The Illustrated History of Christianity

How does one graphically portray "Lutheran" Sweden or "Catholic" Spain, where 98% of the population is claimed but only 3.6% and 15%, respectively, are actually practicing? How many Orthodox Christians are left in Russia and other states of the former USSR? How to reckon the number and life of Christians persecuted in China or Indonesia? Atlases are generally limited to sketching political hegemony, along ethnic and national lines. Indeed, the first 1500 years of Christianity can be largely conveyed by graphics that are primarily geographical. Yet as we approach the modern period, where the creedal preferences of rulers and governments are no longer determinative, and the bonds of the old ethnic religions have slackened, the geographical portrayal of religion becomes problematic. Franklin Littell's method in "The Illustrated History of Christianity" is best conveyed by the term "confrontation." He highlights those times and places of crisis and decision in which the shape and direction of the Christian movement was determined. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of Christians and Jews and to the encounter of Christianity and Islam.