Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

The Emergence of Christianity. By Cynthia White. 1 vol. 209 p. $45.00. ISBN 10: 0-313-32799-8; 978-0-313-32799-5.

Once this reviewer made the statement in class that one man's god was another man's myth. A student's hand was raised and said, "But Jesus Christ was real." While the ancient Romans believed that "Roman Peach would only be possible if everyone could worship the god of their choice, by the first century A.D., this was challenged. Major conflicts from that time (including Constantine's conversion to monotheism and Christianity as the official religion of Rome) until now have been fought in the name of religion. The beginnings of Christianity are detailed in a 2-page chronology, a 3-page list of the Roman emperors, and a page of rulers of Judea and six chapters. Beginning with "Historical Overview," the "Dynast of Herod the Great" is followed by "Constantine's Christian Monotheism," "Pope Damasus and the Christianization of Rome," "Pagans and Christians" and "The Christian Church through the Centuries: Conflict and Accommodation." Much of the book is taken up with biographies of literary and historical figures, "Primary Documents of Early Christianity," a 6-page glossary and a 12-page bibliography. Six pages of black and white photos are inset in the middle of the volume. Religious studies and world history classes will appreciate the information found here.