Customer Reviews

Church History: A Complete History of the Catholic Church to the Present Day

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Father Laux's book titled CHURCH HISTORY is an excellent guide for those interested in the history of the Catholic Church. There is an obvious gap regarding the second half of the 20th century, but this book is still very useful.

Father Laux begins his study with the early Church. His materials are obviously selections from the Bible, but he also makes use of other documents that help explain the development of the early Catholic Church. Father Laux mentions that St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107 AD)was one of the first to use the term "Catholic Church." Readers should note that St. Ignatius of Antioch was a contemporary of St. John who is credited with writing the Gospel of John and Revelations or the Apocalypse. In other words the earliest Christians referred to themselves as Catholics and belonging to the Catholic (Universal Church). If this causes apoplexy among Protestants who define their religion by Catholic bashing, that is too bad because the sources are there.

Father Laux gives an interesting account of the survivial of the Catholic Church even as the central authority of the Roman Empire disintegrated. This is an important part of the history of the Catholic Church simply because the Catholic authroities maintained a disciplined organization which united Europeans when nothing else would. There were obvious exceptions to this trend, but the fact is that the Catholic Church united European men and women when there was political chaos during the Dark Ages (c. 500-750).

Father Laux's treatment of the monks and nuns is important. Father Laux presents a clear and incisive history of these forgotten heroes and heroines. The monks and nuns of the so-called dark ages preserved learning and Western Civilization. Father Laux cites these people for their devotion and tireless efforts. Readers should note that monks and nuns hand copied books including the Bible. They taught men how to drain swamps, clear land, farm, rotate crops, etc. The monastic schools and the schools organized for nuns were the only ones that existed until the development of the cathedral schools and universities which were developed later.

Father Laux did a credible job regarding the power struggles between the European secular rulers and Catholic authorities. For example readers should consult his explanation of the power struggle between the German ruler Henry IV (1056-1106)vs. Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085). These struggles were crucial for the survial of the Catholic Church if the Catholic authorities were to have credibility both as religious men and women and as the Universal Church rather than a national church with limited vision and narrow scope.

Father Laux does an outstanding job in detailing the history of the Catholic universities and the great philosophical achievement of the Scholastic scholars. One should note Father Laux's appreciation of St. Thomas Aguinas (1225-1274). Those who make the blunder that the Catholic authroities tried to keep men and women ignorant cannot explain that if this were so, then why the Catholic authorities promote universities to educate larger numbers of people.

Father Laux shows surprising objectivity in assessing the Renaissance Catholic Church and then explaining the Reformation. For example, he gives an honest and charitible view of Savanrola (1452-1498). Father Laux is clear that while Savanarola was executied for heresy, Savanarola exectuion was political. In other words, Father Laux praises a supposed heretic who was probably a decent man.

Father Laux's graphic descriptions of the events during the Reformation are specific and honest. Father Laux does not conceal some of the problems and corruption within the Catholic Church during the 15th and 16th centuries. Yet, Father Laux also gives high praise to the Counter Reformation and especially the work of the Jesuits. Readers should read FAther Laux's description of St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) and St. Francis Xavier (1509-1552). Part of the Counter Reformation included the significant work that Catholic missionaries did in the Americans beginning in the 16th century.

Father Laux has good details regarding the modern Catholic Church(modern to the publication date of the book). He explains the gradual loss of the land belonging to the Papal States. He deals with the challenge of "Modernity." Father Laux's assessments of modern Popes and dignatarie are worth reading.

While no one could write a complete history of the Catholic Church without producing something close to a five foot book shelf, Father Laux's book is a very good start. He is suprisingly honest and writes well. Father Laux refers readers to other sources. A good companion volume is Thomas Woods book titled HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILT WESTERN CIVILIZATION. Father Laux's CHURCH HISTORY is well worth reading.

For Christians and historians alike this is an indispensible resource for the study of Christian history and spirituality. It is filled with quotes from the lives of Martyrs, saints and Church Fathers. This book clarifies and explains the root causes for many of the hard to understand episodes in Church history,ie..Heresy,schism, holy wars, inquisition etc.. The style of writing is supreme. My honest opinion would rank this one of the best books Amazon.com has to offer.

This book has helped through three years of mediaeval history papers: it is one of the few books I have found which is at once Catholic and comprehensive on the matter of Church History. THose fed up with reading learned tome after learned tome of socio-political reasoning will welcome the more relaxed and generous voice of this book. I paricularly recommend it to any History student anxious to keep their viewpoint Christian, but I also commend it to all readers: it is Church History, which is the history of the world, at its best.

Every Catholic at some time in his life has undoubtedly felt a desire to know the history of the Catholic Church. But where to begin the study of nearly 2,000 years? Probably no book was better concieved or better executed to fulfill this need than Church History by Fr.John Laux. Written expressly both for students and adults; anyone who becomes familar with this book will find that he has aquired an excellent background in Church history. The author intersperses the history with many brief, interesting biographies of famous people, and at the end of each chapter, he quotes briefly from a famous writing of the era, blending a medly of elements into a comprehensive historical composition that is at once brilliant and fascinating. Church History by Fr. Laux is a story of the Church unparalled in its scope, depth, variety, interest, and impact, and a book all Catholics should read, that they might understand in what manner the "mustard seed" planted by Our Lord has grown to be the greatest institution in the entire world!

It starts from the time of Jesus Christ up to the reign of Pope Pius XII.

Church History by Fr. John Joseph Laux is an excellent, basic complete history of the Catholic Church.

It sums up the causes of the Inquisition, the Schism of King Henry VIII, beginning and end of Jansenism, and the end of the Papal States of Rome as well as the glorious monarchy of Italy once ruled by Blessed Pius IX.

This is not an outdated book because it published in the mid-20th century. History is never outdated even in the past. History is History. The facts from the past are still the same facts today.

This book explains all of the questions that I, as a public-school-educated cradle (i.e., ignorant) Catholic, had about my religion.

After re-discovering my Catholic faith, I have been trying to explore the depths of my Church and its teachings. This book has helped me to put people, places, and events in their proper perspective.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in finding the roots of their Catholic faith.

Understanding, as we do, that Fr. Laux's fine history of the Catholic Church does not inform beyond the pontificate of Pius XII,Church History: A Complete History of the Catholic Church to the Present Day for High School, College and Adult Reading is still a worthwhile study of the events that shaped the Church into the 20th century and should be easily enjoyed by any faithful Catholic interested in how the institution came to be in the years before the Second Vatican Council (despite what many contemporary Catholics might think, Church history did not start in October of 1962 & Vatican II did not do away with all that had come before.) So many Church histories of our time take a decidedly revisionist point of view, distorting the immense contributions the Catholic Church has made to the world as a whole & defaming the memories of many saintly figures (the aforementioned Pope Pius XII is a concrete example of this trend.)
While some tastes might find Fr. Laux's style a bit dated (admittedly this is somewhat so,) his work is accessible and highly informative. This is an excellent read, highly recommended to history enthusiasts from all walks of life, but particularly to those interested in the glorious story of Holy Mother Church!

By way of background, I should record that it was my privilege to study history at a great American history during the early seventies of the last century. Sadly though, I much abused this great privilege and probably concentrated more on my sport, wrestling, and on other, shall we say, extracurricular activities, to the expense of the serious study of the very important discipline of history. Thankfully, this important volume provides a much needed corrective to lessons first neglected.

The great Catholic historian, Hilaire Belloc, averred that "Europe is the Faith; and the Faith is Europe." On completing Father Laux's very important study, I can expand even on Belloc's proposition: Western Civilization is the Faith. And the Faith is best represented in Holy Church, the Mystical Body of Church. Father John's book is the history of Holy Church, and, therefore, it is truly the history of our civilization, writ large for all to see.

The book is beautifully written, and thoroughly documented. Father Laux deals skillfully and, yes, even lovingly, with all of the great epics of Holy Church, from her very beginnings at Pentacost to the Age of the Martyrs, the Arian deception, the Schism with the East, the Great Western Schism, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the horror of the French Revolution, and on into modern times. The books ends in the early forties, during the pontificate of Pius XII and the terrible times of the second world war. All told, it is a story of glory and tragedy. Indeed, it is the story of our world.

Father Laux ends by invoking the memory of the Pharisee who, in cautioning his compatriots relative to persecution of the early Church warned them that if this thing is of God, then whatever they strive to do to suppress it will be in vain. This Thing is the Mystical Body of Christ. And, as dark as things may seem from time to time, the gates of Hell shall surely not prevail against it.

We are deeply grateful to Father Laux for this wonderful and very important book. And we are equally grateful to the wonderful folks at TAN books of Rockford, Illinois for making available in this beautiful format.

If you're a conservative or traditional Catholic in any of the approved Rites, this is a most readable, pious, and orthodox presentation of the Church. I am also a professional scholar of ancient documents, languages, and history along with a non-professional theologian and find this book to be both edifying and accurate.

I read the whole thing through from start to finish. Serious Catholics are blessed by God to have a History even from last century with this degree of fidelity to the Magisterium and the Church's tradition.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

This is an orthodox book. There is one by Bokenkotter that is heterodox, and should only be read if one really knows the true Catholic faith. Bokenkotter pushes an agenda rather than scholarship.
The only reason I give only 3 stars is that Laux's original book ended before the reign of Pius XII, and someone else took over after that. That later history is not as detailed, in my opinion.

Gerald R. Schmidt, author of The Strange Life of Walenty Karnowski: The Rabbi's Illegitimate Grandson