The Reformation

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I just read "The Story Of Civilization VI: The Reformation" by Will Durant (raised a Catholic, later apparantly Presbyterian). Is anyone familiar w/ this book? Is it considered acurate and (relatively) unbiased?

-- Mark Advent (adventm5477@earthlink.net), February 17, 2004

Answers

Durant tends to make wild generalizations about the Reformation with his own protestant slant on things. I would suggest:

The Gory of Christendon and the Cleaving of Christendom by Dr. William Carroll

H.W. Crocker III's Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church

Fr. John Laux's Church History

Dr. Alan Schreck's Compact History of the Catholic Church

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), February 17, 2004.


You might also want to read Reformations by Armesto and Wilson.

They paint an interesting picture of the reformation because they don't give into the common views of it. They show how the Reformation really wasn't all that unique in the history of Christianity. A very interesting read.

-- Scott (papasquat10@hotmail.com), February 17, 2004.


Make that The Glory of Christendon (sorry, Doc...)

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), February 17, 2004.


Bill,

Can you please give your opinion for each book you suggested? Thanks.

-- Dan (daniel8787@yahoo.com), February 17, 2004.


The Glory of Christendon and the Cleaving of Christendom by Dr. William Carroll - This is part of Dr. Carroll's monumental and life long work on the history of Christianity. These are excellent reads. He is currently working on the last volume, pray he completes it before he passes away. Dr. Carroll gives a frank and straightforward view of the reformation in these works. You will discover all kinds of things you didn't know about the major players in the reformation. A MUST READ.

H.W. Crocker III's Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church - This is a very easy read. It is a good overview of Catholic history in one volume.

Fr. John Laux's Church History - Also an enjoyable read. He quotes from different people of the era the chapter is talking about which gives each chapter a 'flavor' of that period. Also in one volume of about 700 pages.

Dr. Alan Schreck's Compact History of the Catholic Church -- for those who really don't have time for history, this book is less then 200 pages, so don't expect a lot. But if you are looking for a general overview, this is the one.

All are orthodox histories.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), February 18, 2004.



Bill,

Thanks, again. I'll pick up a copy of Dr. Carroll's.

-- Dan (daniel8787@yahoo.com), February 18, 2004.


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