Introduction to the History of Christianity [Paperback]

Tim Dowley (Editor), John H. Y. Briggs (Editor), Robert D. Linder (Editor), David F. Wright (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0800634969 | ISBN-13: 978-0800634964 | Publication Date: September 2002 | Edition: 1st Fortress Press Pbk. Ed

Written by more than sixty specialists from ten countries, this volume tells the dramatic, intriguing, and often surprising story of Christianity’s 2000-year history. Its 25 chapters are illuminated by more than 400 photographs and 30 maps, charts, and diagrams. Enhanced with dozens of short special-feature articles, the tremendously informative and fair text presents the story of Christianity in a strong and engaging narrative, always with an eye to the telling detail and the deeper religious currents that have swept through generations of Christian history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...with it's charts, maps, diagrams, and color illustrations will help readers through the maze of complex Christian history." -- New York Times

"..a book whose honesty, scholarship, and general attractiveness commend it even to the nonreligious reader." -- Publishers Weekly

"If you have one one church history book, this should be it." -- Christianity Today

From the Publisher

The most popular one-volume illustrated reference book on the history of Christianity ever published is now available in a paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Pr; 1st Fortress Press Pbk. Ed edition (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800634969
• ISBN-13: 978-0800634964
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #615,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basic, well organized and easily accessible reference, December 5, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to the History of Christianity (Paperback)

Compiled and edited by Tim Dowley from the contributions by more than sixty specialists from ten countries, Introduction To The History Of Christianity is a very highly recommended single-volume reference that spans Christian history from the first century AD down to the present day. Enhanced with a wealth of black-and-white and color photographs, maps, diagrams, The History Of Christianity is a thoroughly "reader friendly", straightforward, and comprehensive chronological presentation of the Christianity's many evolutions. Introduction to The History Of Christianity is a solid, basic, well organized and easily accessible reference which is particularly ideal for use by the non-specialist general reader

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite the best place to start..., May 22, 2007

By 

Nathan Parker (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to the History of Christianity (Paperback)

This is certainly not the worst book I have read on church history, but it is far from the best. The way the book is laid out: Instead of Dowley writing everything from cover to cover, he had many different church historians write various chapters and sections of the book. It makes the book very hard to read. One of the most important facets of reading a history book is you are able to get the viewpoint of one author on everything - this gives the book cohesion. Written from so many different perspectives, this book lacks cohesion. I think this is a fine format if a book is about one issue and you want multiple perspectives on a topic, person, etc. This is what a collection of essays is for, not an attempt at a comprehensive history of the Christian church. Another annoying weakness in the book is the very poorly laid out index in the back of the book. It is divided up into three sections: Events, People, Places. I think literate people could do with just one index - this is not a brain buster. I also found myself annoyed by its incompleteness.
Certain events are completely (again, lack of cohesion) left out of the book. As an example, there is not one word about the meeting of the Westminster Assembly in the whole book. This baffles me.
Lastly, the printing of the book is not very good. The text is forced deep into the binding and you will find yourself practically tearing the binding open to read all of the text.

On the positive side, the writers who contribute to the book are very
good. Especially informative are the brief biographical sketches found throughout the text.

These other reviewers who criticise this book as being anti-Catholic are being absurd. There is no such thing found here. These people are no doubt Catholics who don't like the fact that some of their church's more embarrasing moments are written of in this book - I would pay no attention to these criticisms - they are without foundation completely unwarranted.

For a much better introduction to Christianity I would suggest Williston Walker's "History of the Christian Church"; LaTourette's "A History of Christianity" or even Justo Gonzalez's "The Story of Christianity".

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great place to start, January 15, 2005

By 

Bob Hyatt (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Introduction to the History of Christianity (Paperback)

This is a beautifully illustrated overview of 2000 years of Christian history. Great graphics, good biographies and short, readable articles all make for an excellent start to Christian history. If you are looking for a place to begin, or just a single volume that gives you breadth without drowning you in the details, this volume is for you.