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The Medieval Church: A Brief History

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This is an excellent introduction to medieval Church history that assumes an interest but little background in the subject. The deatils on any specific subject are necessarily limited, but a thorough bibliography is included. Unlike many authors in the field, Lynch's writing style is entertaining and readable without sacrificing content. He remembered that no one goes to the ball game to watch the umpire, and the resulting book is informative, clear, and understandable.

This is a primary course text for a church history class I am currently taking. Lynch's explanations of different major movements and figures are clear, articulate, and informed. This book isn't an exciting read, but is one of the most informative and least trying upper-level history course books I've read.
Considering the range and breadth of the topic, Lynch does not do justice to many medieval religious topics, but with this book he provides a good starting point for further research.

Book Review
The Medieval Church: A Brief History by Joseph H. Lynch
Reviewed by Betty Vattakunnel

Lynch, Joseph H. The Medieval Church: A Brief History. London: Longman, 1992.

Joseph H. Lynch is a Professor of History at Ohio State University and is also the author of the following books: Early Christianity: A Brief History, Christianizing Kinship: Ritual Sponsorship in Anglo-Saxon England, and many other books.Through the reading of his book, The Medieval Church, Lynch's passion to teach the history of Christianity is evident in his writings. Lynch's books provide readers an in depth, yet readable glance into the history of Christianity. He provides his readers a captivating viewpoint of the history that took place and changed the world and the growth of the church. The importance of studying the history of Christianity is illustrated through Lynch's books that display the necessity to learn about our church history in order to understand where we are today.

The book, The Medieval Church, provides readers a chronological and fairly detailed look into the medieval era of the history of Christianity. Lynch does an excellent job in setting out the facts without providing a stale encyclopedia historical outlook, but uses a language that entices the readers interest by bringing to life the realities of the history of Christianity. From Ancient Christianity to the eve of the Reformation, Lynch descriptively introduces his readers to what the world was like for the church during this era. Lynch divides his book up into twenty sections that are divided by time periods and also important events that took place. This book provides good historical facts with a timeline that guides readers through the history of the church and at the same time introduces readers to the various movements that took place that affected the overall growth of the church. Lynch does an outstanding job in exploring all areas of the medieval era including monasticism, missions, growth of the schools, details in regards to the church structure, and illustrates details of the challenges faced by the church from opposition outside of the church and even within the church.

As the medieval era is the precursor for the reformation, Lynch does a beautiful job in building up the climax of this era towards the eve of the Reformation era. The use of clear and concise language throughout the book grasps readers attention and sustains their interest in learning about the medieval era. When reading this book, readers should have some background of the early church history to completely understand the language and conflicts that arise during this time period. Lynch provides his readers in the preface a list of books to reference while reading this book as it uses language and refers to events that the reader should have some knowledge of. Taking this into consideration, The Medieval Church: A Brief History is a book that should not be read individually. As this book is historically built upon other historical facts about the history of the church, it is necessary for readers to have basic knowledge of early Christian history.

For myself, a student of the study of the history of Christianity, Lynch's book has provided me a comprehensive and chronological study of the development of the church including details of contributors to the growth of the church, the events that took place, and the events that foreshadowed the events to come.

Lynch's book The Medieval Church is a book that would be suitable for students who already have a basic background on the early church history. As a seminary student, I would highly recommend this book to those in seminary. This book should not be read on its own, but should be read with prior and post historical information from the medieval church era.

Overall, Joseph H. Lynch presents a book that is a great historical book that provides a clear and concise outlook on the medieval church era and provides readers a diverse look at the all aspects that contributed to the development and growth of the church towards the eve of Reformation.

Betty Vattakunnel
Houston Graduate School of Theology, Houston, Texas

Lynch, Joseph H. The MedievalChurch. A Brief History. London and New York: Longman, 1992, 385 pp. Paper, 38.87.

Joseph Lynch is professor of History at Ohio State University. He is also the author of Early Christianity, A Brief History and Christianizing Kinship: Ritual Sponsorship in Anglo-Saxon England.

Lynch states in the preface that his book "is intended to be an introduction for beginners and, to be frank, beginners with neither Latin nor extensive knowledge of modern foreign languages. He regrettably restricted footnotes and suggested reading almost entirely to works in English, since he wanted to provide interested students with sources and secondary works which they could read with profit" (xii, xiii).

Lynch gives the reader "an up-to-date survey, within the covers of a single manageable volume, explaining the history of the Church as an institution and also exploring its all-pervasive role in medieval life and this book now convincingly fills the gap".

The book begins with ancient Christianity including the origins of Christianity to the late medieval church with the inclusion of maps and a suggested reading section. The author examines many aspects of the Christian faith and its progression.

In discussing ancient Christianity, Lynch explores Christian origins, catholic Christianity, persecution, normative Christianity and the beginnings of monasticism. Lynch states "the notion of a 'Medieval Christianity', like so many attempts to chop history into manageable pieces, is a modern one created by historians. People living between the fifth and fifteen centuries might have been aware of some change, but saw no significant break between their religion and that of the earliest Christians. In one sense they were correct: Christianity had developed organically, step by step from the little community in Palestine in the late first century. However, the modern perception that Christianity in 900 or 1200 was different in significant ways from Christianity in 200 or 300 is also correct. Christianity's history had shaped it (and continues to shape it) in ways that no one in first-century Palestine could have predicted" (p.1).

"The book traces the development of Christianity, and the Church that embodied it in western Europe, from the decline of the Roman Empire to the fifteenth century. The emphasis throughout the book is on change and development, for medieval society was no more static than is the society of today. In the course of the thousand years covered in this book the medieval culture evolved from primitive and complex roots into a dynamic culture that is poised on the threshold of the remarkable expansion of early modern times, when European civilization began to figure in a new world role. The Western Church evolved along with that society, sometimes in opposition to it, sometimes incorporating its structures and values into itself, and always ordering and shaping them in the process".

The reader of this book will have a starting point for studying the History of Christianity from its origins through the Pre-Reformation period and a small section on the Reformation. The book was an interesting and easy read from beginning to end. It was informative, though not exhaustive in its details.

I would highly recommend The Medieval Church, A brief history by Joseph H. Lynch. This reader enjoyed reading the book on the history of Christianity. It is a must read for the student of Church history. It can also be used as a quick reference to provide information on a certain period of the medieval church.

From Sunrise To Sunset
By Ralph E. Hawkins/ Hawk

Book Review: Lynch Joseph H. The Medieval Church. A brief history: London and New York: Longman , 1992

Joseph H. Lynch text The Medieval Church, A brief history is a wonderful book that covers Christianity from its early Christian origins all the way up to the eve of the reformation. The writer takes you right into how Christianity made its transition from Judaism, and became a living breathing organism, and the corporation that I believe it is today. The writer also shares in great detail the power of the Catholic Church, and their definition of the Catholic (`Universal') church, and their strong belief that Peter pass them, and them only the keys to the church. He also shares with his readers how the Catholic Church believed that salvation could only come through the Catholic Church and through the pope.

Lynch covers in great detail the persecution that the Christians endure from its pagan neighbors, and the beginning of Monasticism and how important it was to not only the early and medieval church, but to the laity as well. Lynch shows the power of the Papacy and the means by which it used to obtain that power. The reform of the church was a major era within the Catholic Church, but it did not come without strong resistance. The writer gives the reader an insight into the different schools, and how they got started, and the major difference between the Cathedral Schools and the Monastic Schools, and how education along with the teaching of the liberal arts began to empower the people, which I believe began to lay the foundation for the reformation, which came later.

The writer shares the events in this book as if you are reading a narrative, and the reading from chapter to chapter is a good as any movie you can watch. In each chapter he leads you into a more fascinating story of the history of the church, from the three popes all claiming to have power at the same time, to those who were called heretics simple because they disagreed with the church. Towards the end the writer shares with the reader the importance of the sacraments and what they each meant to that society.

I wish Lynch had cover more in detailed the reaction of the people when the papal authority was out of control particular when they had the three popes, and how that affected the credibility of the church. In his book he spent a great deal of time on the Monastic life, and what all it entail. I believe this was somewhat over the top, but over all I believe he did a great job. He had a cliffhanger at the end, because if you had not read any information on the reformation there is no way you can just stop with this book. It begs you to read more information about the history of the church, and why you as a Christian believe what you believe, regardless of what your particular denomination may be. I found this book very enjoyable to read, and it was extremely informative, and would be a blessing to any scholar, or laity to read who wanted to know the true history of the church

Ralph E. Hawkins

Lynch's goal when writing The Medieval Church was to create a reliable and manageable introduction to the medieval church for beginning students. (xii) His resulting success is an excellent survey text for history and theology students to obtain a solid base of knowledge for further study. This text is easy for an undergraduate student to read and comprehend. It is written in a way that compels the reader's interest and attention, a quality much appreciated by the modern student. Even while being entertaining, it does not lack in substance. His overview of the origins and development of ancient Christianity is a necessary background for fuller understanding of the church during the medieval period. His writing flows with ease from the origins of organized Christianity in chronological form up to the beginnings of the Reformation.
Lynch goes in a little too much depth with monasticism and cuts the reaction of the Church to dissenters short. It may be that traditionally monasticism has been neglected and the Inquisition and heretics overly dramatized, but it seems the balance in this text has swung to the opposite of tradition instead of balancing the two proportionally.
The most obvious omission is that of the Christian church east of Rome. Lynch wrote this history of the medieval church entirely from the catholic Christian viewpoint. He hardly discusses the development of the Eastern Orthodox branch or any developments in that part of the world. Historians and westerners in general see the Medieval Ages in a purely European, particularly Western European, manner and completely ignore the developments that expand outside those boundaries. It seems to me that because the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople were more prosperous and cultured than the contemporary westerners, it is not to be considered "medieval" or part of the "dark ages." Although separated culturally and geographically, the Christian church did spread outside of the Roman boundaries during the medieval era. This book is sorely lacking concerning that part of the history of the medieval church.
Overall Lynch has written a very good account of the western medieval church for the beginning student. It is easy to read, lacks over usage of Latin phrases and translations, and provides a short glossary for the most important vocabulary. I particularly appreciate the format of the recommended reading. It is useful to the student researcher that the recommendations are separated by the sections of the book instead of a long list of must-read books. Though a bit of the book was review for me, it filled many gaps in my own learning. It gave a broad and basic knowledge while inciting the investigation into different aspects of particular interest. When I started reading, I was interested in the conversion of pagans and the barbarians by the Christian church; this book helped me to decide where and when to start my research.

Book Review: Lynch, Joseph H. The Medieval Church. A Brief History. London and New York: Longman, 1992, 385 pp. Paper, 38.87.

Reviewed by: Valencia E. Edner

The Medieval Church: A Brief History, is a compelling retrospective of the historic era that encompasses the Medieval Church. Written by Dr. John H Lynch, Distinguished Professor of History at Ohio State University, this text, while its title indicates brevity, is loaded with information, both historical and theological. The text is more than a mere reflection on the events of the Middle Ages and the Medieval Period, for within its pages the people and issues of the era are woven into the history to present what resembles a reflective narrative as opposed to a history text.

Lynch begins the text by offering the reader a glance back at the church prior to the sixth century. This backward look allows the reader to perceive the Medieval Period through a lens with continuity, consequently helping to provide the framework for this long, dynamic period in the life of Christianity.

After setting the stage for the Medieval Period, Lynch takes the reader on a chronological journey though the major European ecclesiological events up until the 12th century. Within these rudimentary divisions, though, Lynch addresses with great detail the effect of these events not only on the church, but on the people. Notably, he spends three chapters (5-7) on the Carolingian Empire because the reign of Charlemagne and his reforms and developments resonate with so much importance for the landscape of the Medieval Church and society.

One of the most notable chapters is chapter ten, where Lynch discusses the Rise of Christendom. This term, used loosely in contemporary theological and seminarian lingo, was more an attitude that spawned a movement, and Lynch skillfully paints the picture of how societal "awareness of "us" sharpened the awareness of "them" and in turn brought about unity although often misplaced (161).

Lynch's text surveys the entire medieval era, from the crumble of the Roman Empire, the infiltration of the Barbarians, the establishment of monastic life, right up to the eve of the reformation, and although not exhaustive, he manages to effectively explicate each movement within the time period. While he acknowledges too little time is given to Eastern Christianity, he fills the gap with several chapters that are not within a chronological structure. These chapters are devoted to an understanding of Monastic life, the Heretics, the Friars, and to the importance of the schools developed in the Medieval Period (xiii). Lynch purposely does not allow the text get too bogged down with people and dates, (although the major kings, popes and theologians are there) for he is more concerned with the narrative of this history and how it has influenced current contemporary ecclesiology and liturgical practices. One chapter in particular is chapter 18, where the sacraments of the Catholic Church are explained historically, theologically and sociologically.

The Lynch text provides a mixture of chronology and people's history. It covers a large span of time without becoming pedantic or predictable. The designation of "brief" in its title allowed the reader to exercise some latitude about abbreviated discussions, yet they were few, although the prelude to the crusades could have been stronger. It is a readable text for the non-scholar, and when accompanied with other polarized texts from the era, helps to provide a scholar or seminarian, with a hands-on manual to the Medieval Church that is accessible yet scholastically sound.

It is a readable text for the non-scholar, and when accompanied with other polarized texts from the era, helps to provide a scholar or seminarian, with a hands-on manual to the Medieval Church that is accessible yet scholastically sound.

Lynch indicates in the preface the text that he desired to provide people with "something both reliable and manageable to read on the medieval church," and from this reader's perspective, he was immensely successful(xii).

Lynch, Joseph H. The Medieval Church a brief history, Longman London and New York
© 1992
Joseph Lynch is Professor of History at Ohio State University.
Lynch present's Christianity as a religion which historical events are important. The presentation of Jesus' life, and teaching was not in philosophical treatises, but in narratives. The gospels included place, time, circumstances, and other elements of history. The humanists' notion of a middle age was generally a negative one. They saw the media aetas as a period of darkness and barbarism separating them from their beloved Rome and Greece. Lynch's main objective in this book was for it to be an introduction for beginners, and to be frank, beginners neither Latin, nor extensive knowledge of modern foreign languages. The church is International, multinational and yet, intimately local. The church was the central institution of the European Middle Ages of the medieval world, and was influenced and untouched by its influence. It shaped the daily round of peasant and magnate alike.
Lynch was selective in the writing he concentrated on the western church and has emphasized ideas and trends over personalities. The notion of the Medieval Christianity in so many attempts to chop history into manageable pieces is a modern one created by historians. There was a pervasive unhappiness with the state of the Church, and also the society as a whole. After a generation of religious strife the medieval Christendom was permanently divided into several major parts (Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican) and numerous smaller groups such as the Anabaptists. The book traces the development of Christianity and the church that embodied it in the Western Europe, from the decline of the Roman empire to the fifteenth century. Lynch emphasis throughout this study is on change, and development for the medieval society.
Although the book is informative, Lynch is more concerned with the movement and ideas than names and dates. He made it very clear that the book is for beginners and the reading must take pace in order to understand where the church is going. The book was brief and to the point, it is a short book and easy to read. It is good book for this study. This book is a good source for a academic lecture, its a smaller book and readable and easy to obtain the information. It would be a good book for a new student studying Church History Joseph H. Lynch splendid book now fills the gap. I agree with Lynch this book can be used for students and non-specialist readers, it is both authoritative and accessible, and its appearance will be widely welcomed.
Ruth