Christianity is the most popular religion in the world: having long ago spread beyond its historic heartlands in Europe and the Near East, it has been embraced by hundreds of millions in the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. Christianity: The Illustrated History provides an accessible account of the religion’s origins and development, as well as its key ideas and concepts. On these pages, Christianity comes alive through its mystics, saints, artists, philosophers, and writers—as well as the human story of Christ and his followers.Organized in four parts, this engrossing volume traces Christianity’s growth from small local sect to global power; gives an overview of beliefs, rituals, and festivals within the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions; offers a fascinating survey of sacred scrolls, testaments, apocrypha, and prayers; and examines the issues faced by the religion’s diverse faith communities as they seek to meet the challenges of a new millennium. Gorgeously illustrated throughout, it includes ten special feature spreads that serve as mini-essays on various aspects of art and architecture. The scholarly yet readable text also includes more than 100 fascinating boxes and sidebars that emphasize Christianity’s legacy—from philosophical ideas and educational institutions to selfless traditions of charity and caring.