General Christianity, History of Christianity, Historical Reference

Dictionary of Christianity

Name: Dictionary of Christianity
Author: J. Cooper
ISBN: 9781884964497

by J. Cooper

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Overview

A comprehensive reference guide to saints, popes, martyrs, orders, heresies, schisms and religious movements and practices, the Dictionary of Christianity is an alphabetically-arranged volume of essential facts about Christianity and the Christian church.

It includes: accounts of the lives of theologians, philosophers, and reformers whose works influenced the development of Christianity; biblical statistics and information about the chief editions of the Bible; the lives of saints, including their feast days; and details about offices and vestments, rituals and festivals.

In recent years there has been an upsurge in ecumenical movements, and increased communication between Eastern and Western Catholics and Protestants. There has also been an increase in the membership of the Eastern Church in Western countries and, with the fall of Communism in Russia, a revival of the Russian Orthodox Church. In responseto this phenomena, the Dictionary of Christianity covers all the main branches of the Christian church. It will be an invaluable reference for all students of religion.

Synopsis

Booknews

An alphabetically organized reference to essential facts about the main branches of Christianity, including information about saints, popes, martyrs, orders, heresies, schisms, and religious movements, as well as terms, legends, concepts, symbolism, and archaic names. Fully cross-referenced. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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Editorials

From The Critics

This dictionary is based on the references to Christianity in Brewer's "Dictionary of Phrase and Fable". In keeping with the aim of providing "essential facts about the main branches of the Christian churches," the entries derived from Brewer are supplemented by entries covering major developments since his time (e.g., the ecumenical movement and the Second Vatican Council). More attention is also given to Eastern Christianity, reflecting the revival of the Russian Orthodox Church since the fall of communism The preponderance of new entries, however, are devoted to expanded coverage of the saints, who were treated selectively in Brewer. The dictionary has tried "to make a selection which covers a wide spectrum of saints and martyrs of different eras, countries, and character, and to include some of the interest and charm of the more singular legends derived from literature, myth, and folklore." Other interesting entries include lists of colors and what they mean in Christianity, patron saints, and churches belonging to the World Council of Churches No information is given regarding the affiliation or qualifications of the editor. While coverage of Christianity on a worldwide basis is adequate, English Christianity receives the most thorough treatment, and a note indicates that "ecclesiastical usages are those of the Church of England except where otherwise indicated." In at least two instances the Episcopal Church is referred to as the Protestant Episcopal Church, although "Protestant" was dropped from the official name more than 25 years ago Though most of this information is available elsewhere, libraries that need a source with concise coverage of past and current Christianity will find this book useful.