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A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

Questions About A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

by Diarmaid MacCulloch

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Answered Questions (3)

I'd like to know more about why, for example, Roman and Greek Gods are simply thought of as myths, yet the story of Christ has endured as truth for so many. Are there any good books about the history of Christianity that are straight-up in their atheism, that just discuss (as non-condescendingly as possible) the history of the stories rather than lapse into "was he, wasn't he"?
Bonnie I have found the historical review of Jesus, by Bart D. Ehrmann, to be a well balanced, historically comprehensive, and intellectually satisfying summ…moreI have found the historical review of Jesus, by Bart D. Ehrmann, to be a well balanced, historically comprehensive, and intellectually satisfying summary of the impact of Jesus' "apocalypsist" teachings. The author of this book is a well published historian author, and he is honest about his personal philosophical perspective on Christianity. Ehrmann states the historical fact of Jesus' crucifixion with incredible clarity, and without succumbing to wishful thinking regarding the brutality of the Roman crucifixions of Jesus time. He also shares some personal facts about his upbringing as an evanglical Christian, his college education, and his ultimate disillusionment with the Christian faith, and the promises of the evanglical Christian "Right", which is still committed to the hope of a miraculous apocalyptic return of the Savior, and the restitution of the human race through death, rebirth and (hopefully?) the Rapture. (The Christian Rapture is not discussed in his book, "How Jesus Became God". But Bert Ehrman does truthfully state his agnostic philosophical position, which I found refreshing. The content of his historical review of Jesus life is extensive, and it is surprising. It is historically grounded, and well documented. Professor Ehrman's academic credentials are well rounded, and his writing is lucid, his concepts deep, and his understanding of the Christian faith is well grounded. I found the book deeply satisfying, and I recommend it highly. And.... I am a Catholic Christian. This book did not destroy my faith. Rather, it reaffirms it.(less)
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Why do so many people read literature without a 'critical' mind. By this I mean, why do people simply read without analyzing and thinking through for themselves what it is that they are reading. This particular book by Diarmaid MacCulloch is actually the worst book that I've come across so far. It is really not much worth reading. For example, he does not even mention the Emperor Nero... more of my comments later...?
Ploppy Actually he does, several times:
"When Jerusalem was wrecked by the Roman expeditionary force in 70 CE and the oldest and most prominent community of C…moreActually he does, several times:
"When Jerusalem was wrecked by the Roman expeditionary force in 70 CE and the oldest and most prominent community of Christians was permanently dispersed, Peter and Paul had probably been dead for around half a decade, apparently victims of a persecution whipped up in Rome by the Emperor Nero."
later:
"the pogrom unleashed in Rome in the 60s CE by the increasingly unbalanced Emperor Nero..."
and:
"Piling audacity on audacity, he then put workmen to dig up the floor in his newly built church, where they unearthed the bodies of two martyrs from the time of Nero’s persecution, complete with names, Gervasius and Protasius, ‘long unknown’, and indeed the first martyrs ever known in the Church of Milan."
Any other reasons why this book praised by the archbishop of Canterbury is so bad?
It's one thing to wonder why people don't read with a critical mind, I myself wonder why people don't read the words that are right there in front of them.(less)
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Hi. Is this book an honest account on the history of Christianity or pro Christian propaganda? Thanks.
Edward Martin Based on your question, probably any honest account on the history of Christianity would seem like pro Christian propaganda to you. You might think - …moreBased on your question, probably any honest account on the history of Christianity would seem like pro Christian propaganda to you. You might think - "It's impossible to know the truth." (less)
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