Customer Reviews

The Early Church

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I find it hilarious when people critique serious works of scholarship for lacking the qualities of mass produced surveys. Frend work is not intended for the casual reader, but instead is meant to be a contribution to scholarship within the field of early christian studies. His voice is aimed towards the audience of his peers and as such prior study in the field is expected and makes the work a difficult read. However this book is a valuable resource for anyone studying the field of early christianity as Frend is one of the most notable Historians within the field. Failing to footnote his work in any study, whether in agreement or disagreement, of early christianity as such is a major fault.

Frend begins with an adept interpretation of the Cult of the Emperor, the division in early Christianity, the impact of the various pagan religions, and how these all contributed to the formation of Modern Christianity. Frend uses a wealth of primary texts and gives unique insight into their contemporary useage and probable meanings. I enjoyed this book. I felt compelled, however, to simply give it five stars out of sympathy. But unpon reflection, it is well deserved.

I found it annoying that Frend mentions the new manuscripts found since his first edition yet he chose not to include them in this revised edition. One of my classmates noted it seemed a "rough draft". A history book is hard to follow when the author continues to move back and forth through time without any warning. Many passages have to be re-read in frustration to determine the decade or century Frend is discussing. The later chapters were more comprehensible than the first 15. Frend could have explained the developing theologies better.

I have now finished reading this book which arrived in time and in the good condition I expected. Thanks.

Its a decent book overall. My biggest problem is you can see a lot of the Author's opinion which I would question throughout the book. But the facts he gives, and some of the view points are worth a look by those strong evangelicals who know the scriptures well.

The best I can say about this book is that the paper was of good quality. ..... I just finished an adult continuing education course in which this was the text book. This book is for you if you do not want interesting reading. In addition, there are no assists: e.g., chapter outlines, bold headings, maps, pictures, charts etc. ..... A specific example. Frend's 2 page preface describes the enormous amount of new material which is now available. He concludes with: "Little of this will appear in the pages of this book (2nd edition), which I have decided to leave unaltered." Enough said. ..... Ferguson's "Backgrounds of Early Christianity" is a better choice.