History of the Christian Church

Rating:
Summary: Showing its age
Review: Let me begin by stating that I've read only the first volume of this set from cover to cover, having just sampled the others. My review is therefore a bit limited in its scope, particularly since the last volumes were written not by Philip Schaff but by his son, who may have imposed his own style and tone.

Overall I liked the first volume, but as a history of the church it has too many weaknesses to earn a high rating. First of all, Schaff was too much of a Christian to write dispassionately. The book often lapses into what is closer to apologetics than to history, and at times you can almost see him holding his nose when he has to write about (ugh!) pagans. Even more objectionable in my opinion is the presence of numerous passages such as the following:

"As religion is the deepest and holiest concern of man, the entrance of the Christian religion into history is the most momentous of all events. [...] Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the prophet, priest, and king of mankind, is, in fact, the centre and turning-point not only of chronology, but of all history, and the key to all its mysteries. Around him, as the sun of the moral universe, revolve at their several distances, all nations and all important events, in the religious life of the world; and all must, directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously, contribute to glorify his name and advance his cause." (pp. 56-57)

This is a panegyric on the Christian religion, not history. And yet Schaff tells us that "The historian must first lay aside all prejudice and party zeal ..." (p. 25)

Another drawback of this work is its age: it dates from about 1900. Age is not an issue in some forms of writing, but it is felt in this case. For example, Schaff tries to refute a date of 170 AD for the composition of John's Gospel, as was maintained by the Tubingen school in Germany. Decades after Schaff died, it was noticed that a papyrus fragment dating from the first half of the second century in fact contains a few partial verses of John, proving that the 170 AD date is untenable (see Bruce Metzger, "The Text of the New Testament"). Thus, although events proved Schaff correct in his judgment, someone reading only this book would be unaware of the most persuasive piece of evidence. Also, the bibliographic references, which Schaff clearly labored so hard on, are of course over a century old.

In summary, this work shows its age and is often tendentious. However, the reader can find in these volumes a treatment of almost every main personage and significant event in the history of the Christian church.

Rating:
Summary: The best church-history that has ever been published.
Review: Philip Schaff extensively examines the role that the Christian religion had to play in history of the western world. In a non-partial tone the author presents us with a development of the Christian West and points out to the ideas that have influenced our world to this day and that have been a product of a Christian message.

Rating:
Summary: Know your history!
Review: This is a great series for any Christian who would like to know more about the church. Schaff is an amazing writer giving us a theological and philosophical look at sound church history. This book will give the engaged reader sound and intelligent insight not only to know church hisory, but more importantly, a sense of its meaning and beauty.

Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: This series is one of the most informative I've found on any topic. Schaff uses copious footnotes and scripture references to back what he says. He has an authoritative knowledge base and has a firm grip on the early church fathers and ancient church documents. The only complaint I have is that several of the notes in my edition are in Greek, Latin and Hebrew, none of which the typical layman would be well versed in.

Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: This series is one of the most informative I've found on any topic. Schaff uses copious footnotes and scripture references to back what he says. He has an authoritative knowledge base and has a firm grip on the early church fathers and ancient church documents. The only complaint I have is that several of the notes in my edition are in Greek, Latin and Hebrew, none of which the typical layman would be well versed in.

Rating:
Summary: Educate yourself
Review: Want to know Church History this is the best resource for that. I am currently enjoying this set. Wow is all I can say

Rating:
Summary: Educate yourself
Review: Want to know Church History this is the best resource for that. I am currently enjoying this set. Wow is all I can say