The Spreading Flame: The Rise and Progress of Christianity from its First Beginnings to the Conversion of the English [Paperback]

Frederick Fyvie Bruce (Author), F.F. Bruce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1980

In this history of the early Christian Church, Professor Bruce divides the complex story into three sections. The first, "The Dawn of Christianity," deals with the Church from its infancy to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The second section, "The Growing Day," continues the story up to the accession of Constantine in A.D. 313 and the Church's consequent official status. "Light in the West," the final part, is about Christianity in Rome and its spread to the British Isles after the barbarian invasion. The picture that emerges is of the Church as an unquenchable spiritual force organized for tribulation, whose spiritual resources are never more unlimited than in times of seeming disaster.

A wealth of quotations from Jewish and classical sources, combined with F.F. Bruce's straightforward style, make this book a valuable contribution to the study of the history of the Church.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the work of a most painstaking student and scholar well abreast of the latest historical research.... It shows abundant evidence of wide and careful study and gives us a concise and very readable account of the origins of the Christian Church, its chequered history, the heresies which challenged it, as well as the development of its worship, discipline and government.... It proves a valuable handbook for the theological student and for the ordinary keen Church member." The English Churchman
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

F.F. Bruce (1910--1990) was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester, England. He wrote more than forty commentaries and other widely used books, including Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, The Acts of the Apostles, The Gospel of John, and The Message of the New Testament. He served as general editor of The New International Commentary on the New Testament from 1962 to 1990. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co (January 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802818056
• ISBN-13: 978-0802818058
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #548,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

F. F. Bruce (1910-1990) was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester in England. During his distinguished career, he wrote more than forty bestselling commentaries and books, including several titles published by InterVarsity Press, A Mind for What Matters and Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free. He also served as general editor of The New International Commentary on the New Testament.

Customer Reviews

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic in the Truest Sense, November 17, 2008

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Martin Pitcher "A Nauvoo Pastor" (IL, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Spreading Flame: The Rise and Progress of Christianity from its First Beginnings to the Conversion of the English (Paperback)

I absolutely love this book. Unfortunately it is out-of-print. Dr. Bruce guides you through the early history of the Church using Acts as his backdrop. If you want to get a real feel for the evangelistic fervor of the Apostles and the early Christians you NEED to read this tome.