Pre-modern European history is replete with moments of encounter. At the end of arduous sea and land journeys; and en route; Europeans met people who challenged their assumptions and certainties about the world. Some sought riches; others allies; some looked for Christian converts and some aimed for conquest. Others experienced the forced cultural encounter of exile. Many travelled only in imagination; forming ideas which have become foundational to modern mentalities: race; ethnicity; nation; and the nature of humanity. The consequences were profound: both productive and destructive. At the beginning of the third millennium CE we occupy a world shaped by those centuries of travel and encounter. This collection examines key themes and moments in European cultural expansion. Unlike many studies it spans both the medieval and early modern periods; challenging the stereotype of the post-Columbus 'age of discovery'. There is room too for examining cross-cultural relationships within Europe and regions closely linked to it; to show that curiosity; conflict and transformation could result from such meetings as they did in more far-flung realms. Several essays deal with authors; events; and ideas which will be unfamiliar to most readers but which deserve greater attention in the history of encounter and exploration.
#830427 in Books 2015-10-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.80 x 1.10 x 4.51l; 1.03 #File Name: 1941663532301 pages
Review
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful. An Interesting and Engaging WorkBy MarkThis book was and is a very pleasant read. A few adjectives i would use to describe it are: informative; interesting; well organized; thorough and extremely well presented. If you are one of those people who are interested in Church history as well as the development of her traditions this book is for you. If you are one of those people who are interested in apologetics work; this book is for you. If you are one of those people who like to learn things you never knew before; chances are this book is for you. Unlike other books that present many of the sayings of the early church fathers this author takes a different approach. (Not to take away from other books that are very informative as well as great resources.)The book contains many of the usual suspects when confronting non Catholics in reference to the church's teachings on Mary; Salvation; Indulgences; Purgatory; the seven sacraments and other mainline teachings of the church. What i like is Mr. Papandrea's approach to the various subjects with solid reasoning. He explains thoroughly where the teaching or dogma comes from and how; when and why it developed in the early church. For example; some of the reasons for the sacrament of marriage may surprise you. During the discourse; the author introduces us to some of the quotes from various church fathers. He doesn't spend a tremendous amount of time on everything they had to say and does not bore us with a bunch of facts and dates all at once. He unfolds the facts a little at a time and you will have that moment when you will stop and think to yourself; "I didn't know that." His explanation of salvation in relation to grace and works and faith alone is well done and he shows us how we and some other Protestant groups aren't really much different in our beliefs.I found this book an easy read yet very engaging and hard to put down. I would recommend it to anyone wherever they are in their walk of faith. I would probably give it to someone who is thinking of coming into the church or going through RCIA. It's a good reference as well as one of the best apologetic works i have ever read. Though James L. Papandrea may not be one of those names you have never heard of yet; his work belongs "up there" alongside Tim Staples and Jimmy Akin. There is so much more to be said about how really great this book is! For now i can only say I will look forward to more books by this author.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. The author is particularly good on the New TestamentBy OXFORD DONThere are many studies of the Early Church Fathers that demonstrate that the Roman Catholic Church as we now know it was ;in its essentials; fully in place by the end of the third century. The teachings of the Fathers were from the apostles or from those whom the apostles taught. There is a continuity of teaching and practice constant for two thousand years from Peter to Francis. However; this work is the clearest and most forceful of all the many such books that I have read in many decades. It is also informed by profound scholarship with a multitude of references. The author is particularly good on the New Testament. Showing that the Bible is a product of; comes FROM; the Church and not the other way round. That; in fact; there was no NT as we understand it until the Church assembled and canonized the 27 books. Protestants love to say that their churches are based on the Bible. But the the Bible is;in fact; based on the Church. It always amazes me how little protestants know about the history of the Bible--as if it were lowered from Heaven on a golden rope. If protestants believe that the NT is the revealed word of God; they must believe that the Church was without error when she assembled it--that it got the right 27 books of the many gospels floating around at the time. But if the Church was without error then;one asks protestants;"why are you not Catholic"? Or; when exactly did the Church fall into error; and how is that possible since Christ promised to be with her until "the consummation of the world"?As the Bible is the book of the Church;belongs to the Church; she is the final authority on its meanings. For that reason; I never debate with protestants about scripture interpretation. Luther; Calvin ;Henry VIII were just 16th century guys who had no authority whatever to teach anyone anything about Christianity. The truth of that can be seen in the proliferation of protestant sects (30K and counting). Unfortunately; the author does engage in such analysis which inevitably lends credence to a variety of heretical views--he even speaks of "denominations". But the Catholic Church is not one "denomination" among others-- it is THE Church; as the author has so clearly demonstrated in the first part of his book. This does no favor to protestants whose central heresy is private judgement. Better just to say that the faith by which all men must live is the faith of the See of Peter--and leave it at that.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A very clear; approachable look at the inter-relationship between ...By ChickA very clear; approachable look at the inter-relationship between Christ; the Church; Scripture; Tradition and Apostolic succession. Dr. Papandrea explores the writings of several of the Fathers of the Church as they examined what it is to be Christian and how to remain true the the church founded by Jesus and preached by the Apostles
