We are going to have to move through material pretty quickly in the next several weeks. In order to expedite matters, I would appreciate it if you would skim the first two books (not chapters) of Euesebius of Caesarea's History of the Church for Tuesday's class (April 9). Read more carefully the first two pages and a few passages that particularly get your attention. We are going to be looking at Eusebius' strengths and weaknesses as a historian.
In my view, a good history should be interesting. Do Books I and II meet this standard? What do you find interesting in these books? Does Eusebius ever lose your attention? If so, why?
Please bring the book to class with you Tuesday.
I found it interesting how Eusebius quotes and talks about many other authors and contrasts them with divine scripture. Some of the topics he talks about were interesting - I liked his explanation of the genealogy difference in Matthew and Luke. Some of the things in the first few sections of book I were pretty dry, though. Sometimes it seems like he’s pretty wordy, or adds things that aren’t really important or necessary? I’m excited to learn more about this guy and his book in class.
ReplyDeleteI think both books were interesting. I find it interesting that these books cover so much time into about 30ish pages. They cover very important stuff on Jesus and the apostles. I did not really lose my attention much because it was kind of brief and then went to the next topic. I think these books give you both a in-depth and good overview. I think quoting the Bible will help everyone understand this author. I thought Jesus and Christ names were known during Moses's time was a very interesting part.
ReplyDeleteIf I am being completely honest, parts of the first 2 books, especially the first, lost my attention. There were a few factors in this, be it a college basketball game or opening day of baseball season, but my mind did wander a bit.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I really appreciated they way the first 2 books basically lay out Jesus and the Apostles. I love the connections to the old testament and especially like the word uses that are brought out. Like Donavan, I thought it was very interesting that so much time was covered in just 30 or so pages. I am excited about reading more of this book.
Just skimming the books and it hard for me to understand but when I did understand a portion I found it to be interesting. In particular I found the portion about the disciples to be very interesting I had never really heard about the seventy disciples before .
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