A Short History of Christianity

by Stephen Tomkins

Overview

Worshipped by 2 billion Christians worldwide, Jesus Christ is likely the famous human being ever. Yet comprehending the vast, often fractious, 2000 year story of his followers can be a bewildering task. Stephen Tomkins leads readers on an enjoyable and enlightening journey through the key stages of Christian development, covering the people, the movements, the controversies of the ever-expanding Church.

His "Short History of Christianity" is a penetrating, energetic account sure to please a wide spectrum of those interested in the Christian story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802833822
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	06/09/2006
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	960,006
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

Stephen Tomkins is an experienced journalist who holds aPh.D. in church history from London School of Theology andis a contributing editor to the online humor magazineShip of Fools. He is also the author of Paul andHis World.

Editorial Reviews

Despite its title, this book is not, strictly speaking, a history of Christianity. Instead, Tomkins (John Wesley: A Biography) offers the story of Christianity in narrative form, from its beginnings to the election of Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005. The book is structured into four parts-"As It Was in the Beginning," "The Rise of Rome," "The Reformation," and "Globalization"-and written for a broad, general audience in a style that assumes no knowledge of but rather an interest in Christianity, given its pervasive influence in Western civilization. Tomkins hopes to bring the story of Christianity alive by highlighting its heroes and villains, its highpoints and low points, and its major theological and doctrinal controversies. The result is in part a search for identity, since Christianity has thoroughly permeated the Western cultural institutions that shape all of us, whether Christian or not. Unfortunately, this work seems less an example of solid scholarship than a reflective personal essay, with no footnotes or bibliography, with weaknesses that include authorial biases in the selection and explanation of material. In addition, there are not a few incorrect facts in the review copy. Not recommended.-Pius Charles Murray, Boston Univ. Sch. of Theology Lib. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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