The Christian faith tradition that we experience in America today is the historic bi-product of 2 millenia of constant change, effort, failure, and regrouping of the ancestral church of Jesus. It is easy to see the modern expression as contiguous, inviolate, and beyond challenge, but none of these views would be reasonably true.

Manchester, after recapping the 1000 years between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance takes an unapologetic look at the revival, the machinations, and the schisms that have led to the modern church. His efforts fills in many blanks that should be required knowledge for anyone seeking to be a "true Christian" in the modern world. At times, he deviates into pithy anecdotes at the extent of continuity, but manages to produce a complete quilt from the multiple patches that were 16th century Christianity.

A willing reader MUST draw the conclusion that our modern faith is, in every significant way as flawed as the historic expression. We are, in this generation as in our history, still largely informed by our biases, limited personal and community experience, and predispositions of our ourselves and our mentors. In the end, this is a reason to love the fragile faith we hold more than ever.

Clearly, Manchester does have a love for his topic, and expresses it well.