A History of Christianity

Rating:
Summary: Readable History of the Church
Review: Johnson's book is very readable besides its very ambitious scope. He presents history of christianity in a very unbiased way. His emphasis of Christian Renaissance, his criticism of the way some Christian missionary activity was carried out and his tremendous ability to describe both the intellectual evolution of the Catholic church as well as its relationship to each historic period make this book the very best introduction to the historical development of Christianity.

Rating:
Summary: A powerful work of scholarship
Review: Johnson's history of christianity is simply a masterpiece. The book will not let down the reader that not only want to learn about the rise and evolution of christianity but also wants to take some lessons out of it. Written with sincerity, though Johnson is an english catholic, the book describes the most important periods of christianity depicting the major trends and changes in the history of the religion that shaped the spirit of the western culture. Johnson's chronicle starts with the birth of a jew in an obscure corner of the Roman empire and ends when Paul VI becomes pope, and so it leaves the reader without almost the last 30 years of history. However, this book is a must read: the way Johnson gathers the facts of history together in order to describe the main trends and seizures is magnificent. Therefore, through a pleasant reading, one learns, for instance, the evangelization of Europe, the struggle for power between the pope and the european rulers in the middle ages, the causes and consequences of the reform and the wars of religion, how the secularization process started in the western world during the XVIII century, and many other things. The books shows also the evolution of the philosophical and social perspectives on christianity, from Agustin to John XXIII, and through the work of personalities like Thomas, Inocentius III, Beckett, Erasmus, Luther, Pascal, Locke, Leon III, Pius X, among others. Finally, two strengths must be emphasized. First, the book shows how the history of the last 500 years of christianity has been shaped by two antagonical forces: on one side, humanist and liberal forces (developed by people like Erasmus and John XXIII), and on the other side, ultra-conservative and retrograde forces (represented by Pius X for example). The book's second strength is the analysis of the XX century period (up to 1970's). There Johnson condemns brilliantly Pius XII's undersantable but unforgivable cowardness during Nazi rule in Europe and shows the dramatic changes that led to the second Vatican council and the unresolved problems left after the council finished. In the end, Johnson says, the way the catholic church will lead with these unresolved problems (for example about the government and decision-making within the church) will be one of the most important factors shaping the history of christianity for the next decades.

Rating:
Summary: Complex, and overly complicated for a survey work
Review: Make no mistake, Johnson has written a fantastic book. However, if you are not already familiar with some of the basic dogmas of early Church history, this book may not be a good place to start. I suggest reading David Chidester's recent book before starting on Johnson. You should also know that Johnson (and Chidester) completely ignore the existence of any of the Eastern Orthodox denominations. Jaroslav Pelikan remains the only serious scholar to include the Orthodox in his survey of Christianity.

Rating:
Summary: Complex, and overly complicated for a survey work
Review: Make no mistake, Johnson has written a fantastic book. However, if you are not already familiar with some of the basic dogmas of early Church history, this book may not be a good place to start. I suggest reading David Chidester's recent book before starting on Johnson. You should also know that Johnson (and Chidester) completely ignore the existence of any of the Eastern Orthodox denominations. Jaroslav Pelikan remains the only serious scholar to include the Orthodox in his survey of Christianity.

Rating:
Summary: Sorry, definetly the best History of Christianity around
Review: Of all the history of Christianity (or related books) I've read, which are not that much (maybe 20 or so), this is definitely the best of all. Paul Johnson has written (as always) an erudite History, not a flawless one, but if you want more "before Christ" history, you can always read his "History of the Jews"; if you want a strictly unbiased history... well, I really don't now a less unbiased one than Johnson's.

The book is dense, plagued with data, and has a writing style of the intellectual Johnson is. If you are not intimidated with all of this (not that you should), this is definitely "the book for you". I totally recommend it as a non-specialist-history of religion lover.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful insights on every page
Review: One of my favourite books. Paul is a brilliant populist historian (no idea how he rates with the 'official' community). But the reader should know he is a committed Catholic. Nontheless, anyone from Anglican to athiest would find this a dazzling read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent work by Johnson, historian and mistress-spanker
Review: Paul Johnson is easily the best pop-historian writing today. He's so good, his books almost qualify as serious academics- really the only thing that keeps them "popular" literature is their astonishingly ambitious scope, far too wide to facilitate truly serious study. But it is this breadth of scope which I love most about them. Johnson writes these sweeping studies of peoples, movements and centuries that provide a framework for understanding that is simply invaluable. In his History of Christianity, he has done it again.

I've heard that Johnson is Roman Catholic, but he doesn't come across that way in his book. He's very unbiased toward any one tradition. But that's not to say he's an impartial observer. He alternately lambastes and praises almost every major figure in church history from Augustine to John Calvin to the spineless Pius XII.

The narrative is constructed as a tension between the forces of humanism in the church, and the more conservative elements. Both sides have had their problems, often springing from dogmatism and overzealous application of their own philosophies to the lives of others, through the instrument of the state. Of all the personalities treated in the book, his favorite seems to be Erasmus, who he sees as almost the ideal Christian- intellectual, but with conviction, open-minded, but with a foundation for his thought.

There's not much pre-A.D. history provided as background in the book, but this doesn't detract from the quality of the history that is given. I assume that A History of Christianity takes up where Johnson's History of the Jews left off, so I plan on reading it before long. My only real regrets about this book are that it doesn't deal more with the Eastern Orthodox church and that it ends in 1970. I'm also interested in reading an academic study of American fundamentalism, a movement which I find fascinating in its strangeness, although Johnson only touches on it briefly here. I'd highly recommend A History of Christianity to anyone with even a passing interest in church history. The context it provides for further study is invaluable and the book, although a long read, is a delight.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent work by Johnson, historian and mistress-spanker
Review: Paul Johnson is easily the best pop-historian writing today. He's so good, his books almost qualify as serious academics- really the only thing that keeps them "popular" literature is their astonishingly ambitious scope, far too wide to facilitate truly serious study. But it is this breadth of scope which I love most about them. Johnson writes these sweeping studies of peoples, movements and centuries that provide a framework for understanding that is simply invaluable. In his History of Christianity, he has done it again.

I've heard that Johnson is Roman Catholic, but he doesn't come across that way in his book. He's very unbiased toward any one tradition. But that's not to say he's an impartial observer. He alternately lambastes and praises almost every major figure in church history from Augustine to John Calvin to the spineless Pius XII.

The narrative is constructed as a tension between the forces of humanism in the church, and the more conservative elements. Both sides have had their problems, often springing from dogmatism and overzealous application of their own philosophies to the lives of others, through the instrument of the state. Of all the personalities treated in the book, his favorite seems to be Erasmus, who he sees as almost the ideal Christian- intellectual, but with conviction, open-minded, but with a foundation for his thought.

There's not much pre-A.D. history provided as background in the book, but this doesn't detract from the quality of the history that is given. I assume that A History of Christianity takes up where Johnson's History of the Jews left off, so I plan on reading it before long. My only real regrets about this book are that it doesn't deal more with the Eastern Orthodox church and that it ends in 1970. I'm also interested in reading an academic study of American fundamentalism, a movement which I find fascinating in its strangeness, although Johnson only touches on it briefly here. I'd highly recommend A History of Christianity to anyone with even a passing interest in church history. The context it provides for further study is invaluable and the book, although a long read, is a delight.

Rating:
Summary: a balanced assessment of a much maligned faith
Review: The British historian Paul Johnson has often applied his talents fleshing out details on historical periods that often seem to cast a superficial gloss in the modern mythologies promoted nowadays. Mr Johnson's frequently insightful analysis of various periods and historical figures correct many of the misleading or erroneous impressions gleaned from other less careful sources. Although his vocabulary requires a hunt for the dictionary more often than other authors, such effort is rewarded with the fascinating prose and delightful anecdotes that educate and enlighten in extensive chapters but without tedium. Though this history is not always complimentary, Johnson points out that Christianity identifies truth with faith: "A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts."

_A_History_of_Christianity_ outlines the rise and propagation of a small Jewish sect from a milieu ready for a religion centered on faith and salvation, but lacking the nationalist imperatives of its origin. Jesus--an itinerant preacher proclaiming salvation through faith and love--was crucified by the Romans with the approval of religious and civil authorities. The apostle Paul led the way in spreading the gospel outside Judaea, and according to Johnson, rescued Christianity from being absorbed into Judaism by separating its theology from the law. The Hellenic world of the Roman empire thirsted for a monotheistic universal belief-oriented yet historically determined religion--and the apostles met this need vigorously for the clear road to salvation appealed to persons of all classes and nations.

Unfortunately, as the faith expanded, heresy also flourished--some converts strayed because of misunderstandings caused by language differences, others from misinterpretations of oral tradition. Christianity began in controversy and schism and only gradually were errors in doctrine partially expunged. As the faith matured, orthodoxy developed and a clergy became established. Apologists came forward to expound Christianity and its Church including such talented men in the third, fourth and fifth centuries as Origen, Cyprian, Tertullian, Eusibius and St Augustine. The emperor Constantine presided over the Council of Nicea in 325, so that Christianity received official approval.

Unfettered from Roman persecution, the faith was extended northward through Europe, primarily through conversion of secular leaders. As the schism between Constantinople and Rome exacerbated and as the Dark Ages descended, Christian scribes busied themselves in copying selected texts, thereby preserving much of the ancient writings available today. The Church, whatever its failings, provided an anchor of civilization. However, a new competitor arrived on the scene--Islam--which swept through much of the area of the early Church, and whose adherents proved far more resistant to conversion than primitive pagans heretofore.

Johnson explains that during the Middle Ages, the Church labored to create the total Christian society--with unity of purpose between secular and religious authorities. Western Europe gained in strength in the eleventh century and decided on challenging Islam by embarking on the crusades and recapturing the Holy Land. After considerable bloodshed and atrocities, the knights were successful, albeit temporarily. Back in Europe, as civil authorities lost control over their territories or became unstable, heresy was thought to flourish. Torture came into wide practice against the accused, and many of the condemned were burned.

Gradually by the sixteenth century, as the threat of schism loomed--resulting from resentment from secular magistrates over abuses of clerical privilege--several reformers made attempts to restore the faith and lessen if not end corruption. Erasmus, for example, wrote extensively trying to persuade rulers and laymen alike of the irenic formula and to abandon mechanical Christianity and end compulsory conversion. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuit order to render intellectual defense of Catholicism. The schisms of Martin Luther and Jean Calvin were introduced and quickly adopted by several ruling princes. As reason gradually supplanted dogma, the power of the clergy waned and Christianity began to be centered around salvation for faithful individuals and less on political order. The Christian conscience destroyed the institutional tyrannies, and as Johnson relates, "it is thus no accident that all the implementations of freedom throughout the world have ultimately a Christian origin."

The universal faith was not widely proselytized until the Age of Discovery as Europeans sailed around Africa and to Asia and the Americas. While colonization and mining provided the primary motivation for many venturers, the faith was nonetheless carried abroad, though usually displaying European customs of worship. Where Islam or Buddhism or other creed received support from the local authorities, Christianity made little headway. Even in Japan, where devotion was strong, the government ruthlessly exterminated the practice in the seventeenth century. But where primitive pagan religions existed heretofore, Christianity took hold, either through conversion in Latin American and Africa, or by settlers supplanting the native peoples, as in North America.

The Christian search for and belief in universal truth, and the temporal struggle over secular matters finally led to a dichotomy between the faith and the new promotion of scientific inquiry. By the nineteenth century, study of the physical world had led to contradictions with a literal interpretation of the scriptures. This divergence created a crisis yet to be resolved--namely, does man have a purpose if there is no God and no salvation from sin? The public apostasy in society--this renunciation of Christianity--has yielded the fruits in this century of totalitarian regimes bent on enslaving human beings for wicked ends. Even democratic societies have experienced a loss of moral conscience as people abandon faith to seek carnal pleasures. Johnson summarizes these thoughts: "In the last generation, with public Christianity in headlong retreat, we have caught our first, distant view of a de-Christianized world, and it is not encouraging. We know that Christian insistence on man's potentiality for good is often disappointed; but we are also learning that man's capacity for evil is almost limitless... Man is imperfect with God. Without God, what is he?" With a better understanding of our heritage, Christians can build on the triumphs of our forebearers and rectify their mistakes from unwise actions in order to renew the faith where it was lost and carry it forth to the ends of the earth as Jesus instructed.

Rating:
Summary: Too much information
Review: The late Paul Johnson liked to write thick books that are difficult to read, but quite complete on each subject. If you need one reference on the history of Christianity, this is the one.