Rise of Christianity

Rating:
Summary: Excellent survey of the first 600 years of Christianity
Review: Fantastic work, that while historical in nature shows respect for most all of the various factions, sects, 'heresies', etc. during this critical time in the development of the world's top religion (in headcount). I suggest reading it with 'The Other Bible' as a reference book, along with a standard canonical bible.... one can put the non-canonical texts and gospels in perspective with the currently accepted versions, including which sects favored the use of various texts and interpretations. I had to laugh at Frend's description of Paul as 'that indefatigable little man'...surely an understatement for Paul's tireless missions to establish Christianity outside the Jewish race. I can think of no better historical overview and analysis of a very complex topic.

Rating:
Summary: An Important Place to Start
Review: This is not an easy book to read, because it is not a shallow treatment of its subject; it's densely written and highly detailed.

But it is the book that you should start with, because, given the degree of religious partisanship that attends this subject, it's crucial that your first exposure come from a trustworthy source. To all appearances, Frend is such a source; he writes without apparent bias, with abundant humanity, and he ends each chapter with a staggering bibliography of the primary and secondary sources on which he's relied. In fact, the bibliography itself is worth the price of the book.

I predict that if you purchase this book, it will become the standard by which you judge other Church histories.

Rating:
Summary: You Have to Really "Want It"
Review: When I was on the high school football team, breaking my back in the summer drills, my coaches would yell encouragement at us to work hard, for the victories in the fall. "Come on guys, you've gotta' really want it!" The same could be said for the Rise of Christianity. It is a bit of a grind, but when you are done, it will seem worthwhile.

Frend is certainly a master historian. His prose flows smoothly from one topic to the next, and he has a great grasp of primary sources. This book, however is not for the beginner. There are numerous instances where Frend will try to clarify a point by some reference to another event, which, to a beginner, may or may not shed light.

He also uses the John Wayne philosophy of "listen and listen tight, 'cause I'm only gonna' say this once" when he describes a new theological idea. Because it took me several months to get through the book, I found my index worn out by having to refresh my memory on Apollinarianism, or Pelagianism, or any of the other myriad -isms in Christian history. This slowed me down quite a bit.

Like those summer two-a-day training camps in high school, getting through it did prove to be rewarding. The bibliography is great, the time line is very nice, and the book will be a well-used reference in the future.