Church History: A History of the Catholic Church to 1940

Father Laux's book titled CHURCH HISTORY is an excellent guide for those interested in the history of the Catholic Church. There is an obvious gap regarding the second half of the 20th century, but this book is still very useful. Father Laux begins his study with the early Church. His materials are obviously selections from the Bible, but he also makes use of other documents that help explain the development of the early Catholic Church. Father Laux mentions that St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107 AD)was one of the first to use the term "Catholic Church." Readers should note that St. Ignatius of Antioch was a contemporary of St. John who is credited with writing the Gospel of John and Revelations or the Apocalypse. In other words the earliest Christians referred to themselves as Catholics and belonging to the Catholic (Universal Church). If this causes apoplexy among Protestants who define their religion by Catholic bashing, that is too bad because the sources are there. Father Laux gives an interesting account of the survivial of the Catholic Church even as the central authority of the Roman Empire disintegrated. This is an important part of the history of the Catholic Church simply because the Catholic authroities maintained a disciplined organization which united Europeans when nothing else would. There were obvious exceptions to this trend, but the fact is that the Catholic Church united European men and women when there was political chaos during the Dark Ages (c. 500-750). Father Laux's treatment of the monks and nuns is important. Father Laux presents a clear and incisive history of these forgotten heroes and heroines. The monks and nuns of the so-called dark ages preserved learning and Western Civilization. Father Laux cites these people for their devotion and tireless efforts. Readers should note that monks and nuns hand copied books including the Bible. They taught men how to drain swamps, clear land, farm, rotate crops, etc. The monastic schools and the schools organized for nuns were the only ones that existed until the development of the cathedral schools and universities which were developed later. Father Laux did a credible job regarding the power struggles between the European secular rulers and Catholic authorities. For example readers should consult his explanation of the power struggle between the German ruler Henry IV (1056-1106)vs. Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085). These struggles were crucial for the survial of the Catholic Church if the Catholic authorities were to have credibility both as religious men and women and as the Universal Church rather than a national church with limited vision and narrow scope. Father Laux does an outstanding job in detailing the history of the Catholic universities and the great philosophical achievement of the Scholastic scholars. One should note Father Laux's appreciation of St. Thomas Aguinas (1225-1274). Those who make the blunder that the Catholic authroities tried to keep

It starts from the time of Jesus Christ up to the reign of Pope Pius XII. Church History by Fr. John Joseph Laux is an excellent, basic complete history of the Catholic Church. It sums up the causes of the Inquisition, the Schism of King Henry VIII, beginning and end of Jansenism, and the end of the Papal States of Rome as well as the glorious monarchy of Italy once ruled by Blessed Pius IX. This is not an outdated book because it published in the mid-20th century. History is never outdated even in the past. History is History. The facts from the past are still the same facts today.

Every Catholic at some time in his life has undoubtedly felt a desire to know the history of the Catholic Church. But where to begin the study of nearly 2,000 years? Probably no book was better concieved or better executed to fulfill this need than Church History by Fr.John Laux. Written expressly both for students and adults; anyone who becomes familar with this book will find that he has aquired an excellent background in Church history. The author intersperses the history with many brief, interesting biographies of famous people, and at the end of each chapter, he quotes briefly from a famous writing of the era, blending a medly of elements into a comprehensive historical composition that is at once brilliant and fascinating. Church History by Fr. Laux is a story of the Church unparalled in its scope, depth, variety, interest, and impact, and a book all Catholics should read, that they might understand in what manner the "mustard seed" planted by Our Lord has grown to be the greatest institution in the entire world!

This book has helped through three years of mediaeval history papers: it is one of the few books I have found which is at once Catholic and comprehensive on the matter of Church History. THose fed up with reading learned tome after learned tome of socio-political reasoning will welcome the more relaxed and generous voice of this book. I paricularly recommend it to any History student anxious to keep their viewpoint Christian, but I also commend it to all readers: it is Church History, which is the history of the world, at its best.