The Church from Age to Age: A History from Galilee to Global Christianity (Paperback) - Common

by Edward A. Engelbrecht

This book gives a basic overview and summary of political, social, and economic factors that contributed to the development of the Christian Church examining key historic events in the life of the Church from the time of the apostles through today. The volume contains an extensive index, readings from primary sources, and further reading suggestions to provide the reader tools for additional study.

Genres: Church History, History, Theology, Reference

976 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2011

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid history text; my only disappointment is with the maps used, which could have been much better. Lots to read and think about, anyway!

[Jussi Halonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parasta, mitä oon lukenut moneen vuoteen. 6/5!

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a major tome, one that took awhile to finish. The easiest sections to read where the first two and the last, but this is not to say that the other sections where dry. I was especially shocked to be entertained by the Reformation sections (which usually strike me as rather dry). The book moves one through the major shifts in human thought: 1. the early church period (i. the founding of Christianity and the early persecutions/spread, and the odd marriage of political Rome and Christianity), 2. the Middle Ages (including the rise of feudalism, kings and monasticism as well as fractures between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox; and the rise of Scholasticism), 3. The renaissance and reformation (Lutheran, Radical anabaptist, Calvanistic, and Catholic), 4. the Enlightenment (including Pietism, Romanticism, and Enlightenment), and, 5. Modern era after the World Wars.

It was very striking to me, as I read through this work, that religious violence is a very nuanced sort of thing: political leaders or kings may be Christian in name only, Christianity could be used politically (e.g. Kings, Rome), Atheist states and movements (e.g. French Revolution, rise of Socialism in China and Soviet Union, the fascists) killed millions, Christians hunted witches and engaged in crusades, etc. But one thin I don't think one can argue at the end of this book: the founder of Christianity, despite his hard sayings, lead a life worthy of emulation and peace, to the point of dying on a cross without defending himself; a founder that's hard sayings lead to the establishment of schools, hospitals, the concept of mercy and personhood in the pagan Rome. A great work.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to be starting this one! It was a birthday gift from my sister (Leslie), brother-in-law (Patrick), nieces (Melanie, Audrey, Erica), and nephew (Aaron). I just have not tackled it earlier, it looks like an intimidating book!

And, indeed, IT IS HUGE!

[Stanley Bartkus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our discussion group has finished this one: abou 50 pages once a month. Took awhile, it's thick. I'm 72 and been a lifelong Lutheran, this had details I didn't know before, not just about one one religion but many others as well.

[Jeremiah Gumm · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of this book over @ The Shepherd's Study...

http://www.wlsce.net/content/review-c...

[Paulson Pulikottil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short review of this book can be found at http://academia.co.in/reviews/?p=111