The Church - by Frederick J Cwiekowski (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The historical context in which theological understandings have developed play an important role in our understanding of the modern church. In this book, Sulpician priest and scholar Frederick J. Cwiekowski traces the theology of the church, beginning with the community of disciples during Jesus' ministry and the New Testament era. He continues through the various periods of history, highlighting events from both the East and West, including the remarkable developments surrounding the Second Vatican Council, the post-conciliar period, and today's pontificate of Pope Francis. With this book, intended for general readers and students of theology, Cwiekowski hopes to promote an appreciation of the mystery that is the church.

Review Quotes

"The evident careful labor that went into this well-crafted book reflects the author's deep concern that those who hold positions of responsibility in the church be historically conscious and theologically astute. A substantial book that reflects a lifetime of teaching and research."Theological Studies

"This text will be useful in general church history courses in seminaries and will likely be standard there." Catholic Books Review

"Written and intended for both theology students and seminarians, as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, Father Cwiekowski hopes to promote an appreciation of the mystery that is the church. Impressively informed, an extraordinary study."Midwest Book Review

"Clear, calm, historically sensitive, and well-structured, Fr. Cwiekowski's book will be helpful for anyone--college students, candidates for ecclesial ministries, scholars, and general readers--interested in understanding better the Church in its historical journey and in its contemporary situation."Christopher J. Ruddy, Associate Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, The Catholic University of America

"The Church is a gift to students, teachers, parishioners, pastors, and anyone else hoping to know more about how the Christian community has understood itself over the centuries. Cwiekowski wears his learning lightly, drawing on the very best of contemporary scholarship to tell an engaging story of both continuity and change in the church. All the qualities that marked his earlier bestseller The Beginnings of the Church--balance, clarity, substantive content, crisp prose--are on full display in this new volume, extending the lessons of history from the age of the apostles to the era of Pope Francis."Edward P. Hahnenberg, Author of Theology for Ministry: An Introduction for Lay Ministers

"The book The Church: Theology in History is an invaluable resource to help us reconnect with the historical dimension of the Church. Offering a unified narrative of the theological tradition as Church history is crucial, particularly today in an age of dissonant, ahistorical understandings of Christianity's past."Massimo Faggioli, Professor of Historical Theology, Villanova University