Church History: A Complete History
of the Catholic Church to the Present
Day for High School, College and
Adult Reading by Fr John Laux
Solid & Faithful!
From the beginning to 1940. Written for both students and adults. The
author intersperses the history with many brief, interesting biographies of
famous people, and at the end of each chapter he quotes briefly from a
famous writing of the era, blending a medley of elements into a
comprehensive historical composition that is at once brilliant and
fascinating. A story of the Church unparalleled in its scope, depth, variety
and impact, and a book all Catholics should read.
Personal Review: Church History: A Complete History of the
Catholic Church to the Present Day for High School, College and
Adult Reading by Fr John Laux

Father Laux's book titled CHURCH HISTORY is an excellent guide for
those interested in the history of the Catholic Church. There is an obvious
gap regarding the second half of the 20th century, but this book is still very
useful.
Father Laux begins his study with the early Church. His materials are
obviously selections from the Bible, but he also makes use of other
documents that help explain the development of the early Catholic Church.
Father Laux mentions that St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 107 AD)was one of
the first to use the term "Catholic Church." Readers should note that St.
Ignatius of Antioch was a contemporary of St. John who is credited with
writing the Gospel of John and Revelations or the Apocalypse. In other
words the earliest Christians referred to themselves as Catholics and
belonging to the Catholic (Universal Church). If this causes apoplexy
among Protestants who define their religion by Catholic bashing, that is too
bad because the sources are there.
Father Laux gives an interesting account of the survivial of the Catholic
Church even as the central authority of the Roman Empire disintegrated.
This is an important part of the history of the Catholic Church simply
because the Catholic authroities maintained a disciplined organization
which united Europeans when nothing else would. There were obvious
exceptions to this trend, but the fact is that the Catholic Church united
European men and women when there was political chaos during the Dark
Ages (c. 500-750).
Father Laux's treatment of the monks and nuns is important. Father Laux
presents a clear and incisive history of these forgotten heroes and
heroines. The monks and nuns of the so-called dark ages preserved
learning and Western Civilization. Father Laux cites these people for their
devotion and tireless efforts. Readers should note that monks and nuns
hand copied books including the Bible. They taught men how to drain
swamps, clear land, farm, rotate crops, etc. The monastic schools and the
schools organized for nuns were the only ones that existed until the
development of the cathedral schools and universities which were
developed later.
Father Laux did a credible job regarding the power struggles between the
European secular rulers and Catholic authorities. For example readers
should consult his explanation of the power struggle between the German
ruler Henry IV (1056-1106)vs. Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085). These
struggles were crucial for the survial of the Catholic Church if the Catholic
authorities were to have credibility both as religious men and women and
as the Universal Church rather than a national church with limited vision
and narrow scope.
Father Laux does an outstanding job in detailing the history of the Catholic
universities and the great philosophical achievement of the Scholastic
scholars. One should note Father Laux's appreciation of St. Thomas

Aguinas (1225-1274). Those who make the blunder that the Catholic
authroities tried to keep men and women ignorant cannot explain that if
this were so, then why the Catholic authorities promote universities to
educate larger numbers of people.
Father Laux shows surprising objectivity in assessing the Renaissance
Catholic Church and then explaining the Reformation. For example, he
gives an honest and charitible view of Savanrola (1452-1498). Father
Laux is clear that while Savanarola was executied for heresy, Savanarola
exectuion was political. In other words, Father Laux praises a supposed
heretic who was probably a decent man.
Father Laux's graphic descriptions of the events during the Reformation
are specific and honest. Father Laux does not conceal some of the
problems and corruption within the Catholic Church during the 15th and
16th centuries. Yet, Father Laux also gives high praise to the Counter
Reformation and especially the work of the Jesuits. Readers should read
FAther Laux's description of St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) and St.
Francis Xavier (1509-1552). Part of the Counter Reformation included the
significant work that Catholic missionaries did in the Americans beginning
in the 16th century.
Father Laux has good details regarding the modern Catholic
Church(modern to the publication date of the book). He explains the
gradual loss of the land belonging to the Papal States. He deals with the
challenge of "Modernity." Father Laux's assessments of modern Popes
and dignatarie are worth reading.
While no one could write a complete history of the Catholic Church without
producing something close to a five foot book shelf, Father Laux's book is
a very good start. He is suprisingly honest and writes well. Father Laux
refers readers to other sources. A good companion volume is Thomas
Woods book titled HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILT WESTERN
CIVILIZATION. Father Laux's CHURCH HISTORY is well worth reading.
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