Church History Books

St. Augustine Confessions (Oxford World's Classics)

Saint Augustine

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Total reviews: 44 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In his own day the dominant personality of the Western Church, Augustine of Hippo today stands as perhaps the greatest thinker of Christian antiquity, and his Confessions is one of the great works of Western literature. In this intensely personal narrative, Augustine relates his rare ascent from a humble Algerian farm to the edge of the corridors of power at the imperial court in Milan, his struggle against the domination of his sexual nature, his renunciation of secular ambition and marriage, and the recovery of the faith his mother Monica had taught him during his childhood.
Now, Henry Chadwick, an eminent scholar of early Christianity, has given us the first new English translation in thirty years of this classic spiritual journey. Chadwick renders the details of Augustine's conversion in clear, modern English. We witness the future saint's fascination with astrology and with the Manichees, and then follow him through scepticism and disillusion with pagan myths until he finally reaches Christian faith. There are brilliant philosophical musings about Platonism and the nature of God, and touching portraits of Augustine's beloved mother, of St. Ambrose of Milan, and of other early Christians like Victorinus, who gave up a distinguished career as a rhetorician to adopt the orthodox faith. Augustine's concerns are often strikingly contemporary, yet his work contains many references and allusions that are easily understood only with background information about the ancient social and intellectual setting. To make The Confessions accessible to contemporary readers, Chadwick provides the most complete and informative notes of any recent translation, and includes an introduction to establish the context.
The religious and philosophical value of The Confessions is unquestionable--now modern readers will have easier access to St. Augustine's deeply personal meditations. Chadwick's lucid translation and helpful introduction clear the way for a new experience of this classic.

Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Frank Viola, George Barna

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 180 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Um, could you pass me a dish of history, please? 1 out of 5 stars.
7 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Another failed attempt at Restorationism.

I hope this book will spark your interest in the topic, but that you will read more than just this book. If you read my reviews you will know that I rarely review books I don't like, even though I read a fair amount of them. But this one merits a critique because it is so off the historical mark. (And no, I did not waste my money on this, but when a friend had it at his house I couldn't resist a fast read.) It is the typical "me and Jesus" anti-Catholic/Lutheran/Orthodox, anti-tradition pseudo-scholarship that I used to believe and teach wholeheartedly. The only problem is that it isn't true. But to make their points, the authors misuse their sources wildly, including the Holy Scriptures and if you don't know better, you may start to wonder. Here are some basic, general critiques of the author's numerous points, but it is not exhaustive. They have many more mistakes of scholarship that I will not go into.

First off, is traditional church worship in liturgy pagan, as the authors claim? No. Look at what God commands his people to do in the Old Testament regarding worship. Surprise! It looks mighty pagan with vestments and songs and incense. Maybe the pagans had something right. Hmmm, maybe it is because pagans, whatever that means, are humans, too, and God created them and their hearts long to worship even what it doesn't fully know and there are only so many ways to do it, just like other things in our lives that take on a ritualistic element, hrmph! I think St Paul had something to say about that at Mars Hill while talking to actual pagans. Liturgical worship is pleasing to God. Read the OT and Acts and Revelation (now that is liturgy!) to tie it into how the earliest Christians worshipped. And no, Jesus did not somehow cancel out the Jewish forms of worship that his own Father instituted, as the practices of his followers demonstrate. They kept to the feasts, the prayers and the breaking of bread, still going to temple to pray. Were the apostles the first Paganized Christians? So much for the Spirit leading them into all truth, or is the publication of this book what that verse meant? I think not.

Secondly, you better be careful when you start playing the "Constantine did it" game, claiming he is the cause for so much of the pagan creepage. Think about the formation of the NT canon and then consider what so many scholars, like Bart Ehrman, do with that knowledge. If you follow their reasoning, and the reasoning of these two authors, then the doctrine of the Trinity is pagan and political, along with the canon of Scripture and the Council of Nicaea, when Jesus supposedly "became God". But our authors don't want to take it that far for obvious reasons, so they pick and choose what to blame the Emperor for, deciding to have their cake and eat it, too.

Thirdly, to say that having a building set aside for worship is pagan is like saying that reading and writing are pagan. It just doesn't follow and you cannot pretend that Acts' house-churches, which did have liturgies, however, are somehow the norm for all ages to come. Where does the bible teach that? Nowhere, of course, because the authors are flatly wrong again. There are buildings set aside for the purpose before the Peace, too. Besides, the houses where they worshipped early on became churches in the sense that they always worshipped there in the same manner, or in the tombs (uh oh, sounds a little pagan again), so in that sense they were churches that functioned as homes when not in use as a church.

Pagans talk about a Logos, so the Logos of St John is pagan. Pagans baptize, so baptism is pagan. Pagans speak Greek, so Greek is pagan. You see where this goes, and quickly. And who decides where it ends? The authors, or you, or me. You see, in this model we all read our bibles which tell us what to believe and you and I disagree so we act like our own popes and know in our hearts what is true. Thankfully, however, the bible is not meant to function like the Quran and it is the product of the Church that decided which books were in and which were out, based upon their usage in liturgical (pagan?) worship.

Fourthly, saying that there was no hierarchy in the NT seems to forget the role not only of Apostles, but also of the elders and overseers. See Elders in Every City: The Origin an Role of the Ordained Ministry for a better review of the material.

Lastly, I love how their ideal church structure is amazingly non-denominational Protestant in a curiously American Restorationist flavor. Hmm, it seems that they have been influenced by the pagan culture around them. Bring on the guitars and drums and open bibles and no-one-leading-anything worship going and in two weeks you will, even there, have a untraditional tradition begin to emerge, but in this case it will be amazingly tacky and probably heretical.

For an alternative view, please consider reading the following: The book of Revelation, Evangelical Is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament, The Didache: Text, Translation, Analysis, and Commentary, The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, Constantine's Bible: Politics And the Making of the New Testament, Against the Protestant Gnostics, Retrieving the Tradition and Renewing Evangelicalism: A Primer for Suspicious Protestants, Tradition, Scripture, and Interpretation: A Sourcebook of the Ancient Church (Evangelical Ressourcement: Ancient Sources for the Church's Future), Evangelicals and Tradition: The Formative Influence of the Early Church, Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians",Orthodox Worship: A Living Continuity With the Temple, the Synagogue and Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian. Each of these books deserve to be read by you if you have any inkling of interest on this very important subject.

Editorial Review:

Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, choirs, and seminaries? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles. Coauthors Frank Viola and George Barna support their thesis with compelling historical evidence in the first-ever book to document the full story of modern Christian church practices.

Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be

Kevin DeYoung, Ted Kluck

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Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

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“You can be young, passionate about Jesus Christ, surrounded by diversity, engaged in a postmodern world, reared in evangelicalism and not be an emergent Christian. In fact, I want to argue that it would be better if you weren’t.”

The Emergent Church is a strong voice in today’s Christian community. And they’re talking about good things: caring for the poor, peace for all men, loving Jesus. They’re doing church a new way, not content to fit the mold. Again, all good. But there’s more to the movement than that. Much more.

Kevin and Ted are two guys who, demographically, should be all over this movement. But they’re not. And Why We’re Not Emergent gives you the solid reasons why. From both a theological and an on-the-street perspective, Kevin and Ted diagnose the emerging church. They pull apart interviews, articles, books, and blogs, helping you see for yourself what it’s all about.

The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation (Story of Christianity)

Justo L. Gonzalez

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Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Story of Christianity, Volume 1, is an informative, interesting, and consistently readable narrative history. It brings alive the people, dramatic events, and ideas that shaped the first fifteen centuries of Europe, such as the Spanish and Portuguese conquest of the New World. Historian Justo Gonzalez shows how various social, political, and economic movements affected Christianity's internal growth.

Gonzalez skillfully weaves in relevant details from the lives of prominent figures from the apostles to John Wycliffe, tracing out core theological issues and developments as reflected in the lives and struggles of leading thinkers within the various traditions of the church. "The history of the church, while showing all the characteristics fo human history, is much more than the history of an institution or movement," Gonzalez stresses. "It is a history of the deeds of the spirit in and through the men and women who have gone before in the faith." The Story of Christianity demonstrates at each point what new challenges and opportunities faced the church, and how Christians struggled with the various options open to them, thereby shaping the future direction of the church.

The Story of Christianity will serve as a fascinating introduction to the panoramic history of Christianity for students and teachers of church history, for pastors, and for general readers.

The Apostles

Pope Benedict XVI

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Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Through the Apostles, we come to Jesus himself." -- Pope Benedict XVI

In this fascinating and inspirational journey with the chosen disciples of Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI demonstrates a profound, unbreakable continuity -- built upon the foundation of the Apostles and alive in the succession of the Apostles -- by which Christ is present today in His Church.

"At the start of the third millennium, my beloved predecessor John Paul II invited the Church to contemplate the Face of Christ (cf. Novo Millennio Ineunte, n. 16 ff.). Continuing in the same direction, I would like to show in this book how it is precisely the light of that Face that is reflected on the face of the Church (cf. Lumen Gentium, n. 1), notwithstanding the limits and shadows of our fragile and sinful humanity. After Mary, a pure reflection of the light of Christ, it is from the Apostles, through their word and witness, that we receive the truth of Christ. Their mission is not isolated, however, but is situated wthin a mystery of communion that involves the entire People of God and is carried out in stages from the Old to the New Covenant." -- From The Apostles

Catholicism for Dummies

John Trigilio, Kenneth Brighenti

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Total reviews: 90 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

There are more than one billion Catholics in the world, and each one has a similar set of basic beliefs and practices that he or she follows. Some of the teachings of Catholicism are thousands of years old, while others are more recent. So what is the Catholic culture like and what do they believe? Catholicism For Dummies answers these and many other questions.

Whether you’re a Catholic or not, you may be totally clueless or just unaware of some aspects of Catholic traditions, history, doctrine, worship, devotion, or culture. No sweat. Regardless of whether you’re engaged, married, related to a Catholic, or just curious about what Catholics really do believe, this book is for you.

Catholicism For Dummies is not a catechism or religious textbook, but a casual, down-to-earth introduction for non-Catholics and reintroduction for Catholics. It gives commonsense explanations so that the next time you’re invited to a Catholic wedding, Baptism, funeral, Confirmation, or First Communion, you won’t be totally confused. You’ll also discover other important topics that can help you better understand the Catholic culture—from morality and devotions to worship and liturgy. This book will familiarize you with Catholicism by showing you:

• What it means to be a Catholic: traditions, prayers, beliefs, and holidays
• Who is who in the Catholic hierarchy
• How Catholics worship
• What the Seven Sacraments and Ten Commandments are
• The book regarded as the holiest to Catholics: The Bible
• The Church’s stand on some sticky issues

Catholicism For Dummies presents a rich tapestry and history of the Catholic faith—from devotions to doctrines. This intelligent and faithful look at Catholicism will open your eyes to this religion and answer many of the questions you may have about it.

Confessions (Penguin Classics)

Saint Augustine of Hippo

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Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Worthwhile even for agnostics 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 15 people found this review helpful.

Before reading any St. Augustine, I had formed an image of him as an intolerant puritan, almost Taliban-esque. As an agnostic, I did not at all expect to find him a sympathetic figure. The "Confessions," however, reveal a warmly human, hugely intelligent man, relating his own open-minded spiritual journey, which included way-stops at Manicheeism and neo-Platonism. Augustine formulated his religious and ethical systems through careful deliberation and observation, aided by an epiphany or two; his is not a story of blind, unthinking faith or of mysterious visions. His concept of God seems little different from the Chinese concept of the Tao, and his concept of grace little different from the Buddhist concept of enlightenment. Thus, there is considerable interest in his viewpoint even for non-Catholics, non-Christians, and non-believers.

In addition, this book also constitutes an autobiography of material existence in the waning years of the Western Roman Empire, and thus should be of great interest to any classicist. Little examples: Augustine confirms that, at least around 400 A.D., the normal way to read, even among the most highly literate, was aloud; Ambrose's habit of reading silently to himself inspires considerable comment and speculation. We learn that high school students were rowdy, then as now. The Roman Emperor didn't seem to matter much in the lives of citizens.

The Penguin translation by Mr. Pine-Coffin is excellent and very readable. He avoids the archaic "thou's" that plague many translations. Regrettably, the cover material chooses to emphasize the translator's status as a Roman Catholic as his single most important attribute, and his introductory comments are likely to strike non-Catholics as intolerant. Skip over that, and get right into Augustine's writing itself.

Documents of the Christian Church

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Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Since its first publication in 1967, this collection of writings from the most important moments in the history of Christianity has established itself as a classic work. Now incorporating a wealth of new material, this new edition will be an essential reference source for anyone interested in the history of the Christian Church.
While retaining the original material selected by Henry Bettenson, Chris Maunder has added a substantial section of more recent writings. These new entries illustrate the Second Vatican Council; the theologies of liberation; Church and State from 'Thatcher's Britain' to Communist Eastern Europe; Black, feminist, and ecological theology; ecumenism; and inter-faith dialogue. The emphasis on moral debate in the contemporary Churches is reflected in selections dealing with modern issues such as homosexuality, divorce, AIDS, and in-vitro fertilization. With the publication of this new edition, Documents of the Christian Church provides insights into the whole 2000 years of Christian theological and political debate.

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

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Total reviews: 50 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Well-Done United States Catechism 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This catechism is an "adaptation of the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church,' and is presented to Catholics of the United States, who are members of both Latin and Eastern Churches..." although this catechism is only intended to introduce Latin Christians to Eastern traditions, since it is expected that Eastern Rites will eventually develop their own catechisms. The arrangement of the U.S. Catechism follows that of the universal catechism: the Creed, the Sacraments, Moral Life, and Prayer. Like the universal catechism, it also specifically addresses major aspects of Catholic faith and morality.

So if this catechism is simply an adaptation of the excellent universal catechism, then why even bother with it? I think the best reason to get the U.S. Catechism is its helpful layout and user-friendly presentation. Rather than being a series of numbered points (like the universal catechism), the U.S. Catechism is laid out more like your average non-fiction book, making it possibly more approachable than other catechisms. There are helpful gray boxes spread throughout the book that highlight points from the regular text. Each chapter begins with a biography of a major Catholic figure, many which are important to the development of American Catholicism. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions, concise "doctrinal points" (i.e. what Catholics are expected to believe), meditations (from the Scriptures, Church Fathers, etc), and prayers. Appendix A is a helpful glossary of Catholic terms, and Appendix B is a collection of basic Catholic prayers. All of this means that the U.S. Catechism is a self-contained textbook, useful in a variety of Catholic adult education situations.

Overall, this is a fine catechism that certainly meets its goal of being a local adaptation of the universal catechism. While in the past, the United States Catholic Bishops have been accused of watering-down Catholic Teaching, the U.S. Catechism does not contradict, or water down, what is taught in the universal catechism. Thus, I hope that the U.S. Catechism is used regularly in RCIA classes, marriage-preparation classes, and other adult education situations. While this catechism is excellent, I would still recommend owning both the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church and The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, since the U.S. Catechism is based on these works.

Editorial Review:

The presence of the Catholic Church in the United States reaches back to the founding days of our country through the leadership of Archbishop John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States. His story, like other stories at the start of the chapters in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, gives us a glimpse into the lives of Catholics who lived out their faith throughout our country's history. To listen to an audio sample.

They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations

Dan Kimball

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Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Life Changing Book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

A life changing book with a real honest (and solution based) look at the church. I highly recommend this book. May it give all who read it insight into this mission field we call the United States.

Heresy 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Dan Kimball says he needs to edit The Bible by tearing out pages.

Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

they like Jesus but not the church 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We are using this book for our Young Marrieds & Singles class on Sunday mornings and it has been a good fit so far. There are a lot of things in it that are obviously going to make people uncomfortable but I think that they are things that all need to be said and understood if we are going to be able to reach today's generation.

Editorial Review:

An overview of the six most common objections emerging generations have with church and Christianity along with the biblical answers to these objections and examples of how churches are facing this challenge.