Why did an atheist read an 1100-page history of Christianity? Because it provided a different perspective on the history of Western civilization, with which it is basically co-extensive, and because I often wondered about how the various Christian denominations relate to each other: Lutherans, Baptists, Armenian Orthodox, African Methodist, Pentecostal.
The author has a sympathetic understanding of the faith without being unduly bound to it. He offers intriguing interpretations of well-known events, such as Luther's protest, and captures how history is driven equally by theology and pure chance. For instance, he suggests that the center of gravity for Christianity was poised to be Constantinople or even Bagdad but for the swift rise of Islam.
The most significant history I learned was about the very existence of Eastern "Miaphysite" Christianity. I always thought the split in 400 - 500 was two-way, between Catholic and Orthodox. I admit that my eyes glazed over during certain eras with their litany of popes, patriarchs, and princes. Inevitable in a story with the scope of this one. I was more interested in the big picture anyway. The book includes an extensive bibliography, so that I can pursue topics that captured my interest (such as the development of Pentecostalism).
The author has a sympathetic understanding of the faith without being unduly bound to it. He offers intriguing interpretations of well-known events, such as Luther's protest, and captures how history is driven equally by theology and pure chance. For instance, he suggests that the center of gravity for Christianity was poised to be Constantinople or even Bagdad but for the swift rise of Islam.
The most significant history I learned was about the very existence of Eastern "Miaphysite" Christianity. I always thought the split in 400 - 500 was two-way, between Catholic and Orthodox. I admit that my eyes glazed over during certain eras with their litany of popes, patriarchs, and princes. Inevitable in a story with the scope of this one. I was more interested in the big picture anyway. The book includes an extensive bibliography, so that I can pursue topics that captured my interest (such as the development of Pentecostalism).
No comments:
Post a Comment