The Rise of Christianity

The size of this book is daunting (some 900 pages of text, and then about a hundred more of appendices), but Frend is tirelessly clear in his explanations. He moves through stages of the early church, offering an overview of the political situations, the major players, and the Zeitgeist of each time period. I bought this originally a textbook for a college course, but I've picked it up again as a valuable resource. His synthesis of primary sources is neither obnoxiously conservative or obnoxiously liberal (those familiar with writings on the early church will know what this means). Every chapter inspires me to read through his sources; the book provides an excellent conceptual framework for further study.

This is not an easy book to read, because it is not a shallow treatment of its subject; it's densely written and highly detailed.But it is the book that you should start with, because, given the degree of religious partisanship that attends this subject, it's crucial that your first exposure come from a trustworthy source. To all appearances, Frend is such a source; he writes without apparent bias, with abundant humanity, and he ends each chapter with a staggering bibliography of the primary and secondary sources on which he's relied. In fact, the bibliography itself is worth the price of the book.I predict that if you purchase this book, it will become the standard by which you judge other Church histories.

Fantastic work, that while historical in nature shows respect for most all of the various factions, sects, 'heresies', etc. during this critical time in the development of the world's top religion (in headcount). I suggest reading it with 'The Other Bible' as a reference book, along with a standard canonical bible.... one can put the non-canonical texts and gospels in perspective with the currently accepted versions, including which sects favored the use of various texts and interpretations. I had to laugh at Frend's description of Paul as 'that indefatigable little man'...surely an understatement for Paul's tireless missions to establish Christianity outside the Jewish race. I can think of no better historical overview and analysis of a very complex topic.

Although long and somewhat daunting the book is well written, and flows easily making the huge book manageable. It's arguments are persuasive and logical, but as with almost any work, it is certainly not the last word on the topic. I hope a person thinking about getting the book is not scared away by the lenght of the book, it really is a good book, and you may find yourself not wanting to put it down.

As a reader in search of a better understanding of of Christianity, I found this book asnwered the myiad questions that the church has reluctantly acknowledged, and rarely discussed openly. This knowledge of historical issues helps me to better understand the more current issues facing Christianity as it enters the next millenia. However, it will be challenging read for those not seriously interested in the subject.