The Birth of the Church: From Jesus to Constantine, AD 30-312

The Baker History of the Church #1

by Ivor J. Davidson, John D. Woodbridge (Consulting Editor), David F. Wright (Consulting Editor)

Christians today are becoming more and more interested in studying the roots of their faith and the development of the church. Finally there is an accessible but authoritative series every Christian can turn The Baker History of the Church. Readers will not merely learn the basics; The Baker History of the Church also examines much-ignored themes, such as the role of popular religion, women, and the history of the Bible. In volume one, The Birth of the Church, Ivor J. Davidson helps readers explores the first 300 years of church history using the most recent biblical research and historical scholarship. This highly readable series also examines recurring problems of the church, like its relationship with the state, other religions, and secularism.

Genres: Church History, History, Theology, Christianity, Religion, Reference, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Ivor J. Davidson is Professor of Theology at the University of Otago (New Zealand). He has written extensively on the history and theology of the early church.

Reviews

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neither the church nor Christianity itself sprung up fully formed. That's what you walk away from the book with--you knew it before but Davidson does a good job of filling in the details. After Jesus' death, what happened? What did it mean to believe? Did one have to change one's behavior? If worship was part of it, where did it happen (and this evolved over time). Every detail led sometimes to agreement, compromise, argument, even war and sometimes splits in the church.

One of the things I found most interesting (especially since I'd never thought about it before) is how the Christians became split off from the Jews. Originally, they were both seen as and considered themselves as Jewish. What changed this is when Gentiles began to be converted and not just Jews. What did it mean to be a Christian? Did one have to follow all of the Jewish laws that were not contradicted by what happened during and after Christ's lifetime? Finally, there was circumcision. Unsurprisingly, there was not a big desire to undergo it on the part of converts. When the decision was made not to require it, that is when the Christian church began its separation from Judaism.

[Rohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first third was basically acts (i see why the lecturer didn't assign that but to read but I dipped in anyway, and it did talk about Christian expansion in the east which Acts is silent on)

then meandering through, I found it readable, but not that easy to summarise? perhaps an infographic based textbook would work really well for this, with primary sources and pictures.

[Rebekah Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was required reading for my theology course, however I really enjoyed it.
It's a great overview of early church history and very easy to read.

[Jack Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful outline of the first 3 centuries of the church and my first proper introduction to church history
As one who is not a historian, and with no credentials even vaguely relating to church history, this was useful and informative. While not specific, it provided a distinctive overview of the church during this time period, which I found useful in my own theological understanding of ecclesiology and theology. So much of what the church experiences in our day and age can be traced back to these formative periods. As with any young and unregulated religious formation, there were many offshoots and interpretations of fundamental Christian thinking. Gnostics and early charismatics surrounded the catholic church, and there was a culture of scepticism and fearful mania in the dominant Roman culture.

I think this volume has helped me to see the value of apologetics, and better appreciate the fundamental doctrines that bring about various states of apostasy.

While it was not revisionist and anti-orthodox in its interpretation of church history, there were significant opinions and interpretations expressed throughout the text that I disagreed with. I have little problem with this, it's better for an author to be upfront about their biases and opinions. However I understand some would prefer a book more theologically accurate to traditional reformed evangelical thinking.

[Mano Chil · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to know that schismatic problems existed even before Constantine allowed Christians to worship their God without being persecuted.

[Rex Brampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was worried when I started this that Davidson was giving a defence of the church, but he largely kept to the "facts" of what early Christians (and pagans) believed without offering any judgement. Only on a few occasions did I think he drifted into an attitude of explaining how the church fathers had eventually arrived at the "correct" position; that being the position of the protestant church today.
The first chapter alone is an excellent primer of the state of the first century Roman Empire.

[David Washington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Church history is one of those subjects that fascinates me. I have several. This one is part of a series which, surprisingly, the publishers never finished. They did not release the last book in the four book series, which is a little disappointing.

I took copious notes and make many comments for this, so a longer (much longer) review is coming. It’s not the best church history book I have ever read. But it was good based on rounding out church historical details that may have been skipped in my readings.

In this summary review, it is not what I would say is a must have, but it was compelling enough for me to finish it and go over certain sections that interested me.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a helpful introduction to the first three centuries of church history. More detail than a one volume survey, but still essentially an introduction. I would have welcomed specific referencing of sources rather than unsupported summary statements, and more detailed engagement with scholarly debates. Excellent bibliography.

[Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit simple, but perfect for people new to christian history. relies on acts a little much though with Paul, otherwise pretty solid read.

[Gary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know were Davidson stands theologically but I did not like the way he handled church history here. He was especially un-conservative in his re-telling of New Testament period.

Just OK.

[Brenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally a good treatment of early Christianity. Aggressively egalitarian. Underestimates the first century growth of the church.