B. H. Manners

Hey guys,


I was thinking about biting the bullet and teaching myself a lot of church history,


I found this link:

[url]http://www.newadvent.org/fathers[url]


What I would like to know from those more experienced is who should I read first and what other authors and links could you give me?

Peter Kirby

My biased recommendation would be to read my "Early Christian Writings" web site from start to finish, including the translations (many of them are short--though Tertullian, Clement, and Origen are huge) and some of the links to external sites:

Early Christian Writings

At some point, you will also want to read the Church History of Eusebius (early fourth century), who is our primary source of information for many events and lost texts.

Two books that will probably go into the recommended reading when I read them are Christianizing the Roman Empire (A.D. 100-400) and The Rise of Christianity.

best,
Peter Kirby

Layman

Stark's book is great. An easy read. Not as long as most treatments on the subject.

Kirby, what'd you think of his theory that the Christian mission WAS succesful to the Jews and that explains the "disappearance" of the diaspora.

Peter Kirby

I have not yet read Stark's book. I do have it though.

I am not sure what is meant by the "disappearance of the diaspora." My understanding is that "diaspora" refers to the Jews living outside Palestine, with the idea that they do not live in a Jewish nation nor have access to a functioning Temple. After Bar Kochba, the diaspora did not disappear but became universal, since rabbinic Judaism took up leadership for a more universalistic synagogue-and-scripture-centered religion instead of a nationalistic Israel-and-temple-focused religion. There are only Jews to this day, not Judeans.

best,
Peter Kirby