The Catholic Tradition

Book excerpt: Langan (philosophy, U. of Toronto) examines the history of the Catholic Church and the origins of its teachings since the Church's conception. Although committed to the Catholic religion, he does not obscure the Church's failings as he lays out the fundamentals of the faith. He provides insights into the great Christological councils, discusses the differences in the spiritualities of East and West, and portrays the crucial roles that the pope and bishops played during the Middle Ages. Incorporating the thought of Augustine, Acquinas, and medieval Catholicism, he traces the rise and decline of Christian Europe and the issues raised by reform. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR