With over twenty years in the classroom, Gail Ramshaw frames this new introduction to Christianity survey text around the basic questions students ask. Taking a broad social-scientific approach and integrating historical context, she anchors each chapter in phenomenological theory and teases out the answers to each chapters question by surveying the history, doctrine, practices, and convictions of Christianity.Written for students with little to no background in Christianity, the book contains student-friendly learning helps including chapter summaries, photos and charts, "I am a Christian" statements that illustrate the diversity of practice and belief, study questions, suggestions for further exploration in both books and film, a glossary, and an index. What is Christianity? is a great addition to any serious students collection of books about Christianity.
Gail Ramshaw is a scholar of liturgical language and professor of religion at La Salle University. She served on the Revised Common Lectionary design committee and on the Church's Year task force for the Renewing Worship project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Her many publications include Christian Worship, Treasures Old and New, Between Sundays, and God beyond Gender, all from Fortress Press.
"In a culture marked by increasing levels of biblical and religious illiteracy, Gail Ramshaw offers the thoughtful student a cogent, straightforward, and engaging introduction to the study of Christianity. What is Christianity?leads students into a clear-eyed examination of what binds and separates millions of Christians across the globe. The work of a distinguished author and gifted teacher, What is Christianity?bears the imprint of many years in the classroom with skeptical and inquisitive undergraduates - a gift to the thousands of us who teach university students week in and week out." Samuel Torvend Pacific Lutheran University "Gail Ramshaw has written a textbook that is both accessible for undergraduates and innovative in its presentation of Christianity. By using a variety of scholars to introduce each chapter with an 'outsider's' view, the book will appeal to the growing segment of 'nones' who populate the required religion courses at many Christian-affiliated universities and colleges. At the end of each chapter is a gold mine of suggested activities, readings, and assignments that new and veteran professors will welcome." Rhoda Schuler Concordia University "With lucid prose and with apt and arresting graphics, this text befriends the studious reader. Its organization for a comprehensive but comfortable semester, its opportunities for professorial creativity, and its erudition all together announce to the professor teaching an introductory course on Christian history - Choose me." Joseph Dougherty La Salle University
