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A Short History of the Catholic Church by J. Derek Holmes and Bernhard W. Bickers

A Short History of the Catholic Church

Authors:
J. Derek Holmes and Bernhard W. Bickers

Most compelling thought:
At the time of the Reformation, the Church was so much in need of reform that not meeting this need resulted in the separation between Protestants and Catholics. From the first half of the twentieth century, much emphasis has been placed on reunion of all Christians.

Buy this book for:
Anybody who is interested in the history and identity of the church, or who wants to partake in the discussion of the possibility of grand reunion.

A brief review of:
A Short History of the Catholic Church

The Church of Jesus Christ is a thoroughly unique phenomenon, which can be studied from all kinds of perspectives, and which has been evolving for two millennia by forces ranging from true re-birth to politics, demagogy or personal greed. It is truly amazing therefore that Holmes and Bickers manage to give a continuously fascinating record of that history without cluttering the pages with names and numbers.

A Short History of the Catholic Church covers the period from New Testament times unto the election of John Paul II, and does so in 300 pages (that's roughly 6 years and 7 months per page). The result of this roller coaster ride through history is a clear view on the general evolution of the church, much rather than on specific issues or people. Famous church fathers, kings or heretics are mentioned and explained in a paragraph or two, to serve as a dot on a graph and as our minds connect the dots we see the millennial dance of a rock in the tide.

I was especially endeared by reading the intentions of the latter few popes: to engage in conversation with the forms of Christianity other than that of the Catholic Church and discuss some kind of reunion. It will be a true work of art to forge a handshake between movements that exist on the merits of their mutually exclusive beliefs. And the irony is that the only way in which this is possible is through that which drives them all: the love of Jesus Christ.
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