Reading List for the Development of Christianity

[Beth]

To the AP membership:

There has been a lot of debate on these threads about the origin and development of Christianity.  The debate about this can certainly continue, but here are a few of the textbooks that I have studied from. There are more, but these will get anyone started who is interested in learning more about this topic. These texts are included in the study of Christianity in most of American Academia--Seminaries included. These books explain the basics.


The History of the Church
by Eusebius,
translated by G. A. Williamson

The Early Church: The Story of Emergent Christiantity from the Apostolic Age to the dividing way between the Greek East and the Latin West
by Henry Chadwick

Western Society and the Church in The Middle Ages
by R.W. Southern

Early Christian Doctrines
by J.N.D. Kelly

A History of Christian Thought Volumes I, II, and III
by Justo L. Gonzalez

Anthropological Study Texts:

Anthropological Studies of Religion: An Introductory Text
by Brian Morris

These books should be available for purchase on Amazon.com or can be checked out through your Public Library system.

There are a great many books out there, but these books are the most reliable sources.  The Internet is also full of information, but my best suggestion for a starting place is "The Catholic Encyclopedia" found at: www.newadvent.org/    That link will keep you busy for quite a long time!!  

May these resources help all of those on their journey.[]