The Christian Tradition

"The Christian Tradition" introduces students at the beginning of a new millennium to a religion that has evolved over and shaped two previous millennia. With particular focus placed on the social and cultural background to this tradition, the text provides a stimulating survey of the history of Christianity from its Jewish roots to the challenges it faces in the twenty-first century. This innovative text weaves a consideration of the arts, spirituality, religious life and practice--especially among the laity, women, and others outside the dominant institutional tradition--into its historical narrative, and offers a comprehensive and diverse view of the course of Christian history. KEY FEATURES INCLUDE

• An innovative social and cultural history of Christianity
• Special consideration given to the religious life and arts of Christianity
• Biographical profiles highlighting the lives and works of influential figures
• Extracts from the writings of key religious personalities
• Boxes with key statistical data
• Timelines providing overviews of important events in each period
• Nine maps with historical and geographical context
• End-of-chapter key terms
• Over 100 color and black-and-white illustrations