An oxford professor examines the history of the christian faith, starting a millennium before the birth of jesus. The sixhour bbc adaptation filmed in highdefinition is the essential companion to macculloch s 1,200 page history of christianity. Sep 18, 2009 the sections on christianitys expansion eastwards and the tragic history of the churches of central asia, still a littleknown and underresearched subject, are among the very best in the book. Ambitious, it ranges back to the origins of the hebrew. Diarmaid ninian john macculloch grew up in a country parish in suffolk in. Intelligent, thoughtprovoking and magisterial in scope, the series will uncover how a small jewish sect that preached humility became the biggest religion in the world.
He says bad history that is, history oversimplified is a root cause of fanaticism. Diarmaid mccullough, an oxford history professor, travels to historical points of interest relevant to christianity discussing the origins and spread of christianity in a span of 6 episodes. The economist in the first part of his compelling new book, diarmaid macculloch explores the use of silence in spiritual practice, but it is in the second part that he constructs his main challenge. In that book, the author has favoured reformation, martin luther, and protestantism. Macculloch is to be congratulated for his accessible handling of so much complex, difficult material. The first three thousand years is a 2009 book by the british ecclesiastical historian diarmaid macculloch. I only read the first 150 pages, plenty far enough to understand how macculloch feels about christianity. It captures the major turning points in human history and fills in often neglected accounts of. Praise for christianity immensely ambitious and absorbing. A products availability is clearly noted on the product detail page as in stock, advanced sale, release date or special order. Macculloch history of the churchoxford univ christianity. Diarmaid macculloch makes abundantly clear in a history of christianity that he would not join the queue to press his lips against the. The new york times bestseller and definitive history of christianity for our timefrom the awardwinning author of the reformation and silence a product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill, diarmaid maccullochs christianity goes back to the origins of the hebrew bible and encompasses the globe.
A speculative history from a somewhat antagonistic viewpoint. It captures the major turning points in catholic, protestant. The first three thousand years diarmaid macculloch. Diarmaid macculloch has 32 books on goodreads with 31458 ratings. A must see and read for every thinking individual whether they are christian in belief or not. The sixpart bbc tv series a history of christianity is an original and authoritative work presented by one of the worlds leading historians, diarmaid macculloch, professor of the history of the church and fellow at st cross college, oxford, a fellow of the british academy and a whitbread award winner. Christianity by diarmaid macculloch audiobook download.
A history of christianity reveals its true origins and delves into what it means to be a christian. Cross college, oxford, and professor of the history of the church at oxford university. Previous histories would focus on western christianity, macculloch includes the various forms of eastern christianity, orthodox and not so orthodox. On maccullochs christianity, the first 3000 years dr. The new york times bestseller and definitive history of christianity for our timefrom the awardwinning author of the reformation and silence a product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill, diarmaid macculloch s christianity goes back to the origins of the hebrew bible and encompasses the globe. A life, which won the whitbread biography prize, the james tait black prize, and the duff cooper prize. Praise for silence silence has all the spark of christianity. Most items on our site are in stock and ready to ship. A history of christianity by diarmaid macculloch, 9780141021898, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Tom bissell, harpers magazine silence is excellent. Oct 24, 2009 diarmaid macculloch makes abundantly clear in a history of christianity that he would not join the queue to press his lips against the little flowers casket. How does that shift affect your approach to this text. The definitive account of christianity in our time. The author takes an unusual approach to his topic, allowing it a wide array of definitions and also plumbing both history and the absence of history.
The national book critics circle awardwinning author of the reformation returns with the definitive history of christianity for our time once in a generation a historian will redefine his field, producing a book that demands to be reada product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill. To promote sanity by curbing the rhetoric of fanaticism. Macculloch says modern historians have a moral task. History books a history of christianity by diarmaid macculloch. The sections on christianitys expansion eastwards and the tragic history of the churches of central asia, still a littleknown and underresearched subject, are among the very best in the book. The first three thousand years, was published in september 2009 with a related 6part television series called a history of christianity which first aired on bbc4 in 2009 and then on bbc2 and bbc4 in 2010. A history of christianity by diarmaid macculloch book. The first three thousand years diarmaid macculloch isbn. A history of christianity by diarmaid macculloch history books. The sixpart bbc tv series a history of christianity is an original and authoritative work presented by one of the worlds leading historians, diarmaid macculloch, professor of the history of the church and fellow at st cross college, oxford, a fellow of the british academy and a. This book, now the most comprehensive and up to date.
The son of an anglican clergyman, macculloch writes with deep feeling about faith. It captures the major turning points in catholic, protestant, and orthodox. Rowan williams believes an illuminating new survey of christianity will have few, if any, rivals. A product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill, diarmaid maccullochs christianity. As a child of a suffolk rector and an openly gay man, he is an important influence in contemporary anglican debates outside the.
Adam gopnik, the new yorker a landmark contribution. Coupled with maccullochs book of the same title, it is a definitive study of christianitys history and adaption to cultures and impacting events over time. His last book, the reformation, was chosen by dozens of publications as best book of the year and won the national book critics circle award. The first three thousand years follows the story of christianity around. His most recent television series 2015 was sex and the church. This book, now the most comprehensive and up to date single. Mar 12, 2020 the national book critics circle awardwinning author of the reformation returns with the definitive history of christianity for our time once in a generation a historian will redefine his field, producing a book that demands to be reada product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill. It is difficult to imagine a more comprehensive and surprisingly accessible volume than maccullochs. A history of christianity by diarmaid macculloch history. Maccullochs book is a vibrant example of all three genres.
A history of christianity by macculloch, diarmaid ebook. His gifford lectures at the university of edinburgh were published in 20 as silence. The first three thousand years by diarmaid macculloch. This impressive text by diarmaid macculloch will help you discover christianity s essential role in shaping human history and the intimate lives of men and women. Diarmaid maccullochs most popular book is a history of christianity.
His books include suffolk and the tudors, winner of the royal historical societys whitfield prize, and thomas cranmer. Macculloch is a gifted scholar and his ideas are always worth hearing. This dvd history of christianity is excellent in every way. This book, now the most comprehensive and up to date single volume work in english, describes not only the main ideas and personalities of christian history, its organisation and spirituality, but how it has changed politics, sex, and human society. Oct 01, 2009 this book should have been called christianity. The first american edition was titled christianity.
As a child of a suffolk rector and an openly gay man, he is an important influence in contemporary anglican debates outside the academy. Feb 22, 2011 the new york times bestseller and definitive history of christianity for our timefrom the awardwinning author of the reformation and silence a product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill, diarmaid macculloch s christianity goes back to the origins of the hebrew bible and encompasses the globe. How did an obscure personality cult come to be the worlds biggest religion, with a third of humanity its followers. Diarmaid macculloch and the first 3,000 years of christianity. Apr 04, 2010 properly understood and maccullochs book is a landmark contribution to that understanding christianity cannot be seen as a force beyond history, for it was conceived and is practiced. It is a survey of christianity from its earliest lineages the first american edition was titled christianity.
His books include suffolk and the tudors, winner of the royal historical. Books by diarmaid macculloch author of a history of. In this thank you gift package, you will recieve the 6dvd set of diarmaid maccullochs dive into the history of christianity in this new series, as well as his book, christianity. Diarmaid macculloch does not conceal his preference for. Oct 19, 2010 a history of christianity by diarmaid macculloch, 9780141021898, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The best books on the history of christianity five books. Properly understood and maccullochs book is a landmark contribution to that understanding christianity cannot be seen as a force beyond history, for. Christianity, one of the worlds great religions, has had an incalculable impact on human history. A history of christianity 2010, which was adapted into a sixpart bbc television series, was awarded the cundill and hesseltiltman prizes. This book, now the most comprehensive and up to date single volume. It is a survey of christianity from its earliest lineages.
He is perhaps best known for his work on the reformation in england and europe, including reformation. The first three thousand years follows the story of christianity around the globe, from ancient palestine to contemporary china. In maccullochs hands, reading about christianity often feels as soulful, as silently consuming, as prayer itself. This aweinspiring followup is a landmark new history of the faith that continues to shape the world. Discover the groundbreaking work of diarmaid macculloch b. Diarmaid macculloch is professor of the history of the church at oxford university and coeditor of the journal of ecclesiastical history. A provocative history of the role of silence in christianity by the awardwinning, new york times bestselling author in this essential work of religious history. The first three thousand years goes back to the origins of the hebrew bible and encompasses christianitys spread across the globe. Diarmaid maccullochs epic, acclaimed history a history of christianity. The first three thousand years, published in 2010 by penguin books from viking.
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