Title: The History of the Church/Christianity: A Short Global History
Abstract: The History of Church. By Guy Bedouelle. New York: Continuum, 2003. iii + 307 pp. $29.95 (paper). Christianity: A Short Global History. By Frederick W. Norris. Oxford: Oneworld, 2002. 296 pp. $20.95 (paper). Historical scholarship presently is field of specialists. To attempt comprehensive survey of church history is not consideration. So Guy Bedouelle informs reader, explaining his book, despite title, is merely an overview. It aims to present the high points in history of Roman Catholic from Western European perspective. This presentation is framed by theological examination of church history in first last chapters inspired by thought of Jean Danielou, Gaston Fessard, Charles Journet, Hans Urs von Balthasar. The second chapter reflects upon epistemological nature methodology of church history as discipline. In eleven central chapters of book, attention is given to external internal challenges faced by Latin church over centuries: universality, barbarians, feudalism, secular thought, Renaissance, Reformation, absolutism, Enlightenment, revolutions, ideologies, cultures. Tn addition, there are individual chapters on Eastern churches Protestantism, as expression of author's conviction a minimum of historical knowledge about other Christian confessions is particularly necessary today. As first survey for theological student, book succeeds in exciting interest promoting further study. However, more advanced student will be conscious of author's penchant for broad, questionable generalizations. For instance, reader is told in fourteenth century the church was mass of men women abandoned by their pastors, on eve of Reformation the entire world-and this included even most worldly of popes-was in agreement as to need for reform of Church, challenge of Reformation was met by Roman Catholic and conquered by holiness alone. One is surprised to find so little discussion in this history about development role of papacy. The rise of Ultramontanism in nineteenth century is ignored, there is only passing reference to promulgation of papal infallibility at Vatican Council I. The author observes the ministry of unity magisterium of pope remained after Vatican Council II, but does not address challenges presented to office by post-conciliar church world. He holds prestige of papacy has not waned after John XXIII while vaguely acknowledging that Catholic Church's current disturbances come more from within than from external challenges. Anglicanism comes under review in chapter on Protestantism, receives an uneven shallow treatment. A sampling: Richard Hooker is credited with aiding Queen Elizabeth I in her quest to have Thirty-Nine Articles adopted by clergy of realm, thereby establishing via media, the expression motto of an Anglicanism wanted to be both Catholic Reformed at same time. Elizabeth is also described as not reluctant to persecute harshly her Roman Catholic subjects, though there is no reciprocal mention of papal bull Regnans in Excelsis issued by Pius V or of Spanish Armada; Anglican high churchmanship represented by Caroline divines is traced directly to teaching of Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius, the imperious William Laud is designated leader of this school in eighteenth century (not seventeenth), while Jeremy Taylor is ranked as disciple of Latitudinarians. Bedouelle cites ecumenism as one of critical, standing challenges for Church of Peter. …
Publication Year: 2005
Publication Date: 2005-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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