Includes bibliographical references (p. [535]-578) and index
pt. 1. The church triumphs over paganism A.D. 30-600 -- pt. 2. The making of Christendom A.D. 600-1300 -- pt. 3. The unmaking of Christendom A.D. 1300-1650 -- pt. 4. The church in a state of siege A.D. 1650-1891 -- pt. 5. The state of siege is slowly lifted A.D. 1891-
"Thomas Bokenkotter divides his study into five parts that correspond to the major historical and epochal developments in Catholicism. His authoritative, thorough approach takes readers from the Church's triumph over paganism through "the sound and fury of renewal," to new section devoted to such topics as dissent, current developments in the ecumenical movement, and liberation theology. Informative illustrations throughout the book, new to this edition, enrich the reader's experience, and the addition of a wide-ranging bibliography increases its value as a sourcebook."--BOOK JACKET