The Shape of the Past

by John Warwick Montgomery

Dr. Montgomery contends that no one can "sit in a house by the side of the road and watch the world go by." Everyone is caught up in the flux of human life, and there is no naturalistic resting resting place within human history from which one can gain a universal, absolute perspective on man's life. Christianity is the only answer to this basic human predicament, for it claims, and by the resurrection backs up its claim, that there is a God and that...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1606084496
• ISBN13: 9781606084496
• Release Date: February 2008
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
• Length: 398 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Historiography from a Christian Perspective

This book is designed to introduce students of history to the science of historiography. It is divided into two parts. The first part is a survey of historiographical schools of thought. The second part consists of technical essays addressing particular theorists.The text commences with a useful discussion of the many nuances to the term "history", and includes a fascinating excursus into the question of time travel. Greco-Roman, early Christian, Renaissance and Reformation views of history are all outlined. Then the rise of modern historiography is described up to the mid 20th century. From this standpoint Montgomery then proceeds to examine contemporary Christian views of history and seeks to ground ultimate meaning in history in a transcendent perspective. Montgomery defends his case by arguing from the resurrection of Jesus to His deity as the foundation for building a transcendent view. In the remainder of the book Montgomery interacts with various other schools of thought including William James, Marxism, and so forth. The book, although now in need of some updating, serves as a very good survey of the subject, and goads the reader to consider "ultimate" questions when reflecting on historical processes. It is suitable for all students of history at a tertiary level, and would be of interest to historians who wish to understand how Christians approach the subject. All in all a very engaging book.