Customer Reviews

People of God: The History of Catholic Christianity

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

 

 

For people like me who get lost in the details, The People of God is a godsend. In simple, bold strokes, it tells the story of Roman Catholicism in a way that explores the 2000 year history of the institution without sugar-coating its problems or downplaying its triumphs. The book's style is somewhat reminiscent of the "Dummies" line of guides, including straightforward writing and sidebars to describe particular issues. The book is respectful and even-handed when describing Church crises, including the schism with the Eastern Church, the Reformation and the Inquisition. "Focus" pages help us see Catholicism from the point of view of its adherents, including a pastor of the Dark Ages and an unfortunate lay person summoned before the Inquisition. Saints and heroes get their due, from St. Francis to St. Thomas More to St. Teresa of Avila.

Believe it or not, I used this book as a reference when working toward my Masters in Catholic lay ministry. It's great for keeping straight the plethora of dates, characters and issues that have arisen in the last two millennia.

"People of God" is super for kids of middle school age and above, whether Catholic or not. It will answer many of their serious questions without alienating the Catholics among them from the sometimes all-too-human institution to which they belong.

Do not be deceived by this title. This book rocks. Never have I seen a more concise and clear history of the church ever. Even though the focus of this book is the history of the Roman Catholic Church, I recommend it to all Christians as it teaches a very easy to read walk through of history of the church. It includes everything of how church has evolved and the reasons for the many schisms within the church. No denomination bashing here. Gilles is both Catholic and a historian, but his writings are heavily researched, and includes many truths that all Christians especially Catholics should know. Papal heresies, battle for power and land, theological schisms, and much much more. I have read many books and never have I seen someone be willing to put so much historical truth about the church. Five Stars

For me, this book was a big disappointment. I normally look for books on "history" to simply provide the facts and sources of those facts. To be an author of an effective history book is to be anonymous throughout. Unfortunately the author felt the need to express his opinions on ancient church movements or decisions (i.e his disagreement with papal infallibility, priestly celibacy and ordination of women). By the time I was done with the book, I had a bad taste in my mouth. The author seemed to gloat over the negative history of the Catholic Church, while downplay it's tremendous success or ignore it all together. The author frequently accuses the Church of "remaining in the middle ages" or averting modern growth, but only glances over the Church's tremendous accomplishment in science, law, education (universities), economics, architecture & the Arts. In fact I don't recall reading about it's greatest accomplishment - the discernment and canonization of scripture! Or the Church's magnificient accomplishment, with the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, of preaching the gospel through every evil stumbling block the world has thrown at it.

I gave it one star for good readability and one for his "focus" features. But if you're looking for an unbiased history - look elsewhere (Compact History of the Catholic Church - Shreck, How the Catholic Church built Western Civilization - Woods or Warren Carroll's series). This one's headed for the recycle bin.

This book reeks of the 1970's. Even its title is based in what was then a very popular expression, based in very liberal theology. This book assumes the worst of the Catholic Church in all eras--never mind real historical events. Save your money. If you want real church history, try The Catholic Church, the First 2000 Years: A Popular Survey and Study Guide to Church History. It will give both good and bad in an accurate fashion. The People of God does not.

When I read passages that prove the author is not fully united to the pope and magisterium, I question the whole book. When I read dissident statements by the author, am I reading a dissident slant on historical events? I didn't waste my time once I hit the author's "I know more than Holy Mother Church" sections.

Good book for basic history of Catholic Church. Easy to read, almost conversational, but contains the important highlights (and lowlights) of the Catholic Church. Contains a timeline at the end that is a terrific summary of the information contained in it. It didn't take long to read this.

This book presents the history of the church in an easily read format. It does a good job of moving through 2,000 years of a fairly dry subject in a bullet-point manner. The font is good and easily read and the paper is a heavy stock.

Unfortunately the author had to insert himself into debates on Papal infallibility, women priests, and yada, yada, yada. So it's difficult to recommend this book to new Catholics or people considering conversion.

That said, for people that are solid in the faith and mature enough to ignore the drivel at the end, it does a fairly decent job of covering the history of the church. So I'll give it 3 stars, but be I'd recommend caution about giving this to anyone that isn't already grounded in the faith.

Points out many great "things"

How about, you never meet people that ( have read the bible for themselves, as in on their own ) convert from Christianity to Catholic?

Meaning I have never meet a Catholic that used to be a Christian.

However I have met, and numerous numbers at that, Christians that used to be Catholics.

This is taking into account those who read the bible on their own free will, alone, away from study and or structured organized religion of any kind.

Sample, just about my whole family, immediate and uncle, aunts and many cousins, were raised catholic but have now converted to Christianity. Sure some ( a few left ) are died in the wool Catholics still, and I love them all also, and we continue to lovenly debate. some even tried to switch over to Christianity because others of us have, as in "name only", just to fit in. and thats all fine, all In Gods timing, at least they are open.

But you never hear of a whole family that is raised Christian and converts to Catholics as adults ( when they can better fig things out for themselves )

Another one, ever notice that no one has risen up in the last few hundred years, like Martin Luther did, and said NO this Protest movement is wrong and we all must abolish it and return to Catholicism!

Surely is THOSE book(s) would have been written then we would find them here on Amazon listings right?

Just one book? Anyone care to email me a title? For I have never found one.