A thought-provoking look at a religiously tumultuous era.
The early critics, and competitors, of Christianity.
Journalist Nixey delves into the sometimes scant evidence of the religious losers of early-Christian-era history. In doing so, the author clarifies the extent to which the Christian faith has evolved despite being, at one time, just one of a myriad of other similar belief systems in the Roman Empire and beyond. “The first century,” Nixey explains, “was in truth a century that was full of many lords, and saviours, and gods.” She brings to light the caustic criticisms of early anti-Christian authors, relying most heavily on second-century Greek philosopher Celsus as well as third-century philosopher Porphyry. Both authors are cited throughout the work and form a backdrop for the early Greco-Roman skepticism and hostility toward the burgeoning Christian faith. Nixey uses numerous examples to demonstrate that miracle healings, and even resurrection stories, were far from unique in the ancient world; in many cases, the tales of such miracle workers largely mirror the accounts of Jesus. She notes the widespread prevalence of the world of magic, arguing that early Christian stories and art borrow heavily from that aspect of ancient life. “Wherever Christianity travelled,” the author argues in her conclusion, “it changed, blending here with wizardry, there with sorcery; here with astronomy and astrology,” and so on. The lesser-told history of the faith involves a concerted effort by many in power to sanitize these aspects of Christian legend.
A thought-provoking look at a religiously tumultuous era.Pub Date: Dec. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9780358652915
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Mariner Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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