other Christian history books.

365 puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dot, spot the difference, put in the correct order, find the mistake, etc. of Bible stories activities from the Old and New Testaments. Tons of fun for the kids!