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Even if The History is read for nothing more than its value as a convenient work of reference, it is worth the time spent doing so. It is primarily this collection of references, as Eusebius contributes few original thoughts, which has likely secured his work's preservation for generations to come. Within this succession, he describes, while sparring few references, current affairs in relation to each period of time being discussed.
Some, however, will place greater importance upon the vivid reminders portrayed throughout that Christianity has persevered and thrived until today because of the extraordinary strength of faith and conviction displayed by the earliest believers and those courageously facing persecution in their footsteps. Interwoven with Eusebius' chronology of the most severe of the early persecutions is his primary purpose for writing The History. As a reference it is invaluable.
That is, relating the apostolic succession from Christ's death and resurrection to the author's own time. Whatever the reason, every Christian should read Eusebius' History of the Church. Nonetheless, Eusebius makes no excuses for the missteps of his predecessors or contemporaries, owning the mistakes which he believed led to discipline for the sake of correction.
The History of the Church serves as a blazing beacon of how fortunate many Christians are today and how difficult it still is for many around the world.
Originally written over a period of 20 years and compiled into 10 books by a man who owned no laptop, had no internet access, printing press and quotes a few hundred sources is absolutely remarkable - all in the 3rd century. Mentions various people whom are mention in the N/T - obscure names and converts of the apostle Paul and what they done and even some of the relatives of Jesus, cousins, uncles etc.
Mentions about persecutions, rise of heretics, defences, other books etc. How the N/T and O/T books were compiled and which ones were considered un-canonical.
The History of the Church by Eusebius (Penguin Classics) You read the book of Acts from the Holy Bible and want to know where you go from there in regards to Christian history, then this book is the one - from the life of Christ up to Constantine - the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. 1983 edition.
In essence Eusebius book is superb and should be compulsory for all Bible College students and Christian workers. Some bits are complex and a little hard to understand, but Eusebius quotes so many of the apostle, forefather and church fathers and goes through the apostolic successions of the various sees.
Great time-line of the sees (Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch) and emperors at the back and an index of names (though not all names in the book)are in the index.
font. Williamson's translation is great, and Louth has produced a fine introduction for a foundational text of Christian ecclesiastical history. You might be better off going to a bookstore where you can browse through different editions and see what seems most readable to you. While that might be an exaggeration, I am not exaggerating when I say that this tiny type makes reading these sections an exhausting task, and can chip away at the reader's attention, hindering absorption of the material. However, this Penguin edition has one serious drawback: Eusebius spends pages at a time quoting from his sources. Penguin has decided to render these selections in what appears to be -5pt.
This Penguin edition of Eusebius' histories is also useful for a meticulous glossary of proper names, a handy `who's who' for the early Church, its leaders, patrons, writers, historians, and enemies. The writings of the Greek Christian Eusebius, born in the late 3rd Century AD, remain the most in-depth and accurate source we have on the first three centuries of Christianity's existence. Eusebius gives a detailed account of the various persecutions early Christians faced, as well as the ultimate triumph of Biblical Christianity over an assortment of heresies.
Great service from the supplier and the book is just what I needed. Terrific book about the early church when church growth was the fastest and greatest it has ever been.
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