Catholic Thought discussion

It would probably be a good idea for the reader to keep a copy of the Bible nearby while reading the early chapters of this history. It would allow a correlation of the events of history to the events described in the Bible; you will see that they are very closely aligned.

In Chapters One and Two Dr. Carroll observes that original sin as described in Genesis would make one wonder why man was permitted to live at all after offending God.

While Dr. Carroll discusses the world as far back as the ninth millennium B.C., the biblical perspective begins to take over at about 2000 - 1800 B.C. with the blessing of Abraham by Melchisedek. Abraham remains the Father in Faith for billions of human beings, every Christian, Jew and Muslim that has ever lived.

In subsequent chapters we will be able to follow the Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. I find it fascinating to follow biblical characters while reading Dr. Carroll’s account of “Christendom.”

Please add your comments and observations.

The Introduction has the author’s explanation I was looking for why he is writing a history of Christendom and not of Christianity. He is including the “lay or temporal order insofar as it is penetrated and influenced by Christianity”. (p. 10)

I liked the author’s broad look at ancient cultures, civilizations in Chapter One. The historical placing of original sin, loss of Eden, and the flood in the evolution of man are all well taken.

It is interesting that the people of the first civilizations, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Harappa, all had the instinct to know that there was something or some being that was larger than them. They all believed in a god or gods of some sort. Although, the beliefs of the first ancients was not a belief in the God of Abraham, the people had an awareness or ancient memory (from the garden of Eden?) of a supreme being.

C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity, states "...when I open that particular man called Myself, I find that I do not exist on my own, that I am under a law; that somebody or something wants me to behave in a certain way." The ancient peoples must have been thinking along these lines.

I agree with you Galicius about the author's broad look at ancient cultures and civilizations. It's really fascinating.

I am really enjoying this book. His writing is so personal, touching at times, etc. I've been reading the Bible in a year with the Navarre version which has, in it's commentary, a similar breakdown of time lines with the Biblical narrative so I've seen this before.

Has anyone read any of this author's other books? This is the first of a six volume set. I'm finding him very easy to read in that his writing just flows. Sadly, I saw that he passed away in 2011.

Leslie, this is the first time I have read any of Dr. Carroll's books. However, he does have a series of history lectures on iTunes University under Christendom College.

He's written a bunch! I think someday I'd like to read his book on Queen Isabella of Spain.

Leslie wrote: "Has anyone read any of this author's other books? This is the first of a six volume set. I'm finding him very easy to read in that his writing just flows. Sadly, I saw that he passed away in 2011."

I have read his second volume "the Building of Christendom" and enjoyed it very much. We lost a talented historian in 2011; his wife had to finish volume 6 after his death. It is gratifying that they were close enough in their love of history that she was able to do that. I have volume 6 but have not read it.

Susan Margaret wrote: "Leslie, this is the first time I have read any of Dr. Carroll's books. However, he does have a series of history lectures on iTunes University under Christendom College."

He was the founder of Christendom College, it is noted as a truly Catholic college, so his legacy lives on.

Yesterday I spent a little time looking up Christendom College, their reading list, which was pretty good, and looked at his Goodreads profile. I kept thinking as I read this, this guy would probably have been a terrific professor. I'm sure I will go on read the next book as well.

For me, even though I'm familiar with all of this history (though couldn't spout it off of course), and I've read the Bible, I find that his way of describing each scene and story makes some new thought about it pop into my head.

I can't honestly say why, buy I feel like I'm seeing a fresh view on Moses. Reading Carroll, I think I see Moses more favourably and his connection to a future Messiah feels more true.

He also does a terrific job of weighing the debates over each theory as you mentioned at the beginning. I love that he doesn't just say...this is controversial and leave it there. Isn't it nice to be able to form a nice timeline in your head? It really brings it all to life.

Leslie wrote: "Yesterday I spent a little time looking up Christendom College, their reading list, which was pretty good, and looked at his Goodreads profile. I kept thinking as I read this, this guy would proba..."

I am sure that if Dr. Carroll were alive he would be very gratified by your comments.