Renan, Joseph Ernest (1823-1892).

Renan, Joseph Ernest (1823-1892). -- from Wikipedia Article

History of the Origins of Christianity. Book I. Life of Jesus.

Description: During Renan’s lifetime, Life of Jesus achieved considerable notoriety. It examined the life of Christ purely historically, following the trends of 19th century German higher criticism. Renan was wary of accepting the historicity of any supernatural elements in the New Testament, and his skeptical reading of the Gospels led him to deny the divinity of Christ. Since its publication, Life of Jesus has powerfully shaped the fields of modern biblical criticism and Christology. It has inspired many supplements, replies, and rebuttals, including Albert Schweitzer’s Quest of the Historical Jesus.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

History of the Origins of Christianity. Book II. The Apostles.

Description: This book belongs to a seven-volume series, the first of which, Life of Jesus, is the most famous (or infamous). The Apostles, the second volume, is a sequel of sorts to Life of Jesus, telling the story of the events immediately following Christ’s death. The historian follows the spread of Christianity from the Apostles to all across Europe and the Near East, documenting Pentecost and the establishment of the first churches. Renan’s historical account reflects his background in 19th century German higher criticism of the Bible.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

History of the Origins of Christianity. Book III. Saint Paul.

Description: This book belongs to a seven-volume series, the first of which, Life of Jesus, is the most famous (or infamous). Saint Paul, the third volume, covers the life, conversion, missionary journeys, and death of Paul the Apostle. Comparing the events documented in the Book of Acts to other ancient sources, the historian concludes that the dates and places mentioned in Acts are historically accurate. Renan’s account reflects his background in 19th century German higher criticism of the Bible.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

History of the Origins of Christianity. Book IV. The Antichrist.

Description: This book belongs to a seven-volume series, the first of which, Life of Jesus, is the most famous (or infamous). The Antichrist, the fourth volume, tells the story of Christianity from a few years after the Crucifixion up to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Much of the book concerns the persecution of early Christians by Nero, to whom the label “antichrist” applies. Renan’s historical account reflects his background in 19th century German higher criticism of the Bible.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

History of the Origins of Christianity. Book V. The Gospels.

Description: This book belongs to a seven-volume series, the first of which, Life of Jesus, is the most famous (or infamous). The Gospels, the fifth volume, tells the story of the composition of the Synoptic Gospels. Renan covers such topics as the persecution of Christians during the Gospels’ composition and various theories concerning the Gospels’ underlying template. As he explains in the introduction, the composition of the Gospel of John, unlike the other Gospels, remains almost entirely shrouded in mystery. Renan’s historical account reflects his background in 19th century German higher criticism of the Bible.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

History of the Origins of Christianity. Book VI. The Reigns of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. (A.D. 117-161)

Description: This book belongs to a seven-volume series, the first of which, Life of Jesus, is the most famous (or infamous). The Reigns of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, the sixth volume, tells the story of Christianity during reigns of two of the 2nd century’s Roman emperors. The book details the development and expansion of Christianity after the more intense persecution of the previous century had ended. No longer facing open persecution, Christians grew in number faster than before along with their various heresies, as Renan explains. The historian’s account reflects his background in 19th century German higher criticism of the Bible.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

History of the Origins of Christianity. Book VII. Marcus-Aurelius.

Description: This book belongs to a seven-volume series, the first of which, Life of Jesus, is the most famous (or infamous). Marcus Aurelius, the seventh volume, concerns the development of the church during the reign of Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius. The historian argues that Marcus Aurelius, famous for his evenhanded rule and contributions to Stoic philosophy, influenced early Christianity greatly. During the emperor’s reign, Christianity adopted Stoic systems and standards of morality that have since survived into the present. Renan’s account reflects his background in 19th century German higher criticism of the Bible.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff