The Early Church: Origins to the Dawn of the Middle Ages

Rating:
Summary: Highly readable early Christianity with great insight
Review: I have personally done much research into what I consider the fascinating world of early Christianity in the post-apostolic period. Unfortunately, much of the literature written on the subject is either in archaic, stuffy style or in an arridly dry scholastic style. Hinson's treatment is a refreshing oasis in a veritable desert of book-paper dust. He has written a concise treatment of an important and lengthy period in the crucial-developmental stage of Christianity saying MORE than voluminous treatments on the subject. The writing is fluid and the pages turn ever so quickly all the while retaining the lessons being conveyed. Hinson also gives us fresh insights with a new angle of looking deeply into the conflicts and debates that arose in the early Christian community that formed the basis of what most Christians believe today. One would almost believe Hinson - in his former life - was a fly on the wall while all this was going on. I was so delighted and energized by reading Hinson's work that upon finishing it I searched for more works by this talented professor with a flair for turning a dry topic into a bubbly-tickle-in-your-nose experience. I do look forward to learning more from Hinson in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Good overview, but inaccurate on many details
Review: I would love to have given this book 5 stars, but I simply couldn't. While Hinson has done an outstanding job of simplifying the circumstances and controversies concering the early church, there are numerous inaccuracies. Without delving into them here, suffice it to say (with E. Ferguson et al) that this book is great for the big picture, not the minutae. I must, however, give Hinson credit where credit is due. He has written a great overview.

Rating:
Summary: This book needs chronology and an index!
Review: While I found this book to be interesting, it was hard to follow and it most definitely needs an index!