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Early Church history

Discussion in 'History Forum' started by ZeroTX, May 18, 2004.

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  1. ZeroTX

    ZeroTX Member
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    Hi guys,

    Can anyone recommend a book, or set of books on the history of the Early Church, from a non-biased source? Meaning, not something off a Catholic press.

    I'm specifically looking for detailed material from the days of Jesus' life all the way to the late 4th century -- once again from a non-Catholic perspective. Pure history.

    Thanks,

    Michael
     
    #1 ZeroTX, May 18, 2004
  2. Debby in Philly

    Debby in Philly Active Member

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    #2 Debby in Philly, May 19, 2004
  3. Matt Black

    Matt Black Well-Known Member
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    Gibbon's 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' has a good section on it.

    Yours in Christ

    Matt
     
    #3 Matt Black, May 19, 2004
  4. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    Two that I can reccomend are - Justo Gonzalez, Church History an Essential Guide and a much larger volume, by Walker, A History of the Christian Church.
     
    #4 Ben W, May 19, 2004
  5. ZeroTX

    ZeroTX Member
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    Thanks! That gets me started!

    -Michael
     
    #5 ZeroTX, May 20, 2004
  6. R. Charles Blair

    R. Charles Blair New Member

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    ZeroTX - You have a full plate, but let me add
    "An Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern," by the German Lutheran John Laurence Mosheim, originally done about 1826, still available. It is as close to an unbiased work, century by century, as I have seen, very thorough. Each century is taken up in 2 general headings,
    "Concerning the External History of the Church" and "Concerning the Internal History of the Ch."
    Each of those in turn is divided in subtopics. He was of the "objectivist" school, similar to the German von Ranke whose "History of the Popes" is extremely thorough and reasonably impartial. Their approach was simply to lay out all the facts and let the reader come to conclusions. It isn't bedtime reading, unless you're trying to help insomnia; but it is all there.

    Best- Charles Blair - Rom. 8:28
     
    #6 R. Charles Blair, May 25, 2004
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Would give a hearty (hardy?) second to Mosheim. He is oft quoted by other historians, so why not use the primary source?
     
    #7 Dr. Bob, May 26, 2004
  8. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    It's indeed hearty as far as I know.
    And yes I give a hearty third to Mosheim.
    Allthough it is an excruciatingly boring book at times (especially in the original German).
     
    #8 mioque, May 27, 2004
  9. ZeroTX

    ZeroTX Member
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    I'm trying to find the Mosheim book, but coming up empty on Amazon.com. I've never found a book that Amazon DIDN'T carry... Are you guys sure this is in print?...

    Can you dig up an ISBN?

    thanks!

    -Michael
     
    #9 ZeroTX, May 29, 2004
  10. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    Considering it's originally from 1826 I'm not surprised at all it isn't currently in print.
     
    #10 mioque, May 30, 2004
  11. Billy De Kid

    Billy De Kid New Member

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    As my first post/reply, I too am very interested in books about early church history.
    Also, I am looking for a book on Bible History, and have no idea where to start. So much material exists that finding an unbiased publication is a task.
    I would like an unbiased book, or set of books that detail history behind each book of the Bible.
    Thanks
    -Billy
     
    #11 Billy De Kid, Jun 8, 2004
  12. Jeff Weaver

    Jeff Weaver New Member

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    Try ABEBOOKS. I did a search and several copies are available at what seem to me to be reasonable prices.

    Jeff.
     
    #12 Jeff Weaver, Jun 8, 2004
  13. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    another interesting early church history book.

    ISBN: 0-06-069254-5 / 0060692545
    Title: The Triumph of the Meek: Why Early Christianity Succeeded
    Author: Michael Walsh
    Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco

    Ought to be easier to find than Mosheims work (not to mention, much more readable, if a little to liberal for most folks around here).
     
    #13 mioque, Jun 8, 2004
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