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2,000 Years of Christ's Power #1
2 000 Years of Christ's Power, Part One: The Age of the Early Church Fathers
The story of Christ's power over history and the lives of the people of his church is retold in a fascinating way. An excellent introduction to church history.
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1998
342 people are currently reading
1493 people want to read
About the author
Nick R. Needham
14 books65 followersDr. Nick Needham is senior minister of Inverness Reformed Baptist Church and tutor in church history at Highland Theological College in Dingwall, Scotland.
Dr. Needham is a Londoner by birth and upbringing. He studied theology at New College, Edinburgh University, where he specialized in Church History. He also taught a course at New College on the life and works of the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli, at the same time completing his PhD thesis on the nineteenth-century Scottish theologian Thomas Erskine of Linlathen. He then taught Systematic Theology at the Scottish Baptist College in Glasgow for several years before spending a semester at the Samuel Bill Theological College, where he taught Church History. After a period as assistant pastor in a church in north London, he moved to the Highland Theological College, Dingwall, where he teaches Church History.
Dr. Needham is a Londoner by birth and upbringing. He studied theology at New College, Edinburgh University, where he specialized in Church History. He also taught a course at New College on the life and works of the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli, at the same time completing his PhD thesis on the nineteenth-century Scottish theologian Thomas Erskine of Linlathen. He then taught Systematic Theology at the Scottish Baptist College in Glasgow for several years before spending a semester at the Samuel Bill Theological College, where he taught Church History. After a period as assistant pastor in a church in north London, he moved to the Highland Theological College, Dingwall, where he teaches Church History.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
March 5, 2018
The best church history book I’ve read to date. It is scholarly yet accessible. It is engaging and enjoyable reading. The author tells the story of church history in a way that makes you want to stay up late and keep reading. His presentation is clear and helpful, and the format is excellent.
Each chapter tells the story of a period of transition or theological development. Key figures are in bold the first time they get mentioned. At the end of each chapter there is a list of important people, both in the church and the world, from that chapter along with the dates. And then short excerpts from their writings (which were discussed and analyzed in the chapter) are included so the reader can experience the sources first hand.
The footnotes are helpful and there are many useful cross references included right in the text for when you need reminders. The book ends with a glossary, some suggested reading, and an index.
Overall, this will be my starting place when recommending books on church history from now on.
Each chapter tells the story of a period of transition or theological development. Key figures are in bold the first time they get mentioned. At the end of each chapter there is a list of important people, both in the church and the world, from that chapter along with the dates. And then short excerpts from their writings (which were discussed and analyzed in the chapter) are included so the reader can experience the sources first hand.
The footnotes are helpful and there are many useful cross references included right in the text for when you need reminders. The book ends with a glossary, some suggested reading, and an index.
Overall, this will be my starting place when recommending books on church history from now on.
June 12, 2017
This is my new favorite Church History series - crisp writing, good story-telling, strong feel for what is important and what should be left out, helpful structure from a pedagogical standpoint, and a selection of primary source writings at the end of each chapter.
June 5, 2025
Very readable and engaging.
June 15, 2024
Excellent introduction to the early church fathers and the theological debates that ensued in the ancient church. Needham is incredibly readable and clear. At times I wondered if his Reformed Baptist views tilted his evaluation of the evidence, but he helpfully provided extended quotations of primary sources at the end of each chapter — which were truly a delight to read. The excerpt from Gregory the Great’s Pastoral Rule — geeze laweeze. I can’t wait to read the other volumes in the series.
April 16, 2025
Really good, it's going to be my go-to recommended Church history text.
August 1, 2021
Written with an international audience in mind, Needham's survey of church history is clean, accessible, and covers a lot of ground. If the Lord gives me the opportunity to teach church history in Africa, this will be my go-to textbook.
April 27, 2025
Such a wonderful resource!
May 2, 2022
4.6 Stars
Nick Needham's "2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Part One" is the first volume in a five-volume series on church history. Needham's first volume in the series covers the periods from the birth of the church (first century) to the Third Council of Constantinople (sixth century). Needham's goal is to present a thorough overview of church history while still being accessible to laymen. He succeeds at this goal, producing a phenomenal work of church history that is compelling, engaging, highly informative, and encouraging.
Needham's greatest strength displayed in this book is his knowledge of church history. To write a short volume on six centuries of history one must know your history well; what parts are important, and what to leave out. Needham can skillfully and briefly hit on the main points of a wide variety of issues in the early church. The simple breadth of history that Needham can communicate in short sections that are compact and understandable is astounding. I was amazed at how Needham was able to take a complicated indecent like the Monophysite controversies of the sixth century and dispel them simply and understandably.
I highly recommend this book; I have almost no critiques for this book since Needham is such a good writer and he has done such an excellent job with this book. If you are looking for a shorter introduction to church history, I would not start here but with Bruce Shelley's "Church History in Plain Language." But if you want to take another step up and understand more of church history I would start with Needham's series. I am excited to start working on the next volume in the series!
Nick Needham's "2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Part One" is the first volume in a five-volume series on church history. Needham's first volume in the series covers the periods from the birth of the church (first century) to the Third Council of Constantinople (sixth century). Needham's goal is to present a thorough overview of church history while still being accessible to laymen. He succeeds at this goal, producing a phenomenal work of church history that is compelling, engaging, highly informative, and encouraging.
Needham's greatest strength displayed in this book is his knowledge of church history. To write a short volume on six centuries of history one must know your history well; what parts are important, and what to leave out. Needham can skillfully and briefly hit on the main points of a wide variety of issues in the early church. The simple breadth of history that Needham can communicate in short sections that are compact and understandable is astounding. I was amazed at how Needham was able to take a complicated indecent like the Monophysite controversies of the sixth century and dispel them simply and understandably.
I highly recommend this book; I have almost no critiques for this book since Needham is such a good writer and he has done such an excellent job with this book. If you are looking for a shorter introduction to church history, I would not start here but with Bruce Shelley's "Church History in Plain Language." But if you want to take another step up and understand more of church history I would start with Needham's series. I am excited to start working on the next volume in the series!
August 16, 2025
This is the beginning of what feels like it will be an incredible achievement (assuming Needham builds upon this excellent first volume). Remarkable for its readability and comprehensiveness, this is undoubtedly one of the best treatments of the history of the early church I have read. In a time where we are shockingly ignorant of church history (and therefore, susceptible to repeating the errors of the past), this is a vital work that deserves to be widely read and enjoyed. One of my favorite parts is Needham's inclusion of select writings at the end of each chapter from the patristic/key figures under discussion. Captivating, moving, inspiring. Looking eagerly forward to the next.
June 17, 2025
Incredibly rich in historical and theological detail while remaining readable for someone as young as a high schooler.
In this first volume in the 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power series, Needham deals with the first 7 centuries of church history up to the Third Council of Constantinople.
For these first ~650 years, the church is constantly working to iron out Trinitarian theology and Christology.
From Athanasius and Augustine to Maximus the Confessor, may we stand upon the shoulders of faithful church fathers and imitate their boldness for the Truth even when it costs us our lives.
In this first volume in the 2,000 Years of Christ’s Power series, Needham deals with the first 7 centuries of church history up to the Third Council of Constantinople.
For these first ~650 years, the church is constantly working to iron out Trinitarian theology and Christology.
From Athanasius and Augustine to Maximus the Confessor, may we stand upon the shoulders of faithful church fathers and imitate their boldness for the Truth even when it costs us our lives.
April 1, 2025
read with my high schoolers for 2024-2025 edu year.
I especially like that each chapter ends with original writings of people mentioned. some times it’s a bit dull but it is solid & lays a good foundation of the early church.
I especially like that each chapter ends with original writings of people mentioned. some times it’s a bit dull but it is solid & lays a good foundation of the early church.
May 23, 2017
A great survey of church history!
I particularly like the fact he gives extracts from primary sources at the end of each chapter.
I particularly like the fact he gives extracts from primary sources at the end of each chapter.
February 1, 2025
This was great as an introductory work. Needham simplifies and abbreviates really well. It never gets deep enough to satisfy your interest in the people and events, but it is not intended too.
July 12, 2021
The best church history book I've read so far. Better than Shelley's Church History in Plain Language. Needham writes clearly and articulately. He foresees questions the reader might have and addresses them at appropriate places. He frequently reviews material he has covered previously, which I found helpful, as I find it difficult to remember what the various controversies were about or what beliefs the various factions held. At the end of each chapter he lists a number of notable people who lived during that period and, more helpfully, presents excerpts from the writings of the people he talked about. Needham mentions at the beginning that this book stems from a series of classes he had to give to ministers in Africa. When looking for church history books to assign, he found that those which had the simplest English were the least thorough, whereas those that were most thorough were written in cumbersome prose. He wrote this book to try to present church history in a way that is both thorough and accessible, and he has done a great job. I look forward to reading the other parts in the series.
July 22, 2025
What a great introduction to Church History. Needham is an engaging writer. His style of focusing on significant figures in history, rather than telling a single, long story, is unique and exciting. This was more enthralling than most of the fiction books I've read. I couldn't put it down when I started. My wife would get upset because I would read this over The Meaning of Marriage.
March 31, 2025
I think he delivers on his promise: a church history that is accessible to those without a church history background. Lay people would be well served by this and given a good introduction to the church fathers.
The audiobook narrator is a disaster. Mispronunciations abound and some words are just misread (e.g. immorality, when the book says immortality).
The audiobook narrator is a disaster. Mispronunciations abound and some words are just misread (e.g. immorality, when the book says immortality).
September 23, 2020
Simply brilliant. So easily accessible, well written and enjoyable. Needham guides the reader through some of the most complex events of the early church masterfully.
Constant helpful reminders of which group is which, insightful footnotes, source content at the end of each chapter and a clear way of writing make this book an easy recommend to anyone with even a slight interest in church history.
Constant helpful reminders of which group is which, insightful footnotes, source content at the end of each chapter and a clear way of writing make this book an easy recommend to anyone with even a slight interest in church history.
February 9, 2025
So good! Well written, engaging, to the point and yet informative in so many ways.
April 4, 2020
I previously had to read Justo Gonzalez’s works on Christian history for a class, but I chose to begin reading Nick Needham’s work for pleasure. I purchased these after the 2018 Together for the Gospel conference and have been itching to get to them ever since. Gonzalez’s works are fantastic and they have an academic level in the text that Needham does not present, but that does not mean Needham’s are unscholarly. The book is full of footnotes and each chapters ends with several primary sources available for readers to ponder. With all of that being said I think that 2000 Years of Christ’s Power may be my recommended church history read. Neeham is a fantastic story teller and the way that he presents the story of Christianity sucks the reader in. It is as if you are reading a novel. I was truly able to get lost in the worlds of 1st century Rome and of 5th century Ireland. I would recommend this volume to any Christian or non-Christian wanting time understand not just church history better, but history of the world better. Needham does not disappoint as he shows how significant these first 600 years of the Christian Church are for the whole world.
October 25, 2025
Okay. Took some time to gather the thoughts. Still don’t think I’ll be able to explain everything I’m thinking but that’s okay.
For a while, I’ve had kind of a anxious enrollment towards church history. I’ve seen or I guess rather have been interested in that. There was 2000 years essentially a church history that I had not yet even began to try and understand, and it was quite scary, because Catholic and orthodox camps Tend to embrace church history with much more open arms than the protestant tradition I grew up in. Even so it seems that common rhetoric in influential arguments today, frown down upon the protestants as if that if we only understood church history, we would be Catholic. Even so I couldn’t ignore my curiosity on church history any longer. My expectation is I would come out remaining protestant but having a higher reverence for the Catholic and orthodox tradition. This is mostly true, except I would say, surprisingly; I came away gaining a ton of respect for protestant expression, and slightly more for the catholic orthodox tradition. It’s interesting to learn that a lot of Catholic dogmas did not originate as early back as as some of the popular arguments, i see online would lead me to believe. The papacy, as it is today, immaculate conception, veneration, penance, all seem to come much later thanks it was interesting for me to learn that the Catholic Church itself wasn’t in or knives until the spread of Gnosticism.
That leads me to the most interesting part of this book. It is true the history repeats itself I think by learning about so much their church history I can now see some of the consequence is still active today as well as some of the same arguments same problems reoccurring. For instance, one that really has been sitting with me a ton is just sad spread of Gnosticism. In the Internet age much like the early church; and I mean EARLY church, authority was very much decentralized. And with decentralized authority. There’s a correlation with the spread of heresy and/or just bad theology, and I think that’s maybe why and Jenn Z we are seeing a turn towards the Catholic and orthodox Church. Not so much. Or reverence for those churches within themselves. But maybe more so as a response to the bad theology, running rampant on social media in a time where everyone has a platform to speak.
Technically, this book is great. I understand still at church is not a easy subject to grasp, yet even as a layman author did a great job for someone like me to be able to understand, every time he speaks i. insider language he breaks it down for everyone. The book also reads kind of like a drama. I mean these early church fathers are mostly drama mamas/divas ( I say jokingly.)
Some of my fav people/things to learn about
Athanasius
Clement of Alexandria/Prepatory Grace
Ambrose of Milan
Justin Martyr
Pseudo-Dionysus (seems to kind of lay the groundwork for AW Tozer)
Iona/Celtic church as a whole. Cool to see how poetic they were with the faith
Arian Controversy
Gregory the Great
Origen was kind of funny (this guy is now condemned rip)
Early Church Service Structure
Theodora
Christological controversy
I say this all with a grain of salt because this is new to me
But very interesting, easy to read, engaging
10/10 would read again in 5-10 years
For a while, I’ve had kind of a anxious enrollment towards church history. I’ve seen or I guess rather have been interested in that. There was 2000 years essentially a church history that I had not yet even began to try and understand, and it was quite scary, because Catholic and orthodox camps Tend to embrace church history with much more open arms than the protestant tradition I grew up in. Even so it seems that common rhetoric in influential arguments today, frown down upon the protestants as if that if we only understood church history, we would be Catholic. Even so I couldn’t ignore my curiosity on church history any longer. My expectation is I would come out remaining protestant but having a higher reverence for the Catholic and orthodox tradition. This is mostly true, except I would say, surprisingly; I came away gaining a ton of respect for protestant expression, and slightly more for the catholic orthodox tradition. It’s interesting to learn that a lot of Catholic dogmas did not originate as early back as as some of the popular arguments, i see online would lead me to believe. The papacy, as it is today, immaculate conception, veneration, penance, all seem to come much later thanks it was interesting for me to learn that the Catholic Church itself wasn’t in or knives until the spread of Gnosticism.
That leads me to the most interesting part of this book. It is true the history repeats itself I think by learning about so much their church history I can now see some of the consequence is still active today as well as some of the same arguments same problems reoccurring. For instance, one that really has been sitting with me a ton is just sad spread of Gnosticism. In the Internet age much like the early church; and I mean EARLY church, authority was very much decentralized. And with decentralized authority. There’s a correlation with the spread of heresy and/or just bad theology, and I think that’s maybe why and Jenn Z we are seeing a turn towards the Catholic and orthodox Church. Not so much. Or reverence for those churches within themselves. But maybe more so as a response to the bad theology, running rampant on social media in a time where everyone has a platform to speak.
Technically, this book is great. I understand still at church is not a easy subject to grasp, yet even as a layman author did a great job for someone like me to be able to understand, every time he speaks i. insider language he breaks it down for everyone. The book also reads kind of like a drama. I mean these early church fathers are mostly drama mamas/divas ( I say jokingly.)
Some of my fav people/things to learn about
Athanasius
Clement of Alexandria/Prepatory Grace
Ambrose of Milan
Justin Martyr
Pseudo-Dionysus (seems to kind of lay the groundwork for AW Tozer)
Iona/Celtic church as a whole. Cool to see how poetic they were with the faith
Arian Controversy
Gregory the Great
Origen was kind of funny (this guy is now condemned rip)
Early Church Service Structure
Theodora
Christological controversy
I say this all with a grain of salt because this is new to me
But very interesting, easy to read, engaging
10/10 would read again in 5-10 years
February 7, 2024
Nick Needham's first volume in 2000 years of Christ's power is one of a kind. It narrates through history with the tone of a fictional novel but with the historical facts of a scholarly work. While written for layman, it is by no means weak in content or intent.
This volume begins with a historical background of early and first century Rome and ends with the monotheletism controversy of the sixth century. Needham provides descriptions of the background and events of the first six ecumenical councils as well as descriptions and exurts from multiple church fathers. His narration of John Chrysostom's life as the bishop of Rome, Maximus the Confessor, Emperor Justinian, and the evangelism of the nations are highlights of this excellent work.
While this series is certainly ideal for Christians unaware of specifics in Church History, it would be profitable to read a primor first such as Tony Lane's Intro to Christian History and Thought or Shelley's Church History in Plain Language.
This volume begins with a historical background of early and first century Rome and ends with the monotheletism controversy of the sixth century. Needham provides descriptions of the background and events of the first six ecumenical councils as well as descriptions and exurts from multiple church fathers. His narration of John Chrysostom's life as the bishop of Rome, Maximus the Confessor, Emperor Justinian, and the evangelism of the nations are highlights of this excellent work.
While this series is certainly ideal for Christians unaware of specifics in Church History, it would be profitable to read a primor first such as Tony Lane's Intro to Christian History and Thought or Shelley's Church History in Plain Language.
September 10, 2019
This is a marvelous book. Needham is able to capture in simple yet compelling prose an era of giants and subtle distinctions. All the major figures and controversies are here as well as many minor ones that may be new even to the seasoned student of church history. Each chapter concludes with a list of major figures and a selection of lengthy quotations from significant thinkers covered in that chapter. There is more here than the average church member might want to read, but there is nothing here too complex or complicated for him. This is church history for all comers. Oh, and I enjoyed it so much I’ve already started the second one.
August 17, 2022
Without doubt this is an excellent church history. It is so excellent that even though I took two church history courses in seminary I still learned much that was new to me from this volume. It is very well organized and the inclusion of excerpts of primary sources is gold. However, as good as the content is it’s also very dense. In the introduction the author says he wanted to write for pastors and laymen to learn church history, but the reality is it will be more academic than most will enjoy.
December 21, 2021
I understand why Carl R. Trueman always recommend this series when asked about the to go introduction to church history.
Easy to read, nothing important and significant is left out. I would also recommend this to any pastors to help them understand the great controversies that shaped our doctrines’ understanding.
A rich plus is that at the end of each chapters, Nick Needham included some portions of the writings of the important figures he mentioned in the chapter.
Well done.
Easy to read, nothing important and significant is left out. I would also recommend this to any pastors to help them understand the great controversies that shaped our doctrines’ understanding.
A rich plus is that at the end of each chapters, Nick Needham included some portions of the writings of the important figures he mentioned in the chapter.
Well done.
June 18, 2024
I learned so much about early church history in this book. This is one I will read again and will consistently come back to as a reference. One thing that really stands out is that Needham’s treatment of especially the doctrinal development of the church reveals the foolish critique of Protestantism that says that the church all believed exactly the same thing until 1054 and up through the Reformation. Catholicity is something that developed over centuries through much debate.
February 3, 2023
This is exactly how an introduction to church history should be written. It is clear, simple, gives lots of original quotes, explains words, and even tells you how to pronounce them.
I am looking forward to reading through the next in the series.
It was going to be a 5 star review until page 348 where the author snubs Wales and David. A disappointing revision of history. A footnote would have sufficed.
Apart from that, excellent.
I am looking forward to reading through the next in the series.
It was going to be a 5 star review until page 348 where the author snubs Wales and David. A disappointing revision of history. A footnote would have sufficed.
Apart from that, excellent.
Read
May 10, 2024Thomas the Cat is the greatest theologian name of all time.
May 15, 2023
This is a 4 volume series, with a 5th on the way. I really enjoyed reading this, it takes a very approachable scholarly route. This book provides excerpts of important works from each time period and reads very well. Highly recommend to anyone seeking to know more about church history whether for fun or education.
April 17, 2009
Good overview of the early church. A lot of original source material. At times too wordy.
March 15, 2020
A compelling survey of the 'patristic' age of Church history. A perfect blend of captivating story - telling and balanced scholarly analysis profitable for even the most novice of Church history enthusiasts.
In this work, the first of four existing volumes (though the author is planning subsequent volumes in the series), Needham covers the "Age of the Early Church Fathers". In terms of dates, this covers basically the first 7 centuries of the Church's life, starting from the book of Acts.
Important historical and philosophical background is supplied in the first few chapters to help the reader understand the intellectual and social context into which the Church is born. Furthermore, the discussion, particularly on Greek philosophical influence into the patristic theology, is extremely helpful. In particular, Needham's introduction to Platonism and Neoplatonism, and its links to patristic theological thought is most useful.
Whilst I expected the volume of new vocabulary introduced to be overwhelming, there is a helpful glossary provided in an appendix that defines all of the technical language that is introduced. Moreover, the book is thoroughly cross - referenced. Whereever a technical word is used in the text after, there is a footnote redirecting the reader to the chatper and section where the word or concept was first discussed. With this, and the glossary, Needham makes it as easy as possible to follow the historical narrative. Even more helpfully, at the end of each chapter, a summary is provided of the important figures that have been mentioned in that chapter, their dates, and the area of life in which they were particualrly relevant (e.g. the Church, Emperors, philosophers etc.).
I also enjoyed the different approaches that Needham uses to tell the narrative of the early Church. There are chapters and where he takes a topic or area of Church life, and shows how that area changes throughout the patristic age. In other chapters, there will be theological figures at the centre of the discussion, and at other councils or controversies. The way in which it is written minimises the need to jump around to cover different things, as a strict choronological approach would have to do.
In particular, I found the overview of the controversy surrounding the counicl of Chalcedon, the subsequent debate around monophysitism and monotheletism particularly well written. In fact, the major patristic theological debates that are covered: gnosticism, donatism, pelagianism, arianism etc. are all explained in a clear (and charitable) way.
Whilst it is clear that this book is written by a Protestant (and, arguably, for Protestants) Needham is very balanced his handling of different theological traditions and allows the early Church to be the early Church, rather than shoe-horning his own theological imprint onto the Fathers. Not only this, but Needham makes extensive study into the Eastern Church, as well as focussing on the Western Church.
I did find his view on the real origin of "Roman Catholicism" to be rather unclear, indicating Roman Catholicism, as we know it today, may be said to start in the 11th or perhaps 16th centuries. Whilst these views can both be argued for (though I disagree with both), it would have been helpful to glean his insight as a historian (perhaps this question will be answered in Vol. 2!).
Finally, a real strength of this work in the quotations from source material at the end of a chapter that relates to its content. These are absolute gems to read, as you can interact with the original sources directly. I found them a really nice addition.
In this work, the first of four existing volumes (though the author is planning subsequent volumes in the series), Needham covers the "Age of the Early Church Fathers". In terms of dates, this covers basically the first 7 centuries of the Church's life, starting from the book of Acts.
Important historical and philosophical background is supplied in the first few chapters to help the reader understand the intellectual and social context into which the Church is born. Furthermore, the discussion, particularly on Greek philosophical influence into the patristic theology, is extremely helpful. In particular, Needham's introduction to Platonism and Neoplatonism, and its links to patristic theological thought is most useful.
Whilst I expected the volume of new vocabulary introduced to be overwhelming, there is a helpful glossary provided in an appendix that defines all of the technical language that is introduced. Moreover, the book is thoroughly cross - referenced. Whereever a technical word is used in the text after, there is a footnote redirecting the reader to the chatper and section where the word or concept was first discussed. With this, and the glossary, Needham makes it as easy as possible to follow the historical narrative. Even more helpfully, at the end of each chapter, a summary is provided of the important figures that have been mentioned in that chapter, their dates, and the area of life in which they were particualrly relevant (e.g. the Church, Emperors, philosophers etc.).
I also enjoyed the different approaches that Needham uses to tell the narrative of the early Church. There are chapters and where he takes a topic or area of Church life, and shows how that area changes throughout the patristic age. In other chapters, there will be theological figures at the centre of the discussion, and at other councils or controversies. The way in which it is written minimises the need to jump around to cover different things, as a strict choronological approach would have to do.
In particular, I found the overview of the controversy surrounding the counicl of Chalcedon, the subsequent debate around monophysitism and monotheletism particularly well written. In fact, the major patristic theological debates that are covered: gnosticism, donatism, pelagianism, arianism etc. are all explained in a clear (and charitable) way.
Whilst it is clear that this book is written by a Protestant (and, arguably, for Protestants) Needham is very balanced his handling of different theological traditions and allows the early Church to be the early Church, rather than shoe-horning his own theological imprint onto the Fathers. Not only this, but Needham makes extensive study into the Eastern Church, as well as focussing on the Western Church.
I did find his view on the real origin of "Roman Catholicism" to be rather unclear, indicating Roman Catholicism, as we know it today, may be said to start in the 11th or perhaps 16th centuries. Whilst these views can both be argued for (though I disagree with both), it would have been helpful to glean his insight as a historian (perhaps this question will be answered in Vol. 2!).
Finally, a real strength of this work in the quotations from source material at the end of a chapter that relates to its content. These are absolute gems to read, as you can interact with the original sources directly. I found them a really nice addition.
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