This reference work traces the history of Christianity from the Early Church to the present day. 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 opening section takes events to 1800, and includes chapters on Eastern Christendom, Christianity and Islam, the reformation, the Enlightenment 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 considers the questions of theology, conscience and belief, and explores new images of the Christian community, ending with a glimpse of the future of Christianity. Throughout, the book reflects the changing world in which Christians have found themselves, and gives full weight to events and movements where the Christian response has been challenged and re-evaluated.