112 - A History of Christianity - Volume 1: From the Beginnings to the Threshold of the Reformation

A History of Christianity - Volume 1:
From the Beginnings to the Threshold of the Reformation
By Kurt Aland
Philadelphia, Fortress, 1985. 474 pp. $24.95.

This, the first of a two volume translation by James L. Schaaf of Geschichte der Christenheit (Gutersloh, Gerd Mohn, 1980), presents the substance of Kurt Aland's lectures on the "Outline of Church History" at the University of Munster where he is Professor of Church

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History and New Testament Textual Research. As the translator remarks in his preface: "It is hoped that readers will be able to visualize themselves sitting in Aland's classroom and learning from his long experience as a student of the history of Christianity." The origin and character of the book are the source of both its strengths and its drawbacks. First, as to style, the text is both choppy and repetitive in a way which words written to be read normally are not. This in itself need not be a hindrance, but after some four hundred pages it does begin to wear. Here the translator does not help his author. While some of the repetitive word use is acceptable in the original German (a language in which play on word stems and phonemes is at times stylish), in English it leaves an unfavorable impression. Phrases like "at this time" or "in these times" while accurately rendering the original are superfluous in the translation. At times, phrases are not translated when they should be, e.g. "Sitz im Leben." At times, the translator chooses renderings which scholars in the field would have difficulties recognizing. Overall, the English version makes the author's book sound more like an undergraduate essay than the considered judgment of a mature scholar.

Beyond the problem of style is that of purpose. The original lectures were no doubt designed to accompany course readings. Aland comments upon the course of the history of Christianity, bringing to bear his insights and judgements. While there are chronological tables in the back of the book, the author does not provide a meticulous survey of events and individuals, especially in the first part of the book dealing with the ancient church. There are no footnotes, and there is no bibliography. No suggested readings are provided for those interested in pursuing a topic further. What he has to say is interesting and valuable. I learned a great deal. But it often presupposes a knowledge that many students lack. These lectures should complement a basic textbook, not supplant it.

Aland approaches the material from a faith perspective and with a concern for the failings of the modern day church. Though hastening to describe the shortcomings of even the apostolic church, he nonetheless finds it a healthy corrective to the safe and satisfied modern churches. He also takes to task most modern scholars on the primitive church for their hypercritical approach to that church and its documents. He accuses them of applying standards which even mundane secular testimonies could not meet. Aland's discussion of the ministry of women in the primitive church, though in substance laudable, does pose methodological problems. In effect, he argues that women held many important positions in the church, but that beginning with St. Paul there was a reaction that led to their effective exclusion. Since Paul's letters are the oldest parts of the canon, the evidence for the reaction predates that for the "original" state of affairs. This should have been clarified.

Aland's general outlook is that of a concerned, irenic Lutheran. Luther makes his appearance early and often, although the volume ends before the Reformation begins. For example, Aland employs Luther's

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inspired if inconsistent interpretation of the selection of texts for inclusion in the canon of Scripture. Aland's explanation of the forces fueling the Reformation-oppressed consciences and a desire for certainty of salvation on the part of a significant number of late medieval Catholics-sees both the Reformation and the Later Middle Ages through Luther's eyes. But it is well and fairly done. The scandals of the medieval church are emphasized, but without rancor. In sum, this is a book that might be read with some profit by students, laity, ministers, and professors. But it should probably not be the first book one reads on the topic.

R. Emmet McLaughlin
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut