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ahynesa's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for two courses in Christian History. It is an impressive tome chock full of information; a valuable resource. One warning, MacCulloch's biases sometimes get in the way of providing full information and there are plenty of times that an editor could have made the book much better by removing unnecessary snarkiness.
matthewb's review against another edition
5.0
It's hard to review this without overloading with superlatives.
The sheer volume of information contained within it is staggering. You could listen to it on repeat for years and still glean new insights into this remarkable history. Because the history of Europe and the history of Christianity or effectively one and the same up until the last few centuries there is such a vast syllabus of material to cover. Then once the religion expanded globally even more countries and their particular cultures, histories and politics get caught up in the mix.
It has been on my shortlist of big (> 1000 page) "project" books I wanted to read, along with the Bible and [b:A New History of Western Philosophy|14828803|A New History of Western Philosophy|Anthony Kenny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348542984l/14828803._SY75_.jpg|13273658], and there is a sense of accomplishment having finished it, though I have by no means exhausted it.
I would recommend it to anyone who is ready for it - I put it that way because there can be a tension between a blossoming spiritual life and a realisation of the depth of corruption, conflict and politicking that has been ever-present in the life of the Christian church that can stifle a fledgling faith. I probably wouldn't have been ready to read this a few years ago. Having spent a few years around theologically-minded, very smart people, I felt like I had a robust enough foundation to dive into this wasp's nest. Even still, the excoriating reasonableness of the academic historian presents a challenge and forces a pious reader to confront their beliefs with a new appreciation for their various origins, a process which can be unsettling.
But if the God we worship as Christians is the perfection of truth, then assimilating the (at times) ugly earthiness of our faith is ultimately only going to bring us closer to Him.
The sheer volume of information contained within it is staggering. You could listen to it on repeat for years and still glean new insights into this remarkable history. Because the history of Europe and the history of Christianity or effectively one and the same up until the last few centuries there is such a vast syllabus of material to cover. Then once the religion expanded globally even more countries and their particular cultures, histories and politics get caught up in the mix.
It has been on my shortlist of big (> 1000 page) "project" books I wanted to read, along with the Bible and [b:A New History of Western Philosophy|14828803|A New History of Western Philosophy|Anthony Kenny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348542984l/14828803._SY75_.jpg|13273658], and there is a sense of accomplishment having finished it, though I have by no means exhausted it.
I would recommend it to anyone who is ready for it - I put it that way because there can be a tension between a blossoming spiritual life and a realisation of the depth of corruption, conflict and politicking that has been ever-present in the life of the Christian church that can stifle a fledgling faith. I probably wouldn't have been ready to read this a few years ago. Having spent a few years around theologically-minded, very smart people, I felt like I had a robust enough foundation to dive into this wasp's nest. Even still, the excoriating reasonableness of the academic historian presents a challenge and forces a pious reader to confront their beliefs with a new appreciation for their various origins, a process which can be unsettling.
But if the God we worship as Christians is the perfection of truth, then assimilating the (at times) ugly earthiness of our faith is ultimately only going to bring us closer to Him.
patrickkanouse's review
3.0
MacCulloch's history of Christianity is interesting, expansive, and often opinionated. I preferred MacCulloch's more neutral stance in his "The Reformation," for it colors his perspective. Nonetheless, MacCulloch covers Christianity in broadly and with an ability to clarify long forgotten matters of minute theology that were of great import in their time.
Despite this book's size, I still wanted more information (i.e., more history of papal elections over time, etc.), but I am asking for too much, I think in a general history.
Despite this book's size, I still wanted more information (i.e., more history of papal elections over time, etc.), but I am asking for too much, I think in a general history.
tfrohock's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sumptuous history of Christianity. I'm enjoying this as much as I enjoyed God's War. MacCulloch digs deep into the historical origins of Christianity without sugar-coating the facts. Excellent history!
godhelm's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a dense tome of christian history and as comprehensive and extensive as it is, you'll probably need to re-read it. There are just too many strands of history and theology interwoven to have it all stick on one read through. The book should be read side by side with a history of Europe, since the evolution of christianity is so closely linked to the historical political changes, however MacCulloch doesn't make the mistake of seeing everything through the "politics through other means" lens (until, arguably, the end of the book). Theological changes are allowed to be the origin of political change and movements, rather than the reverse.
The weakest part of the book is clearly the last that extends into modern history where it becomes wrapped up in the politics of near history and doesn't have the page count and depth left to substantiate much of what it claims. But it is easily forgivable given the very readable and comprehensive history that precedes it.
The weakest part of the book is clearly the last that extends into modern history where it becomes wrapped up in the politics of near history and doesn't have the page count and depth left to substantiate much of what it claims. But it is easily forgivable given the very readable and comprehensive history that precedes it.
jramm's review against another edition
2.0
This History of Christianity is like walking through a swamp. A disorientingly slow slog.
MacCoulloch does not provide an overarching narrative. The book is a series of fiveish-page essays on (in my opinion) a schizophrenic variety of subjects, tied rather loosely by chronology. One essay covers Russian Orthodoxy and the next jumps over to missionary efforts in Micronesia. The essays provide very little background on each subject. McCoulloch jumps right into discussing ideas, trends, names, and places with very little context. Read individually, the essays are interesting. Read back-to-back, the reader feels mired in mud.
MacCulloch writes from a secular point of view. He does not presuppose that the biblical narrative is historical accurate or unimpeachable. The religious-minded are likely to scoff.
MacCoulloch does not provide an overarching narrative. The book is a series of fiveish-page essays on (in my opinion) a schizophrenic variety of subjects, tied rather loosely by chronology. One essay covers Russian Orthodoxy and the next jumps over to missionary efforts in Micronesia. The essays provide very little background on each subject. McCoulloch jumps right into discussing ideas, trends, names, and places with very little context. Read individually, the essays are interesting. Read back-to-back, the reader feels mired in mud.
MacCulloch writes from a secular point of view. He does not presuppose that the biblical narrative is historical accurate or unimpeachable. The religious-minded are likely to scoff.
stacthor's review against another edition
Over 1000 pages long, and I have it checked out from the library for four weeks - what are my chances, really??