Arthur Cushman McGiffert (1861–1933)

This extraordinary effort, published in 1897, is a tour de force. McGiffert conducts a detailed examination of the early church from its origins in synagogues to becoming distinctly separate. He illuminates some of the leading ideas of the church in the first century. In addition to the principles underlying Paul's teaching is a major section on Paul's work including the context of his letters responding to attacks of his enemies. Later chapters deal with the importance of Peter, the show more Johannine Writings, the Gnostics, James, and the churches of Rome and Asia. 672 pages make the task of reading from cover to cover rather daunting. Nevertheless, the information strikes me as quite relevant today. RMB,CSBS show less

First president of the Unitarians.

INDEX; CHAPTER NOTES