Church History 101: A Concise Overview
Catholics need an adult understanding of their faith and history for its own sake as well as to be able to link the Church's "today" with her past. From the Introduction Church History 101 introduces the reader to the basics of Catholic Church history. Author Christopher Bellitto divides the Church's history into four distinct periods (early, medieval, Reformation, and modern). Each chapter is further subdivided into manageable segments to address four major issues: The Big Picture, The Church's Hierarchy, The Church in the Pews, and What Makes This Period Unique? Coupled with the maps and timelines that orient the reader to the time, place, and culture of the era, discussion questions further encourage the readers to reflect and respond to the Church's actions within the historical context. Suggested readings provide additional sources for topics of interest. This book is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in learning more about the rich history of the Catholic Church and to gain a better understanding of the Church today. Christopher M. Bellitto, PhD, is assistant professor of history at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, and the academic editor-at-large of Paulist Press. His most recent books are 101 Questions and Answers on Popes and the Papacy and Ten Ways the Church Has Changed. His articles have appeared in Catholic Historical Review, Church History, Cristianesimo nella storia, Revue d'histoire ecclésiastique, America, Commonweal, U.S. Catholic, and other journals. Dr. Bellitto has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and The News Hour; on many radio stations; and in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The International Herald Tribune among others. Dr. Bellitto's Liguori Publications include What Every Catholic Should Know About the Millennium and the pamphlet "When a Pope Dies," also available in Spanish as "Cuando un papa muere."