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Eusebius - The Church History
Posted on 12/25/21 at 9:01 pm
Posted on 12/25/21 at 9:01 pm
I'm not a prolific reader, but started reading some older historical books recently. I'm in the process of reading this collection of history books written by Eusebius of Caesarea, completed in 324 AD. The version that I am reading was translated by Paul Maier. For those not familiar with the works, Eusebius includes numerous cited references and writers (Josephus, Hegespippus, Justin, Irenaeus, Dionysius of Alexandria) that have been lost and are only found in this collection. Eusebius is good about noting historical accounts that he deems unreliable, and Paul Maier is equally good about noting errors that Eusebius made in his footnotes. Maier notes the difficulties in translating older writings and languages in his introduction. For example he quotes another translator in regards to Eusebius, "the first sentence of Book I is 166 words long, and we have to plough through 153 of them before we reach the one and only main verb." This version is very readable and Maier gives examples of how he edited some of the text to make it less redundant and flow better without changing the meaning.
It is very interesting to read the accounts of the historical events and development of the church so close to the time Christ was on earth. It's about the same time frame that has passed since the American Revolution, so time frame relatively speaking. Eusebius provides additional explanations and information to go along with the accounts of the Gospels and also gives accounts of what happened to many of the apostles. Historical information is also included on the events taking place within Jerusalem and the Roman empire up to the time of his writing. A lot of what is referred to as "according to Christian tradition" comes from this collection.
I'm only about half-way through, but am looking forward to finishing and finding other books that were written about the scriptures and the church at that time. Anybody have suggestions?
It is very interesting to read the accounts of the historical events and development of the church so close to the time Christ was on earth. It's about the same time frame that has passed since the American Revolution, so time frame relatively speaking. Eusebius provides additional explanations and information to go along with the accounts of the Gospels and also gives accounts of what happened to many of the apostles. Historical information is also included on the events taking place within Jerusalem and the Roman empire up to the time of his writing. A lot of what is referred to as "according to Christian tradition" comes from this collection.
I'm only about half-way through, but am looking forward to finishing and finding other books that were written about the scriptures and the church at that time. Anybody have suggestions?
2
Posted on 12/26/21 at 1:11 am to Ramblin Wreck
I would recommend The Christians as the Romans Saw Them by Robert L Wilken.
It covers the period before Constantine, and explains why Roman pagans considered Christianity a threat to civic order, and what some of the early critics of Christianity thought.
For example, Eusebius praises Origen's book Contra Celsum, but why did Celsus think what he did? Wilken explains and really helps the reader understand how early Christianity interacted with the broader pagan culture.
It covers the period before Constantine, and explains why Roman pagans considered Christianity a threat to civic order, and what some of the early critics of Christianity thought.
For example, Eusebius praises Origen's book Contra Celsum, but why did Celsus think what he did? Wilken explains and really helps the reader understand how early Christianity interacted with the broader pagan culture.
Posted on 12/26/21 at 5:24 pm to Ramblin Wreck
This is a tough period to find reliable info about. I commend you. Let me know if you find anything about early bishops and how they were appointed. Please.
Posted on 12/27/21 at 12:24 am to bayoubengals88
quote:
This is a tough period to find reliable info about. I commend you. Let me know if you find anything about early bishops and how they were appointed. Please.
It lists pretty much all the bishops for each church in order in different sections of the writings. However, Eusebius doesn't mention any extremely formal process, he only states that they were selected. One thing to note is that even though Eusebius refers to the very early leaders in the various churches as bishops, initially these churches had less structure and the role probably is better described as a pastor.
Posted on 12/27/21 at 2:09 pm to Ramblin Wreck
quote:As a Protestant, specifically Presbyterian, this is my take. The word for bishop in Greek, presbuteros, is also the word for elder.
even though Eusebius refers to the very early leaders in the various churches as bishops, initially these churches had less structure and the role probably is better described as a pastor.
Church or regional elections by members seem to be the way that bishops were chosen.
Posted on 12/29/21 at 7:18 am to bayoubengals88
Hey where is your thread on the the condensing of mainstream Protestantism. I’m a Catholic but enjoy reading and understanding the current day takes on the paths of Christianity.
Posted on 12/29/21 at 10:10 am to CorkRockingham
It was sadly deleted. I’ll remake it here soon as a book discussion because that’s what it is.
New thread is now up
New thread is now up
This post was edited on 12/29/21 at 11:06 am
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