A History of the Church in the Middle Ages

by F. Donald Logan

In this fascinating survey, F. Donald Logan introduces the reader to the Christian church, from the conversion of the Celtic and Germanic peoples through to the discovery of the New World. He reveals how the church unified the people of Western Europe as they worshipped with the same ceremonies and used Latin as the language of civilized communication. A History of the Church in the Middle Ages offers a unique perspective on the legacy and influence of the Christian church in Western culture. Never fixed or static, the church experienced remarkable periods of change between the sixth and sixteenth centuries. Saint Francis of Assisi, the gentle poverello of Umbria, the martyr Thomas Becket, the ill-fated lovers Abelard and Heloise, and the visionary Hildegard of Bingen, all testify to the diversity and richness of the medieval church.

Genres: History, Religion, Christianity, Medieval, Church History, Nonfiction, Christian

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Francis Donald Logan, American historian and educator. Recipient Fulbright scholar, London University, 1960-1962, Guggenheim fellow, 1969-1970. Fellow Royal History Society, Society Antiquaries.

Reviews

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introductory type survey of the church in the Middle Ages. It does exactly what a survey is supposed to do. It gives a broad depiction of the church through this time period covering both its institutional life (the popes) and the way it was practised at the common level. It also doesn't introduce any "revolutionary" ideas. Instead it pretty much sticks to the commonly accepted narrative of church history for this time. Personally, I would have preferred a bit less emphasis on the popes and a bit more on the theology of men like Anselm, Abelard, and Aquinas (or Bernard, Bonaventure, and Boetius). One thing I really enjoyed was the addition of a "for further reading" at the end of each chapter where he gives recommendations more in depth works on what he had just written about. I added quite a few new works to me "to read" list as a result.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never knew much about medieval history until I read this book. Logan presents the information in an easily accessible manner without sacrificing historical integrity. It’s definitely staying in my library & will be picked up again.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books delivers exactly what his author intended, a completely approachable and reasonably condensed history of the Catholic Church between 500 and 1500. Due to the large overlap between the events influencing the church and those influencing the kingdoms of western Europe, the book sometimes reads like a history of western Europe. However, this book would not substitute for an actual history of western Europe of the same period since crucial events such as the Hundred’s Year war receive only passing mention. Nonetheless, the histories of Italy, seat of the Church, and Spain, marked by the Muslim conquest and Christian Reconquista, are significantly explored. As expected, the main areas of focus were the missionary missions, the development of a strong papacy, the monastic movement, the recognized need for church reform and the many religious orders that influenced the calls for reform. Logan also reduced the attention given to some topics, such as the Crusades, in order to avoid diverging from the broader evolution of the church. While some other topics, such as the architecture of cathedrals, could have also merited a reduced attention, the book does move relatively quickly for a work covering 1,000 years of history.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a survey class of medieval theology and near the end of the course, one of my classmates said of this book, "It doesn't really bust the narrative much at all." That's fair enough. Logan's book offers a pretty traditional chronology and analysis of Church history, and there's certainly nothing here that's going to be earth-shattering for someone who has read a bit about medieval Christianity.

But regardless of that, I quite liked this work as a textbook. It's clear and approachable without being condescending, and it has a sense of life and personality to it that can be rare in surveys. Is it weird to find a a textbook charming?

There's also a nice variety of material. You certainly get a history of the popes, but there's also coverage of less institutional aspects of religious life. There's also an entire half chapter dedicated to medieval cathedrals, which made me very happy. Overall, it's a good quick overview of the subject. It would be a pretty useful text to use for a class, or if you're just somewhat interested in the subject.

[Joel Wentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent synthesis and commentary of a very complicated period in church history. The chapters are generally short and quite readable, though the material can get a bit dry and confusing at times (especially keeping track of the names of popes, cardinals, kings, etc.). I thought Logan did a fantastic job of offering balanced commentary when needed, and clarifying the difficulties in making historical judgments when appropriate. The sections on Islam, the notorious crusades, the discussion of the bubonic plague were all stand-outs, and the political maneuvering of the era was also well-captured. Each chapter also contains a thorough 'further reading' section.

I suspect that I appreciate this book so much, at least partly, because of my background - conservative, American, somewhat anti-Catholic, evangelical. Logan's narrative puts everything solidly into context, and is a remarkably helpful resource for people (like me) who have had little-to-no real education on this chapter of history. The rise of the institution and theology of the Catholic church, and especially the power of the papacy, makes a lot more sense (even if one still takes issue with those things) after reading Logan's work.

[Danyal Akhtar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive and well-written introductory account of the Latin Church's rise in the medieval period. I particularly liked how this was not just focused on the Papacy or politics, but looked at broader theological, social and cultural developments of the Church, such as cathedral architecture and the emergence of universities, attempting also to capture what the medieval experience with religion was like for the ordinary person, despite how difficult that can be due to the lack of certain sources. The author also includes accounts of other 'heresies' that the Church dealt with, ranging from the Nestorians to the Cathars, alongside the separation of the Western and Eastern Churches, the rise of Islam and Judaism within Europe. This is done in a way that seeks to empathise and understand all these differing groups without taking sides. Would definitely recommned to any beginner wanting to know more about the medieval Catholic Church.

[Ben Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent information through an unfortunately-convoluted writing style. Chapter 9: Three Twelfth-century Profiles (on Peter Abelard, Thomas Becket, and Hildegard or Bingen) was a brilliant exception and featured truly engaging storytelling. Without Chapter 9, I would have rated it 3 stars.

[Olivia Jones-Hatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great resource I’m sure I’ll use a lot!

[Nolan Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly informative with excellent analyses, but predictably dry at times.

[Shannon Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough, clear, and easy to read, Logan does pretty much everything I hoped he would do with this content. I have always deeply appreciated well-written history. This, paired with Donald Fairbairn's THE GLOBAL CHURCH: THE FIRST EIGHT CENTURIES, provides a much needed balanced understanding of the history of the church up through the 1400s. Highly recommended!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent overview of the Middle Ages, particularly concerning the role in which the church played in the period generally understood as the decline of Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire and the fragmentation of Western Europe, and its eventual emergence into the shape it would take in the early modern period. If you're already familiar with the history, as well as the theologians it covers, you might find it an exercise in ennui; but I think it would be an excellent textbook for a general course in Christian history.

One feature of the book is both a strength and a weakness, and that is the selection of individuals it discusses. Because it is an overview, none of the chapters are incredibly in-depth, though Logan gives an excellent list of suggested reading after each chapter. But if you are expecting a discussion on Aquinas, Duns Scottus, you're to be sorely disappointed. Logan will instead discuss some lesser-known individuals, such as Abelard, Hildegaard of Bingen, and Thomas Beckett, but it is more biographical than an elucidation of their theologies. In essence, this is a textbook on history, and discusses more on the role the church had in the public sphere. Thus there is much discussion on the role of popes vis-a-vis imperial powers, the formation of the university, etc.

In short, I wholeheartedly enjoyed reading it. Anyone interested in a great introduction to the Middle Ages, particularly as a foray into further studies, will benefit from it.

[Lukas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book! Easy to read and very thorough. Perfect for a survey course.

However, it tended to focus a lot of the negative aspects of that era. Which a lot of historians tend to do, as it is more entertaining.

It also was too focused on the British Isles and Wester Europe. With little to no focus on Central and Eastern Europe.
For example, Logan made the connection of an event that occurred in York in 1190 to the outcome of canons In an Ecumenical Council in Italy in 1215. (Granted he did mention historians may dispute the connection). But the point is it seems Logan is much more learned in the history of the British Isles that he reads that history into events of other parts of the church/continent.

The last chapter and epilogue however, were excellent. It ended on a positive note for sure.

[Scott Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good -- An intentionally swift tour through the period which leaves the reader with a good foundation for further study. His judgements are few and strong. Chapter 3 on Islam and chapter 7 on the eleventh century reforms and crusade stuck out for me as high points. In all, this book is helpfully concise introduction to the period with a great "Further Reading" section after each chapter.

[Russell Waites · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and important information- yes. Interesting read- at times, but not generally. Helpful in understanding the Church's history during this period. .

[wyclif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the Church in the medieval era. Deducted a star for being a little too dry and textbookish.