Christianity and Progress

Fosdick, Harry Emerson, 1878-1969Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.6

Word count: 282K words
Chapters: 29

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Christianity and Progress by Harry Emerson FosdickAuthor: Fosdick, Harry Emerson, 1878-1969,Language: English, Class: BR: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity, Release Date: Jul 19, 2007

Editor's review

This book is one of the representative works of the early twentieth-century American liberal theologian Fosdick, discussing the relationship between Christian faith and modern ideas of progress. The author does not see religion as an obstacle to progress but attempts to reinterpret the meaning of faith against the rise of science and social change, discussing how personal belief responds to the issues of the age. The book is short, written mainly in a sermon-like reasoned style, with clear views and an open attitude, making it suitable as an introduction to modern Christian liberal thought. Readers interested in the relationship between religion and modernity can see how early twentieth-century intellectuals sought balance between traditional faith and the narrative of progress. It is best read as a period document, understanding its debate targets and context, rather than as a systematic theology textbook.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in the relationship between religion and modernity
Students studying early twentieth-century Christian liberal thought
Religious enthusiasts who want to understand Fosdick's ideas
Readers who want to train their reading of intellectual texts through original English editions

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a systematic theology textbook or doctrinal manual
Readers seeking cutting-edge contemporary theological discussion
Those lacking basic English reading ability who are unwilling to use reference tools

Reading tips

Read the table of contents and introduction first to grasp the author's core questions and debate targets.
After each chapter, restate the argument in two or three sentences to check whether you have followed it.
When encountering religious terms, understand them from context first; do not interrupt reading to look up every word.
Read alongside background material on early twentieth-century society and science.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What English level does this book require?

The original is sermon-style argumentation in English, with long sentences but not overly obscure vocabulary. Readers at CET-4 level or above who are willing to use a dictionary can generally read it through; religious terms can often be inferred from context.

Is this book suitable as an introductory theology textbook?

Not very. It is closer to a liberal theologian's argumentative sermons addressed to the public than a textbook systematically introducing doctrine or theological method. For an introduction to theology, read introductory works first, then return to understand this book's position and period context.

Do I need to know the author's background before reading?

Not in detail, but knowing that the author was an early twentieth-century American liberal theologian helps explain why he sought to reconcile faith and progress. A few minutes on this background before reading can noticeably reduce difficulty.

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About the author

Fosdick, Harry Emerson, 1878-1969 Author

Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) was a prominent American liberal Christian minister and religious writer of the twentieth century. Two of his works are included in this collection: The Meaning of Faith and Christianity and Progress. Because public information is limited, the details of his life cannot be set out at length; yet these two books show that his writing centered on the basic content of Christian faith, the relationship between religion and modern thought, and questions of social progress. His style addresses general readers and emphasizes reasoned explanation and reflection rather than dense academic argument. His works carried a certain influence in the religious discussions of his time and are often used to explore how faith can remain meaningful in modern circumstances. On the whole, Fosdick's accessible yet serious writing offers readers a readable introduction to the relationship between Christian faith and changing times.