History And The Church

[Brother Adam]

Well, it's been almost a year and a half now, and while I've barely scratched the surface of Catholicism, I've got the basics on doctrine and scripture down pat.

So my next move is to go from the scriptures to history.

Ah yes, fallible, biased, historical texts.

I'm going to go for one "Catholic" text, one secular, and one "Fundamental". I'm hoping between the three some truth will come out. I'll also take the time to really delve into the Church Fathers.

The first book I have decided on is "Church History in Plain Language". I read through part of the book on some of the papal stuff, and the book says it is "not for this text to try to prove or disprove any doctrine or whether anyone was right or wrong, only to present history, as best as we know it".

So, pick a book.

As soon as I'm done with Hail, Holy Queen which Carson Weber mailed to me, I'll be onto that one.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote]So, pick a book. [/quote]Were you asking us to recommend books?
Just in case:

1. Warren H. Carroll's books on Church history. (Catholic)
2. Eusebius' history of the early Church. (Catholic - Church Father)
3. Henry Chadwick's history of the early Church. (Secular? Not sure what he is)
4. Books by Hilaire Belloc (Catholic)
5. One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. By Kenneth D. Whitehead.
6. Popular History of the Catholic Church, by Philip Hughes
7. Triuph. I haven't read it but I hear it's good.

Non-catholic: Jarolslav Pelikan's texts. The penguin series (of which chadwicks book is part). Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark A. Noll


I don't think that book "Church History in Plain Language" is that great but I've never read it. I think I know the book though, it's protestant isn't it?

I just looked at the table of contents online and it seems strange to me. I don't think it's that big of a deal, but I would definitely read other sources as well.

Peace.

Edited March 13, 2004 by Laudate_Dominum

[God Conquers]

For secular sources I would suggest thinks written in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when historicism was at it's peak. These are generally VERY unbiased histories because the writers at the time, especially German and American, were historical purists.

[dUSt]

TRIUMPH by Crocker is a great book. I'd recommend that, definitely. Not only is it an overview of the entire 2000 year histroy of the Church, it's entertaining to read, because it's well written.

[Theoketos]

McGrath usual does a good job.

I read his Reformation reader and was throughly impressed.

He is not Catholic, but Honest.

Also "Witness to Hope" by George Wiegel, is a excellent recent history of the Church!

[Theoketos]

Oh yeah And St. Ignatius of Anitoch written 100 Annos Domini.

He said that were the Bishop is there the Church is. He Died for saying that.

[Brother Adam]

Being a "beginner" in Church history, my first book gives a good overview. It's a good starting point it seems like.

Unfortunately L_D, I don't have time to read dozens of books. It sounds like Dust may have a good one to offer?

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Mar 13 2004, 09:12 AM'] Being a "beginner" in Church history, my first book gives a good overview. It's a good starting point it seems like.

Unfortunately L_D, I don't have time to read dozens of books. It sounds like Dust may have a good one to offer? [/quote]
Yeah, most of us don't.. Sorry for giving so many books, it's just that I don't know of any one book that is adequate. Maybe the one dUSt recommended is the best? I keep hearing good things about it. I've never read it myself.
Peace.

[MC Just]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Mar 13 2004, 01:41 AM'] TRIUMPH by Crocker is a great book. I'd recommend that, definitely. Not only is it an overview of the entire 2000 year histroy of the Church, it's entertaining to read, because it's well written. [/quote]
I love that book. Especially the part about Luther and poo fights with the devil. lol

[Ellenita]

[quote]Henry Chadwick's history of the early church. (Secular, not sure what he is)[/quote]

I believe he was an Anglican.

[phatcatholic]

bro adam...................r u still delving into the history of the Church? if so, how is that going so far?

[Brother Adam]

I'm still working on Hail, Holy Queen. Church History is next.

[popestpiusx]

Definately Warren Carroll's History of Christendom series. Also Fr. John Laux has a good Church history book. It is published by Tan Books. Triumph is supposed to be good. It's benefit is that it is relatively short.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

"Triumph" is very good.

Also, although it's not all history, I recommend the "Catholic Source Book" by Fr. PEter Klein. It's a compendium of Catholic prayers, some Canon Law, some Apologetics, some Tradition and traditions, a lot of saints, legends, and parables, etc.

[Carson Weber]

Adam, go for [u]The Compact History of the Catholic Church[/u] by Dr. Alan Schreck.

It's small, it's concise, it's an easy read.. I would read that first and foremost and then move on to something heavier like..

[u]Upon This Rock[/u] by Stephen Ray.

I do not recommend [u]Triumph[/u] because it is Triumph-alistic, reads ecclesial history from almost solely a political point-of-view, and is off the mark on some things (e.g. the Reformation). He's also uncharitable - needlessly - in regard to the Eastern Orthodox. The book is good for its audience: Catholics who need an ego booster.