Protestant standards they held dear. Protestant values were now competing against more ad stronger forces in the public sphere” (Noll 100). This change is most noticeable in the twentieth century as the landscape of America changes through the decades. Most important in this era is that the trace of Protestantism is still evident in new forms of Churches. The final chapter expresses that Protestantism cannot be described in general terms, since; there are a vast array of churches that fall into the category of Protestantism. These groups differ in various ways but still belong to the same body of Protestantism. Therefore, is Protestantism recognizable to its early founding? If not, is that a good or bad thing? The question that develops …show more content…
This is partly unavoidable but no doubt also reflective of their bias” (Curtis 6). The author limit the breath of subject matter, which limits the scope of the entire picture of Christian history. The singularity of this perspective unbeknownst to the non-academic reader therefore creates a bias in the individuals reading of Church history. Comparisons of Strengths and Weaknesses Noll’s Book The strength of Noll’s thematic approach in his book is that it captivates the reader. As one reads the book, it is not like trying to focus on any singular fact. Instead, the reader is invited to participate in the journey of the story. This stylistic approach serves well to keep the reader attention well beyond the moment f boredom. Another, strength of the author is in his conclusion. At the end of the book, the author is implying the question, where do we go from here. The author has tied the history of Protestantism thoroughly throughout his book and then the determining factor for shaping Protestantism future in America. Protestantism in America will be shaped by the balance on “reliance of Scripture and reliance on the self will” (Noll