Catholic Church History From A To Z

Church history, someone has wisely observed, is theology teaching by example. Our knowledge of the Catholic faith is immeasurably broadened and deepened by studying twenty centuries of Catholic experience. In this book, Dr. Alan Schreck surveys the Church's past from Abelard to Zwingli, introducing the reader to hundreds of fascinating people, places, events, ideas, institutions, and movements that have made their mark on our spiritual heritage and shaped the Church as we know it today. Each entry in this highly readable inspirational dictionary places a subject not just in its historical context, but also in the context of faith, pointing to its significance for contemporary Catholics.

With more than a billion faithful, Catholicism is the world's premier religion. It is yet more significant as its impact reaches around the world. However, like most religions, it is not always easy to fathom, not even for initiates. This book is a fine summary of the beliefs, rites, events, movements, memorable popes, saints, and other key persons in Catholic history. A lively introduction summarizes Church history from the time of Christ, through the various schismatic movements, to present- day Catholicism in the U.S. The A to Z entries also focus on theology and doctrine, providing balanced coverage of controversies. An excellent student resource, user-friendly, and the ideal starting place for research assignments.

This history of the Catholic church tells the story of the 2,000-year relationship between Jesus and the believers who have followed him. It is a story of people -- peasants and popes, saints and heretics, martyrs and apostates -- and how the faith has been passed down throughout the ages, generation to generation. The information is concise yet insightful, rendering a complete and accurate portrait of this centuries-old institution.

A history of the church from its beginnings to the present that reflects on successes and failures over the years.

From the beginning to 1940. Written for both students and adults. The author intersperses the history with many brief, interesting biographies of famous people, and at the end of each chapter he quotes briefly from a famous writing of the era, blending a medley of elements into a comprehensive historical composition that is at once brilliant and fascinating. A story of the Church unparalleled in its scope, depth, variety and impact, and a book all Catholics should read.

This one-volume survey of the history of the Catholic Church--from its beginning through the pontificate of John Paul II--explains the Church's progress by using Christopher Dawson's division of the Church's history into six distinct "ages," or 350-400 year periods of time.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1865. From the commencement of the christian era until the present time.