The History of Christianity in Britain and Ireland: From the First Century to the Twenty-First

The history of the British Isles is incomprehensible without an understanding of the Christian faith that has shaped it. Introduced from abroad when the nations of these islands were still in their infancy, Christianity has provided the framework for their development from the beginning.Gerald Bray's comprehensive overview demonstrates how, over time, Christianity in Britain and Ireland has been remarkably creative in adapting to new challenges presented by the need to preach the gospel of Christ to different generations in a variety of circumstances. As a result, it is at once a recognisable offshoot of the universal church and a world of its own. Furthermore, it has impacted the remarkable spread of Christianity world-wide in recent times.Historians have done much to explain the details of how the church has evolved separately in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but a synthesis of the whole has rarely been attempted. Yet the story of one nation cannot be understood properly without involving the others; hence, Gerald Bray situates individual narratives in an overarching framework.A History of Christianity in Britain and Ireland draws on current scholarship and presents it in a form accessible to a general readership; it also serves as a reference work for students of both history and theology.