The History of Christianity

by Jonathan Hill

Written in a lively, engaging style, this new "Lion Handbook" tells the story of how Christianity began and developed into the major world religion it is today. The book takes a global perspective and is fully illustrated in colour throughout. The main text of the book is written by Jonathan Hill, with articles by 50 international experts from the U.K, U.S, Italy, France, Africa, Belgium, Canada, the Congo, the Netherlands, Japan and Singapore. The book Christian beginnings; the Church Fathers; expansion to Africa and the Middle East; the Byzantine Empire; the Dark Ages; the High Middle Ages; the Reformation; Russia and the east; the new age of exploration to Africa, South and North America, India and the Far East from the 15th to 17th centuries; the Enlightenment; the age of Colonialism; and the modern world.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

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Reviews

[Melanie Rippon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough overview of the global history of Christianity, very readable & with a decent glossary of religious/historical/theological terms. Sets Christianity in context against world events and other religions, without ignoring or glossing over the darker aspects/events in the faith's history. Lavishly illustrated with maps showing the location/extent of various denominations etc. over time; also lots of articles highlighting various people/events/movements, together with plenty of quotes in the margins. Highly recommended.

My only criticism, and this has already been mentioned by another reviewer, is that the font is perhaps a little small (although still crisp/clear), and for the side articles & quotes is positively tiny....

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having formally studied church history through a Bible College some years ago, covering the period from New Testament times to The Reformation, I was keen to read something which covered the subsequent period to modern times. This fine book covers the whole lot, so proved both a refresher (with extras) and the extension I desired.

This is an eminently readable, if substantial, book. It presents a well put together narrative covering a remarkable number of nooks and crannies in 2000 years of history. Even in the inevitably fragmented modern and global history there is a good coherence to the story.

It is not, however, a "Christian-centric" history, as much of what I studied earlier was. It could easily have been written by Christians and/or non-Christians, and is neither focused on the supernatural nor stinting at describing some more unpleasant aspects of church history or non-orthodox ideas which have challenged and continue to challenge the church today.

I would recommend this to anyone wanting to develop an understanding of how the church has come to be where it is today, believing what it does - but if you are over 45 you might like to think about some reading glasses before tackling the sidebars when tired, which proved to be in a disturbingly small font for this reader, at least!

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for introductory study of Church history.

Pictures, maps and timelines make this an easy and yet thorough resource.

Hill, Jonathan. The New Lion Handbook: The History of Christianity. Oxford, England: Lion Hudson, 2007.