First published 2010
MacCulloch begins with the Hebrew Bible and tracks Christianity's development across three major branches of the faith. His global approach reveals how Jesus' teachings spread beyond familiar European narratives. The author uncovers forgotten stories of religious encounters in Africa and Asia, then follows the evangelical tradition from its German and English roots to its American flowering. MacCulloch populates his account with crusaders and heretics, monks and saints, slave traders and abolitionists. He shows how Christian thought shaped the Enlightenment and fueled exploration, then influenced both world wars. The son of an Anglican priest, MacCulloch writes with personal understanding of religious conviction while maintaining scholarly rigor. His work addresses contemporary questions about faith and violence that concern believers and skeptics alike. The book reveals how New Testament texts took shape and demonstrates Christianity's continuing influence on global events.
Genres: history, religion, non-fiction, christianity, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: scholarly
Setting: Africa, Asia, Europe
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century, 21st-century
1161 pages · Hardcover · Viking