Lives Of Great Christians

by William R. Cook

High quality, university level teaching!

Course Lecture Titles (24 lectures, 30 minutes/lecture)

1. IntroductionWhat Makes a Great Christian?
2. Paul and the First Christian Missionaries
3. The Early Martyrs
4. St. Antony, the First Monk
5. The Desert Fathers and Mothers
6. Augustine
7. St. Patrick and the Conversion of Ireland
8. St. Benedict and His Rule
9. Leo IX, Gregory VII, and Church Reform
10. Bernard of Clairvaux and Monastic Reform
11. Francis of Assisi
12. Clare of Assisi
13. Catherine of Siena
14. Bernardino of Siena
15. John Hus and the Hussites
16. Thomas More
17. Martin Luther
18. John Wesley and the Origins of Methodism
19. The Monks of Mount Athos
20. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maximilian Kolbe
21. Damien of Molokai and Teresa of Calcutta
22. From Slavery to Martin Luther King
23. Gustavo Gutierrez and Liberation Theology
24. Defining the Christian Life

Genres: History, Audiobook, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Biography, Medieval

Audio CD

Published January 1, 2007

About the author

Dr. William R. Cook is the Distinguished Teaching Professor of History at the State University of New York at Geneseo, where he has taught since 1970. He earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude from Wabash College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa there. He was then awarded Woodrow Wilson and Herbert Lehman fellowships to study medieval history at Cornell University, where he earned his Ph.D.

Professor Cook teaches courses in ancient and medieval history, the Renaissance and Reformation periods, and the Bible and Christian thought. Since 1983 Professor Cook has directed 11 Seminars for School Teachers for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

His books include Images of St. Francis of Assisi and Francis of Assisi: The Way of Poverty and Humility. Dr. Cook contributed to the Cambridge Companion to Giotto and edits and contributes to The Art of the Franciscan Order in Italy.

Among his many awards, Professor Cook has received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1992 the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education named him New York State’s Professor of the Year. In 2003 he received the first-ever CARA Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Medieval Studies from the Medieval Academy of America.

Reviews

[Aaron Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Introduction-What Makes a Great Christian?

2. Paul and the First Christian Missionaries

3. The Early Martyrs

4. St. Antony, the First Monk

5. The Desert Fathers and Mothers

6. Augustine

7. St. Patrick and the Conversion of Ireland

8. St. Benedict and His Rule

9. Leo IX, Gregory VII, and Church Reform

10. Bernard of Clairvaux and Monastic Reform

11. Francis of Assisi

12. Clare of Assisi

13. Catherine of Siena

14. Bernardino of Siena

15. John Hus and the Hussites

16. Thomas More

17. Martin Luther

18. John Wesley and the Origins of Methodism

19. The Monks of Mount Athos

20. Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maximilian Kolbe

21. Damien of Molokai and Teresa of Calcutta

22. From Slavery to Martin Luther King

23. Gustavo Gutierrez and Liberation Theology

24. Defining the Christian Life

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In twenty four short sessions, Professor William Cook gives brief introductions to a variety of Christians covering most of the centuries since Christ. I had heard of most of the men and women he discusses, but not all. Some of those introduced include St. Anthony, Catherine of Siena, John Hus, Martin Luther, and Gustavo Gutierrez.

Cook’s voice is powerful, a voice that keeps the listener’s attention. He tells the story of these men and women in a manner than makes his sessions interesting. After I listened to them, I started over again with my husband, so I’ve listened to all of them twice.

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating series of lectures which introduces us to a series of characters that take us through the history of the church. Although the teacher is a Catholic his approach is Ecumenical. It has whetted my appetite to learn more about some of the ones I’m less familiar with. His summary chapter about what makes a great Christian ties it together and both shows how these disparate characters can all be put into that category and gives pause for reflection on our own lives.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for ecumenism as it extols Christians across all denominations. If you pause at some parts like MLK Jr put in a similar light as Mother Theresa then you might enjoy the last chapter where the author ties all the previous chapters together. I like the criterion of “great” in great Christians being loving greatly. I do love how there are so many different walks of life.

[Roger Feenstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best overview of Christians throughout history. The author offers portraits of many people evangelicals never hear much about. Francis, Benedict, Bernardino, and others. These were Catholics, and while legalistic at times, their lives present with examples of serving Christ.

[Mobill76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think any two people would agree on the same 24, but I liked his picks (Not many Catholics would pick Hus and Luther) and I learned some things. But the last chapter was the clincher- what do they all have in common? I won't ruin it for you.

[عدنان العبار · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hyuk-yuk-yuk.

[Enrico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short biographical stories about Christians from the first Christian missionaries up to current times.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part I is a collection of biographies of some great Christians from NT times through Francis and Clare of Assisi. I enjoyed the most the biography of Benedict and Benedict's Rule, a flexible but firm rule for ordering a monastic community. As Dr. Cook explained, Benedict's Rule has insights and value for Christians of all ages. We are all in a spiritual sense soldiers, laborers, and on a journey to the Celestial City.

Part II is as engaging as Part I. It was especially interesting to learn about figures like Catherine of Siena and Bernardino of Siena, influential Christians that many Americans don't know about.

I thought the last lecture, "Defining the Christian Life," was one of the best. He traced the characteristics of the various great Christians he covered in the course. Here are the links that connect their lives:

1. They are all rooted in the Scriptures and thus looking and critiquing the world they live in from a scriptural perspective.

2. They live lives of humility. (Humility is not about being self-effacing. Rather, it's about knowing who we are in God's world, who God is, and our need for grace. From that knowledge, Christians walk in humility.)

3. Their lives are full of both contemplation and activity.

4. Finally, great Christians are great "lovers." Faith working itself out in acts of love is central to being a great Christian. Acc. to Romans 13, it's the fulfillment of the law.

[Roger Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great College course, slanted toward catholicism. The author makes the point that the greatest Christians are great lovers. Also that Christianity is a community religion. Loved all the side stories in the lecture.

[Bill Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent