Hinson's is a comprehensive overview of the persons, events, movements, ideas, and idiosyncratic elements of the first thirteen centuries of the Christian church. From the church's beginnings as an 'ancient new people' until the church reached the high watermark of 'the great century' (1200-1300)-the 'high bloom' time aptly marked by the rise toward the heavens of the great medieval cathedrals-Professor Hinson traces the life of the church as it affected and was affected by the human story in which the church has played and continues to play so vital a role. Hinson's unique contribution in recounting that history is his sensitivity to the internal matters of the heart as they were affected by the many religious and secular currents that formed the world of the church.
A masterful treatment by one whose lifelong work has been the teaching of this story in college, university, and seminary classroom and in a vareity of study groups in local congregations, this work is destined to become a standard tect for college and semniary courses in church history and a ready resource for school, church, and individual libraries and studies. Maps, charts, lists, bibliographies, and other study aids enhance the usefulness of the text.
