Review

Here is a review of one of my sources on some of the history of Christianity.

website is http://www.bibletruths.net/archives/BTARO65.htm

I should start by saying that the reason I am citing this article is because it does not express theology alone, but historical acts of the Christian faith.
In the first paragraph the author questions if the reader knows the true meaning of Christianity. He then defines it very broadly as "a conglomerate of all religions, regardless of how remotely they resemble the scriptures, that profess to believe in Jesus Christ." He continues (more briefly) that this can range from belief in a personal relationship to mere acknowledgement of Christ's existence.
In the following section he discusses the churches splintering into denominations, and points out that one of the oldest church (the Lutherans) are still 1500 years removed from the life of Christ. He goes further in saying that Catholicism was still not really a full grown and established church until 606 A.D. Even then, the article states, it still did not have many of the doctrines (such as celibacy) for hundreds of more years.
As he takes us back through time, we finally arrive at the first century, what some scholars refer to as "primitive Christianity". It is at this point, that the author loses impartiality. He soon idealizes the 1st century as the good old days, when religion was practiced only for faith, not for a preacher's money. He tells of a simple life of faith and devotion instead of lavish entertainments at congregations. But most of all he states that the word of god was the final reference then, whereas now it is the word of a man. This belief may be true. Or it may not. That is not the purpose of this summary.
In conclusion, the author of this article stated many facts, backed up by solid evidence. On the other hand, he lost his objectivity at the end, and starts to cite sources less and less. As a reference it is useful in referring to the bible, as it uses many passages in the bible to back up it's beliefs, but few outside sources. I guess that's it. Beyond this, I don't really understand what I'm supposed to write about.