A treatment of the evolution of Christian thought from the birth of Christ, to the Apostles, to the early church, to the great flowering of Christianity across the world. The first volume introduces the central figures and debates culminating in the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon among which the theologies of the early church were hammered out.

In this fully revised and updated edition, the lauded church historian Justo GonzÁlez tells the story of Christianity from its fragile infancy to its pervasive dominance at the dawn of the Protestant Reformation. The Story of Christianity, volume 1, relates the dramatic events, the colorful characters, and the revolutionary ideas that shaped the first fifteen centuries of the church's life and thought. From Jesus's faithful apostles to the early reformist John Wycliffe, GonzÁlez skillfully weaves details from the lives of prominent figures tracing core theological issues and developments within the various traditions of the church. 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. This new edition of The Story of Christianity incorporates recent archaeological discoveries to give us a better view of the early Christian communities. Among these are advances in the recovery of Gnostic texts that have revealed a richer diversity of "Christianities" in the first century. GonzÁlez also includes important research done in the past twenty-five years revealing the significant role of women throughout the history of the church. With lively storytelling incorporating the latest research, The Story of Christianity provides a fascinating introduction to the panoramic history of Christianity.

Excerpt from The History of Christianity, Vol. 1 of 3: From the Birth of Christ to the Abolition of Paganism in the Roman Empire This new edition of the History of Christianity has been revised throughout. A few passages have been added, chiefly in the notes; a few slightly enlarged. In general, I have not found much, after a period of above twenty years, which I should wish to retract or to modify. Some objection was raised, on the first publication of the work, against the commencement of the History of Christianity with the Life of Christ. I thought then, and still think, that life to be an integral and inseparable part of the History. It appeared to me necessary to the completeness of the History to trace it to its primal origin; to show that the Gospels, our only documentary authorities, offer a clear and distinct relation of that life, with no greater variation than might reasonably be expected from four separate and independent narratives, drawn up by different writers, at different times and places, and by one at least from a different point of view; that this relation accords in every respect with all that we know of the events, circumstances, manners, usages, opinions, of the age and country; that its religious signification, and, in part, supernatural character, in no way conflict, but are, rather, in full and perfect harmony, with its simple truth and reality. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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.

Church History in three volumes is an account of the Christian Church written by prominent Lutheran theologian Johann Heinrich Kurtz. The work comprises ecclesiastical history from its beginnings to the end of 19th century. First part of the book covers the period from pre-Christian era and the founding of the Church by Christ and his Apostles to the 10th century. Second part spans from Christian missionary enterprises and the Crusades to Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. The final part covers the years from 17th to 19th century and what Christian church went through in that period.

Excerpt from The History of the Christian Religion and Church During the Three First Centuries, Vol. 1 of 2 The history of the Christian Church is a cheering subject for the contemplation of a Christian heart. It may indeed suit the Would-be philosopher to gather arguments against Christianity itself from the dissensions among Christians; but a deeper insight into man's nature and his destinies would read a differ ent lesson from the same page. The history of the Christian Church records, we allow, much of the weakness of human nature, but at the same time it records still more of its strength, when that strength is aided by those high principles which Christianity alone imparts to man. However weak the hu man instruments may have been, with which God wrought, their weakness proves his strength. It is almost impossible not to recognise the hand of God in the rise and progress of the Church. From its earliest infancy, when with godlike strength it strangled the serpents that assailed it, the guidance of God's providence was over it; and through oppression, persecution, contempt, and poverty, it struggled ou, under that guidance to the full ripeness of manly vigour. In the earlier ages of the Church God's protection is more visible; even the eye that seeks it not, can hardly fail to find it there, unless that eye be dimmed to all the dealings of God in the world, unless with Epicurean view it sees in God a being far from any one of as. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.