John Henry Newman: A Very Brief History
Verbum Editions are fully connected to your library and Bible study tools.
Overview
Published to coincide with Newman’s Canonization by Pope Francis in October 2019, this concise introduction to the life and legacy of one of the most influential Christian thinkers of modern times is written by one of the world’s most influential and widely respected historians.
- Introduces the life and legacy of John Henry Newman
- Examines his impact and continuing influence
- Includes a chronology of his life and works
- Introduction: A prophet to two Churches
- Newman and the Fathers
- Faith and doubt
- Newman’s Catholicism
- Man of letters
- Legacy
Eamon Duffy is Emeritus Professor of Christian History at the University of Cambridge and a past president of Magdalene College. One of the world’s most influential and widely respected historians, his previous books include the bestselling The St... (Yale University Press, 1994), The Voices of Morebath (Yale University Press, 2001) Fires of Faith (Yale University Press, 2009) and Saints, Sacrilege and Sedition (Bloomsbury, 2012).
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
1/3/2023
I was keen to read this short book on Newman, as he was someone whom I knew a little about and wanted to know a bit more. I have read from both those who demonise him, and those who canonise him, and was hoping that this book may fill in some of those gaps - which it did. Admittedly any “brief history” is going to come across as having “bits left out” or as having “not enough depth/meat” - so it is not fair to criticise in that regard. Whilst I understand that Newman relates strongly with the Anglican and Catholic worlds of the 19th Century - the rest of us seem to be just lumped together as “Protestants”. I would’ve liked a little more on how Newman has been seen (and is seen) by Orthodox, Lutheran, etc. I also think you need to have a bit of an understanding of both 19th Century Anglicanism and 19th Century Catholicism. Whilst the author does fill in some bits, I found that I was reliant on what I had previously read on both movements. I was really impressed with the detailed “Further Reading”. This is often a criticism I have of “smaller books” but not for this one. It makes this a good book to spring off of if you wish to do a more thorough investigation of Newman - both the man and his thought. Plus it has nice index as well :) I do think the Author has endeavoured to provide a fair examination of Newman and his ideas - and thus it is a worthwhile read :)