"The publication of a new translation of Eusebius's THE CHURCH HISTORY is an important event. This translation, along with the helpful introductions and commentary by Paul L. Maier, makes early history come alive." --Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame
"There is no book more important to understanding the early church than Eusebius's THE CHURCH HISTORY. And there is no edition more readable and engaging than this one." --Mark Galli, Managing Editor, CHRISTIANITY TODAY
Often called the "Father of Church History," Eusebius was the first to trace the rise of Christianity during its crucial first three centuries from Christ to Constantine. Our principal resource for earliest Christianity, THE CHURCH HISTORY presents a panorama of apostles, church fathers, emperors, bishops, heroes, heretics, confessors, and martyrs.
This paperback edition includes Paul L. Maier's clear and precise translation, historical commentary on each book in THE CHURCH HISTORY, and numerous maps, illustrations, and photographs. Coupled with helpful indexes and the Loeb numbering system, these features promise to liberate Eusebius from previous outdated and stilted works, creating a new standard primary resource for readers interested in the early history of Christianity.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
If you ever wondered:
If you ever wondered what is the source of many details about the New Testament era that aren't found in the Bible, this history may be it. Eusebius tells us what happened to the disciples of Jesus in later life, how the early Christians were persecuted, and much more. This translation and commentary by Paul Maier makes this great work very accessible and is attractively produced. If you aren't a Loeb edition type this is probably the one for you.
The source material for so many Christian Histories:
I have always been a great fan of history and have read the works of Gibbon, Durant, and Paul Johnson and noted that they all referenced Eusebius for the first few centuries of Christian history. I decided that I wanted to read this to see everything that he had to say instead of just reading the quotes others used. I also have a great interest in early Christian doctrines and the major heresies and thought this would be a good place to start. First of all, I thought the translation was excellent. The... more info
The Cross and Rome:
Historian Maier Maier also happens to be a gifted author and his translation of "The Church History" by Eusebius is both very readable and informative. The fourth century church historian Eusebius gives readers a glimpse of the church at a time emerging from Diocletian's persecutions through its triumph after the Milvian Bridge. Not only was Eusebius a witness to some of these events but he also left us a valuable if certainly imperfect record of the centuries of Church history preceeding him by utilizing... more info
a gifted few:
Be one of the few to read the Church History by Eusebius. Paul L. Maier has done a very good job with his translation and commentary. I am only a simple man who is a poor reader, but if I have read this book there is no excuse why all of our church leaders can do the same. Yet I have talked to no one who has read the church history. Before Paul Maier, it was hard to read and understand, but now we can. There is no way to judge these words that Eusebius wrote, he was a believer and wrote what he preceived to... more info
