The First Thousand Years
A Global History of Christianity
by Robert Louis Wilken
reviewed by Eighth Day Books
Feast of St George the Great Martyr; Bright Thursday
Anno Domini 2020, April 23
Adoration of the Magi by Hans Baldung Grien (A.D. 1506/1507)
The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity
by Robert Louis Wilken
MANY HISTORIES
of early Christianity focus on doctrinal developments, councils, or church structure. Most center on events in Rome or Asia Minor. Wilken purposefully spreads his attention to include political and cultural changes brought about by Christianity, and he widens his view to include the growth of Christianity as far as early missionary movement carried it. With the aim of offering a global history, Wilken draws attention to the ancient Christian heritages of Ethiopia and Egypt, the fledgling churches in India and east Asia, the semitic Christianity of the Syriacs, Christianity’s arrival in Armenia and Georgia, and the baptism of the Russian prince in 988. He also devotes several chapters to chronicling the rise of Islam and the consequent dwindling of Christian communities in Spain, Northern Africa, and the Near East without obscuring the central events in Rome and Constantinople that formed the doctrine and polity of the Church. To capture such a broad picture, chapters are short, detailed scholarly citations avoided. The result is a thorough introduction to the rise of Christianity as a world-shaping faith. We think Wilken’s Spirit of Early Christian Thought
one of the finest introductions of its kind. With his beautiful synthesis of substantial scholarship and accessible style, Wilken’s First Thousand Years
is just as fine.
388 pp. paper $22.00
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The Sisters of Sophia will gather on the Commemoration of the Great Martyr Theodore, Anno Domini 2026, February 17. Rachel Garton will present The Battlefield of Compassion: Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and St Verena . Sisters of Sophia When Every third Tuesday Where The Ladder 2836 E Douglas, Wichita Parking available behind Eighth Day Books Schedule Food, drink, and fellowship at 6:30pm Eighth Day Convocation & Lecture at 7:20pm Membership Required? No, but do consider joining the community! Learn more and join here !
The Hall of Men will gather Thursday evening on the commemoration of St Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch, Anno Domini 2026, February 12. David Beutel will present on St. John Henry Newman. St. John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890) was an English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was previously an Anglican priest, and after his conversion to Catholicism, became a cardinal. Newman's beatification was proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 September 2010 during his visit to the United Kingdom. His canonization was officially approved by Pope Francis on 12 February 2019, and took place on 13 October 2019. Come and jo in us for the first toast of 2026 at the Hall of Men! If you haven’t seen a Catholic listen to the life story of John Wesley; if you haven’t watched a Protestant learn about Evagrius of Pontus; and if you haven’t seen Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant men sit around a table together and talk theology until midnight . . . then you need to come to the Hall of Men. When The commemoration of St Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch, Anno Domini 2026, February 12. Where The Ladder at 2836 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67214 Schedule Doors Open at 7 pm Food is served at 7:30pm Eighth Day Convocation at 8:30pm Presentation and toast by Derek Hale immediately following Convocation. Membership Required? No, but do consider joining the community! Learn more and join today here .
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