A History of Christianity

by Owen Chadwick

Book Overview

Eminent church historian Owen Chadwick has written this original, sweeping history of the Christian faith. Using layman's language, he surveys the lives of Christians over two millennia. A History of Christianity is essential reading for anyone interested in one of the most powerful influences on global civilization.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312187238
• ISBN13: 9780312187231
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 2.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.4" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book

I saw this book in the bookstore and it was just what i was looking for. I certainly needed touching up on my Christian knowledge.I knew the bare essentials.This book is wonderfully made.. One thing i realy like about this book is the excellent drawings and photographs. Owen Chadwick an eminent histrian has written an original,sweeping history of the Christian faith from the perspective of a peoples religion. It talks about how its origins as a Jewish sect and then how Europe was converted.It spread to Americas,much of Africa and parts of the East. Amazing what one man can do.If jesus wasnt the most famous man in history the who was?I mean kings and Queens...Presidents die,or get beaten in an election and we wait for the next one to take their place.But the name Jesus lives on and on.Its incredible from one mans perspective the influence he had on the outside world....the spirit lives. This is a very informative look at Christianity.

Excellent Book

I saw this book in the bookstore and it was just what i was looking for. I certainly needed touching up on my Christian knowledge.I knew the bare essentials.This book is wonderfully made.. One thing i realy like about this book is the excellent drawings and photographs. Owen Chadwick an eminent histrian has written an original,sweeping history of the Christian faith from the perspective of a peoples religion. It talks about how its origins as a Jewish sect and then how Europe was converted.It spread to Americas,much of Africa and parts of the East. Amazing what one man can do.If jesus wasnt the most famous man in history the who was?I mean kings and Queens...Presidents die,or get beaten in an election and we wait for the next one to take their place.But the name Jesus lives on and on.Its incredible from one mans perspective the influence he had on the outside world....the spirit lives. This is a very informative look at Christianity.

Aptly Titled

Owen Chadwick's "A History of Christianity" has apparently been reprinted in 2005 with different cover art. I am reviewing here the newer printing. This book presents what is known about the history of Christianity in a compact edition (approx 300 pp). It has been interesting to compare this view with Porter's view (Jesus Christ: the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith) of the history and development of Christianity. Chadwick is the longer and deeper read of the two, as might be expected since it addresses Christianity more than Christ alone. The early evolution of Christianity and its extinct branches might be news to many Christians. The development of the Bible as a single entity might be shocking to many. The parallelisms among Biblical stories and those of other religions might give many readers some pause too. The idea that Christianity evolved over time, that the Bible evolved over time, that the authors of the New Testament might not be as clear-cut as many have believed, might be eye-opening. That the New Testament went through multiple editions and that there are historical versions with significant differences (different endings, for example) is fascinating. Many Christians have been taught to believe in the Bible as the inerrant word of God...but a walk through Christian history gives us some interesting perspective on that concept. Chadwick and Porter agree on much of this history. Both books are infused with good artwork and reasonably good references for support. Chadwick's synopsis of modern Christianity is necessarily very brief, covers the basics, but does seem a bit shy of my expectations. For example, I would have liked more comparative history of recent Christian groups such as Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. But the coverage of ancient history of Christianity makes up for these shortcomings in its modern history. And perhaps, in the greater history of Christianity, the modern events and travails are are mere bumps in the path. ross koning

Chadwick

It was a great book with lots of information. The illustrations were supurb and it was well written. The text was easy to understand and it would make a great "Coffee Table Book" as well as a great reference and an asset to any Christian's library...

A fascinating tale...

Owen Chadwick was a professor of modern history at Cambridge from the 1960s to the 1980s. He has written extensively on issues in the history of Christianity, which include 'The Reformation' (now in its 20th edition -- a remarkable number!), 'The Victorian Church', 'The Popes and the European Revolution', as well as an authoritative biography of Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of Canterbury. In this volume, 'A History of Christianity', Chadwick has taken his extensive knowledge of the subject and distilled it into a book that is accessible, yet magisterial. Including all elements of religion, including art, music, philosophy, politics, architecture, faith and spirituality, Chadwick explores the breadth of Christianity from the early days of wandering disciples to the days of televangelists, and all in between. --Chapter 1: Jew and GreekThis give a summary overview of the history of Judaism up to the time of Christ, to provide some basic context scripturally, sociologically, historically, etc. It also surveys the then-current non-Jewish religions and philosophies dominant in the Roman world. It traces the first few hundred years of the Christian movement, exploring issues such as house-church organisation, ritual and liturgy, early persecutions, early heresies, and the perceived need for and development of creeds and a canon of scripture (the New Testament).--Chapter 2: The Christian EmpireThis chapter begins with the close of the era of persecution and the rise of Constantine. From this point Christianity was a major state religion, which had profound impact upon the character of the church in philosophy and organisation. Issues explored include the beginnings of monasticism, the recognition of and celebration of saints, calendrical controversies, and the spread of Christianity beyond Roman borders to northern Europe, eastern and southern lands.--Chapter 3: East RomeThis chapter examines some of the issues which began to separate what is now called Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox Christianity and the Western church. Issues examined include the role of the city and political dominance of Constantinople, eastern traditions and liturgical differences from the Western practice, mysticism and the effects of Islam on continuing Christian development as a politically-secondary religion.--Chapter 4: Western Society in the Middle AgesWith the rise of Islam and the faltering of political power of the eastern Christian hierarchy, the bishop of Rome once again became a predominant authority in church matters politically. Issues covered include art and architecture in the west, the rise of the diocesan and parish systems, 'imitation of Christ' movements such as the Franciscans, the church's regulation of marriage, and the beginnings of Renaissance thinking.--Chapter 5: The New World and ReformAfter the crusades and the near universality of catholicism in the West for several centuries, various communities and leaders began to question the authority of the church in v