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The Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity
Spanning 2000 years of religious, cultural & political events, this illustrated volume--part of the Oxford Illustrated History series--provides an authoritative & accessible history of Christianity for general readers. The impact of Christianity on world civilization is almost incalculable. In exploring this heritage, 19 scholars range from the earliest origins to the present day to examine virtually every aspect of the faith. They discuss the apostle Peter & Roman Emperor Constantine, describe the role of Charlemagne in the expansion of the religion, & assess medieval scholasticism & the influence of Aquinas. The profound changes that occurred during both the Reformation & the Enlightenment are treated in chapters that offer portraits of such figures as Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, Wesley & Rousseau. Fully a 3rd of the book covers Christianity since 1800--with special studies of the faith as practiced in Britain & Europe, N. & S. America, Africa, India & the Far East--offering a continuous narrative filled with insight into the enormously diverse Christian world. The final chapters consider questions of contemporary Christian theology, conscience & belief, exploring new concepts of Christian community. Over 350 illustrations--including 32 color plates--grace the text, ranging from mosaics, paintings & sculptures, to architecture & modern art. There are 10 maps, a chronology & an annotated guide to further reading. Throughout, the book reflects the changing world in which Christians have found themselves, & the many ways in which, individually & thru church institutions, they in turn have influenced history. Comprehensive, vividly narrated & exquisitely produced, this book captures the richness & vitality of Christian thought & culture throughout the ages.
724 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1990
28 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
John McManners
27 books2 followersJohn "Jack" McManners CBE FBA was an English clergyman and historian of religion who specialized in the history of the Church and other aspects of religious life in 18th century France. He was Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Oxford from 1972 to 1984. He also served as Fellow and Chaplain of All Souls College, Oxford from 1964 to 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 1, 2024
I bought this book for $8 at a used bookstore in 2011. It interested me coming from a Bible-only denomination background as a chance to expand on what I remember from AP Euro in 2003-4.
For the next edition, the book should be retitled “Miscellaneous Notes, Tangents, and Counterpoints Related to Christianity for the Christian Scholar.” The presumed audience is people like me, wanting to learn about the history of Christianity (why would anyone else read this?). The majority of authors instead write as though they are trying to impress their professors, referencing in passing obscure people, places, and events as though they are common knowledge. Instead of talking about the facts comprising the big events, e.g. the Reformation, the facts are only loosely alluded to with the broader purpose of sharing an opinion, like for instance that historians tend to focus too much on this or that. The chapter on Eastern Christianity is an exception to this, it was outstanding. Also, the story is too fragmented coming from so many authors, such a book should have a single author, preferably that of the Eastern Christianity chapter.
The book claims to be neutral but was pretty clearly written by Christian apologists. Especially harrowing was the chapter on spread of Christianity to the new world. After having just finished Guns, Germs, and Steel, I found it unconscionable for the author, who is the editor, to maintain that the Spaniards were basically just wanting to spread Christianity to the indigenous of the new world. And when some of them were bad the church basically tried to stop them. And the conversions basically weren’t forced.
For the next edition, the book should be retitled “Miscellaneous Notes, Tangents, and Counterpoints Related to Christianity for the Christian Scholar.” The presumed audience is people like me, wanting to learn about the history of Christianity (why would anyone else read this?). The majority of authors instead write as though they are trying to impress their professors, referencing in passing obscure people, places, and events as though they are common knowledge. Instead of talking about the facts comprising the big events, e.g. the Reformation, the facts are only loosely alluded to with the broader purpose of sharing an opinion, like for instance that historians tend to focus too much on this or that. The chapter on Eastern Christianity is an exception to this, it was outstanding. Also, the story is too fragmented coming from so many authors, such a book should have a single author, preferably that of the Eastern Christianity chapter.
The book claims to be neutral but was pretty clearly written by Christian apologists. Especially harrowing was the chapter on spread of Christianity to the new world. After having just finished Guns, Germs, and Steel, I found it unconscionable for the author, who is the editor, to maintain that the Spaniards were basically just wanting to spread Christianity to the indigenous of the new world. And when some of them were bad the church basically tried to stop them. And the conversions basically weren’t forced.
June 4, 2024
I bought this book, the 1990 edition, on a trip to New Mexico in 1998. Since then it has been on my night table and I read it when I can't sleep.
I usually sleep well.
So it has taken me 19 years to finish this book, but finish it I have. It's a large-scale book, heavily illustrated, and written by English academics. It covers the entire history of Christianity—up until the 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe and the fall of the Soviet Union.
This book performed the duty of a light drug to get me back to sleep, mostly, but I do admire the book, and certain chapters stuck with me as tragic, such as the fate of Christianity under the Soviets and the fall of Byzantium.
I might keep the book and reread it. I do get sleepless, rarely, but it happens. What other book could provide me with the sleep I need?
Highly recommended.
Eric
I usually sleep well.
So it has taken me 19 years to finish this book, but finish it I have. It's a large-scale book, heavily illustrated, and written by English academics. It covers the entire history of Christianity—up until the 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe and the fall of the Soviet Union.
This book performed the duty of a light drug to get me back to sleep, mostly, but I do admire the book, and certain chapters stuck with me as tragic, such as the fate of Christianity under the Soviets and the fall of Byzantium.
I might keep the book and reread it. I do get sleepless, rarely, but it happens. What other book could provide me with the sleep I need?
Highly recommended.
Eric
May 2, 2023
A reader shouldn't be surprised when a tome written and edited by scholars reads like a grad study thesis. I would love a version that holds with the integrity of the content but with a bit more brevity. The modern Christian church and modern Christian thought is deeply rooted in this history, at least as much as in scripture. I am appreciative for the heightening of that understanding.
January 7, 2024
The first half of the book is useful but the second half gets bogged down in detailed accounts of the histories of specific countries and regions, and then a dated attempt to speculate about the future. Still worthwhile though
March 16, 2016
I can't quite make up my mind about this book. I love the plentiful and apt illustrations; but I wonder if it attempts to cover too much? This book provides a high-level view. The politics of power overcome the simple faith (advised or genuine) of the peasant/citizen. Read this book in combination with 'grounded' publications such as "The Voices of Morebath" by Eamon Duffy.
I was surprised to find little of substance in this book on the early years of the English Reformation; the birth of a Reformed Catholic Christian faith on which rock the British Empire, and the use of English as a worldwide lingua franca, eventually developed, to the benefit of trade and commonality.
But there again, perhaps the greatest strength of this book, which comprises chapters written by nineteen leading scholars, is that a) it is mostly very readable, and b) it does form a solid foundation from which the reader can structurally research his or her own specific interests.
I was surprised to find little of substance in this book on the early years of the English Reformation; the birth of a Reformed Catholic Christian faith on which rock the British Empire, and the use of English as a worldwide lingua franca, eventually developed, to the benefit of trade and commonality.
But there again, perhaps the greatest strength of this book, which comprises chapters written by nineteen leading scholars, is that a) it is mostly very readable, and b) it does form a solid foundation from which the reader can structurally research his or her own specific interests.
March 7, 2016
This book is indeed lovely to look at and to hold, but much of the writing is dry and just about all my interest is presumed, not stimulated, by the authors. It would also be hard to go back to find specific facts--it is not a traditional 'history' in quite that sense. More of a discussion by rather dull English chaps. I did not sense any of the passion that they were undoubtedly discussing!
[Previous comment] Beautiful and informative! My only wish is that the history could be more comprehensive. These chapters are good, but they are essays limited, quite reasonably, by their subjects. I would in some places prefer more dates-and-names details, rather than the flattering assumption that I remember more history than I do!
[Previous comment] Beautiful and informative! My only wish is that the history could be more comprehensive. These chapters are good, but they are essays limited, quite reasonably, by their subjects. I would in some places prefer more dates-and-names details, rather than the flattering assumption that I remember more history than I do!
January 15, 2009
This book was overwhelming to say the least. I skipped some chapters on South America and Africa, but the chapters written on the Eastern Church and the shaping and shifting of the Church in America were great. One thing that I could not get out of my mind was the success of the Jesuit mission work, and the tragedies that happened in early Japanese Christian lives, some being crucified on the beach at high tide.
May 20, 2012
The content of the book was great. It was an enjoyable and easy read, the illustrations are its highlight. As a survey of Church history it seemed light. But it is a sharp looking book, and as far as vanity goes, it looks fantastic on the shelf!
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November 23, 2008I have this book out a lot for my classes and it was recommended by a couple of my instructors for Pastoral Ministry. I have learned a lot from it and the pictures are fabulous - b/w; color and maps
August 12, 2009
dry boring and mostly about Catholics
December 28, 2011
Read selections of this for a course on Global Christianity. Yes, that's right, one course which covered the entire history of Christianity ... for the whole world. Fail.
December 27, 2012
One of my favorite references when I am looking for a quick answer about a particular Church history question. Scholarly, but not overly in depth - the literary equivalent of a survey class.
July 13, 2015
Very interesting book and filled with a lot of good information. Comparative Religion and the History of all religions is fascinating to me.
August 29, 2012
Some of the articles in this book are fairly outdated.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews