The Road from Eden: Studies in Christianity and Culture [Paperback]

John Barber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2009

This is a major research study of the effect of Reform Theology on European and American visual and material cultures. It offers an analysis of Christianity and culture that builds on the scholarship of Arnold Toynbee and Francis Schaeffer and utilizes the careful analytical tools of the Dutch scholars Vollenhoven, Dooyeward and others. Barber s audacious scholarship aims to put Reform Christianity in the center of change and interpretation in a way similar to the great Catholic and Orthodox cultural historians. Barber discusses the Biblical centered energies that clarify, justify and interpret the culture of Western Civilization. Barber has mastered and/or referenced a huge amount of literature. His book is a great resource...his arguments careful, cogent and revealing. I hope his argument has a great deal of influence of the church...it is like a mighty force for reformation, revival and cultural renewal. There has never been anything like it (as a single volume) in Reform literature. Recommended. John Frame, Professor of Philosophy and Systematic Theology Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando,FL.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Barber has mastered and/or referenced a huge amount of literature. His book is a great resource...his arguments careful, cogent and revealing. I hope his argument has a great deal of influence of the church...it is like a mighty force for reformation, revival and cultural renewal. There has never been anything like it (as a single volume) in Reform literature. Recommended. John Frame, Professor of Philosophy and Systematic Theology Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando,FL. --Review,Professor John Frame --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 587 pages
• Publisher: Academica Pr Llc (April 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933146710
• ISBN-13: 978-1933146713
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,305,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical, Readable, and Reflective, April 2, 2008

By 

Joe (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Road from Eden: Studies in Christianity and Culture (Hardcover)

This book is excellent. Whether one is interested in history or culture this book is destined to be a classic in both areas. Well written and very readable. Barber works out in interesting historical detail what the cultural mandate looks like - past, present, and future. As Barber says,

The Cultural Mandate is the church's directive to affect every area of life for King Jesus. Man's original stewardship of the earth developed beyond his humble agrarian beginnings to use all the earth's resources as a means to advance worldwide civilizations. Consequently, the work of the Cultural Mandate is an all-inclusive concept that extends to every sphere of life where man's mind and hands are employed to control and utilize the processes of nature for the good of all. The Church must see in this command its role in shaping every area of life according to God's will - including politics, the fine arts, science, law, medical ethics, and more.