Ex-library copy.

A History of Christianity by British journalist & author Johnson aims to be comprehensive. Roman Catholic, he takes the view that "During these two millennia Christianity has, perhaps, proved more influential in shaping human destiny than any other institutional philosophy, but there are now signs that its period of predominance is drawing to a close, thereby inviting a retrospect & a balance sheet." He argues for the need for unbiased factual "Christianity is essentially a historical religion. It bases its claims on the historical facts it asserts. If they are demolished it is nothing." "A Christian with faith has nothing to fear from the facts." The book isn't an apology & presents a hard-lined discussion of many atrocities committed in the name of Xianity. He admits such in the Epilogue, saying his book "has necessarily stressed failures & shortcomings, & its institutional distortions." But he claims Xianity is self-correcting, with an "outstanding moral merit to invest the individual with a conscience, & bid him to follow it" & states "it is thus no accident that all the implantations of freedom throughout the world have ultimately a Christian origin."