Christianity

by Linda Woodhead

A candid and wide-ranging overview of the world's largest religion, Linda Woodhead distinguishes three main types of Christianity—Church, Biblical, and Mystical—examining their struggles with one another and with the wider society. Steering away from an idealistic approach, she considers Christianity's relations with worldly power and its attempts to achieve social, political, economic, and cultural dominance. Woodhead concludes by showing how those who had held the least power in Christianity—women and non-Europeans—have become increasingly central to its unfolding story.

Genres: Religion

211 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2010

About the author

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linda Woodhead MBE MA DD is Professor in the sociology of religion in the Department of Politics, Philosophy & Religion at Lancaster University. She is best known for her work on religious change since the 1980s, and for initiating public debates about faith. She has been described by Matthew Taylor, head of the Royal Society of Arts as ‘one of the world’s leading experts on religion.’

Reviews

[Brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice potted history of how the Christian Church has come about in the last two thousand years. I like how Woodhead explores this without any particular agenda, which is a refreshing take. It also briefly explores how Christianity had mystical elements at the beginning, which have been all but squashed by the organised church.

My only complaint is that I wish it was longer!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Looking at Christianity from the historical, spiritual and factual point of view. I wouldn't recommend this to beginners or those that don't know much about Christianity from the start. It's more in depth, has a lot of religious wording, and I did have a dictionary with me at all times while reading. However, I found it fun to learn this religious vocabulary. I'm a little saddened that I didn't learn much of this at Catholic schools, but reading this book helped me understand why.

I like Linda's own definitions, the linkage that she uses and the pictures are what make this read much easier. The pictures really break up what could have been a really difficult read. I don't believe that Linda puts her own feelings in unlike others.

I would recommend this book for those that want to understand the differences in Christianity. It's a big tree with many branches, Church Christianity, Bibical Christianity, Mystical, Orothodox, etc. Linda does well at explains these and much more.

[Jen]

Writer Linda Woodhead proves a splendid way of discussing Christianity as a religion of significance—but with a very non-bias approach—giving facts of the fundamentals of Christianity and providing vital inclusions from a tremendous history.


After finishing this book in little over a day (taking notes along the way) I immediately scooped up a bookoo of copies to be able to give to folks because of how incredibly informative it is. I certainly consider myself a Christian but I definitely did not have a root so deep until I reached the end of the 200 (5x7") pages of text and pictures. In just reading the contents page, I knew I'd be getting much more than a good gist! Seven chapters:
1 Jesus: The God-Man
2 The Signs and Symbols of Christianity
3 Church of Biblical Christianity
4 Mystical Christianity
5 Modern Christianity: The West
6 Christianity Beyond the West
7 A Woman's Religion?

[Kellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not an easy read. I probably should have started with something more basic than this. It details the history of Christianity from its inception to now. I feel that as I continue in the journey I will read this again and understand it better.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A broad and unbiased introduction to the history of Christianity, this easy-to-understand book reads like a great story that you can't put down!

[David Cavaco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick overview of Christianity. The writing was a tad droll, cold and uninspiring. The artwork featured within the pages is lovely.