Introduction to Christianity for a New Millennium

Without presupposing prior knowledge this accessibly written introduction to Christianity covers the entire history of the religion from its Old Testament foundations up to the present, including the significant individuals, events, doctrines, and rituals of the faith. Sinclair surveys the major historical forms of Christianity (Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism) and the contemporary issues that divide Christians today (e.g., homosexuality). The book also tackles such difficult topics as the origin and relevance of biblical prophecy, the historicity and significance of the miracles of Jesus (and the resurrection), combining evolution and biblical faith, and producing an intellectually coherent explanation of the Trinity and the Incarnation. Throughout the book, Sinclair carefully explains what he himself believes as a contemporary critical Christian and why, and provides readers with enough information to form their own independent opinions. He also acknowledges the dark side of Christian history—the crusades, anti-Semitism, the wars between Catholics and Protestants, the forced imposition of Christianity on native peoples—even as he celebrates the spiritual depth and dazzling cultural achievements of the largest religion in the world.

To me the overwhelming, indeed stunning, achievement of this work is the way it consistently makes Christian faith and practice in context over time simple without being simplistic, shallow, or conventional. Often contending ideas, which in their day generated emotional heat and volumes of literature, are all given their due, respectually but succinctly and non-technically. One who knows the territory can appreciate the achievement and still learn something. The 'beginner' for whom the work is intended can read and learn much without needing back up texts, glossaries, or other supplemental material. It's all there in an amazingly accessible way., Scott Sinclair's An Introduction to Christianity for a New Millennium is a fair-minded, gracious, and most readable work, written from the perspective of a 'moderately liberal' Episcopalian. Sinclair offers a clearly articulated and noble attempt to make faith credible in an age of skepticism and consumerism. Individuals of diverse perspectives and backgrounds have much to learn from the book's lucid and thoughtful engagement with Christ and culture., This is an admirably concise analysis of Christian beliefs from the mind of a fine biblical scholar and the heart of a committed Christian. Sinclair fuses the eye of history with the eye of faith to produce a richly informative and edifying account of the legacy of the great Nazarene.

Scott Sinclair is an Episcopal priest and holds a PhD in biblical studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He has taught at the University of California, Davis and Codrington College, Barbados. Presently, he is an adjunct professor at the Dominican University of California. He has written a series of books on the New Testament, including RevelationA Book for the Rest of Us, A Study Guide to Mark's Gospel, A Study Guide to Paul's Letter to the Romans, and The Past from God's Perspective: A Commentary on John's Gospel. These books combine faith and critical scholarship and make the ancient biblical message relevant to the modern world.