This book tells the story of Christianity from its origins to the present day. Written by a team of scholars it spans 2000 years of incident to give an authoritative history of Christianity for the general reader. Every aspect of the faith is explored. The introduction discusses Christian interpretations of the historical process, and the links and tensions between religious and artistic inspiration. The first section runs chronologically from the earliest Christian communities to 1800, and includes chapters on Eastern Christendom, Christianity and Islam, the reformation, the englightenment and the expansion of Christianity. The second section is divided by geographical area, and covers the period from 1800 to the present day. There are special studies of Britain and Europe, North America, South America, Africa, India, the Far East and the Orthodox Churches of Eastern Europe. The final section, "Christianity Today and Tomorrow" considers questions of Christian theology, conscience and belief and explores new images of the Christian community. Throughout, the book reflects the changing world in which Christians here found themselves, and gives full weight to events and movements where the Christian response has been challenged and re-evaluated.