From iconic Biblical texts to influential essays and papal opinions, Milestone Documents of Christianity explores nearly 80 primary sources about the world's largest religion. This 3-volume installment in the acclaimed “Milestone Documents" series of reference sets pairs the text of each document (in English or English translation) with in-depth scholarly commentary and analysis, guiding students and researchers to a better understanding of the document's historical context.
Features and Benefits
Milestone Documents of Christianity is a useful reference for students and researchers exploring critical eras, events, themes, and cultures in the history of Christianity. It supports key courses at the high school and college level and is an ideal starting point for research projects and papers. In addition, the scholarly commentary assists students and researchers in engaging with primary documents, analyzing textual sources, and comparing and contrasting historical texts, events, eras, and religious movements.
Organization and Format
The set is organized chronologically in three volumes. Within each volume, entries likewise are arranged chronologically by year.
Each entry in Milestone Documents of Christianity follows the same structure using the same standardized headings. The entries are divided into three main sections: Fact Box, Commentary and Analysis, and Document Text. Following is the full list of entry headings:
- The Fact Box includes the basic facts of the document: the year it was created, the author, the document type, and a statement summarizing the historical significance.
- Overview gives a brief summary of the document and its importance in history.
- Context places the document in its historical framework.
- About the Author presents a brief biographical profile of the person or persons who wrote the document, if known.
- Explanation and Analysis of the Document consists of a detailed examination of the text, generally in section-by-section or paragraph-by-paragraph format.
- Questions for Further Study proposes study questions for students.
- Further Reading lists books, articles, and websites for further research.
- Document Text includes the full or abridged text of the document, in English or English translation. Abridgements of the text are indicated by ellipses.
- Glossary defines important, difficult, or unusual terms in the document text
Each entry features the byline of the scholar who wrote the commentary.
