“For many centuries Europe was the citadel of the Christian faith, resisting attempts to dislodge it and taking steps to extend it more broadly. Here is a set of chapters that outline, thematically as well as chronologically, the main features of its historical experience. They reveal both why the continent’s Christian strength survived so long and why it has been sapped in the recent past.”
—David Bebbington, professor emeritus of history, University of Stirling
“Looking for a current and accessible book on the story of Christianity in Europe? Search no longer! This lucid and engaging picture of European Christianity from the early church to the present day offers an excellent resource for scholars, students, and general readers. Congratulations to Alec Ryrie and his team of contributors for this outstanding volume.”
—Karin Maag, director, Meeter Center for Calvin Studies
“A superb historical overview of European Christianity. The contributors have done a masterful job in their short chapters of summarizing the subject assigned to each; the net effect is an incisive treatment of the complex history of the Christian church in Europe.”
—David Trim, professor of church history, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
“This excellent collection by leading scholars redefines the way historians tell the story of European Christianity by integrating it into a global framework. While remaining attentive to classical themes and periodization, the chapters draw out the European Church’s reciprocal relations with faith communities across the world established by mission, empire, and trade. Entangling Web is a most welcome addition to scholarship on the history of Christianity.”
—David Maxwell, professor of ecclesiastical history, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge
“Christianity did not begin in Europe, and today its most vibrant forms may be found on other continents. And yet, from the rise of the papacy to the upheaval of the Reformation, it is in Europe that much of Christian history and development has played out. This excellent collection explores that story without Eurocentrism or knee-jerk revisionism. It will help readers understand the events and forces that have shaped both contemporary Europe and world Christianity.”
—James Walters, professor in practice, London School of Economics and Political Science
“This collection of essays illustrates clearly and succinctly how Europe became a ‘Christian’ continent, while demonstrating the enormous divergences within this progression, its expansion into other parts of the world, and European Christianity’s current decline. An essential read for understanding this essential part of the history of world Christianity.”
—Allan H. Anderson, professor emeritus of mission and Pentecostal studies, University of Birmingham, UK
“Boldly conceived and argued, these essays not only overturn the tables of the familiar history but offer a vision for the story of Christianity in its proper global context. Innovative and provocative history writing at its best.”
—Bruce Gordon, professor of ecclesiastical history, Yale Divinity School
