Christianity in Culture : A Historical Quest

In Christianity in Culture, the author reflects upon the interaction of Christianity and culture. Although the history of the Church is often prominent in this book, the subject is not that of Church history. The history of the institution known as "church" is important to this story because the Church, like all institutions, becomes a component of culture, reflecting and influencing ideas. The Church is an institution devised to make Christianity real and tangible and, like all institutions, has changed over time in both structure and organization. The reformations of the sixteenth century, for instance, had repercussions as such that today it is no longer possible to speak simply of "the Church" without acknowledging its fragmentation. Sommerfeldt describes these competing ideas of Christianity without supporting any one side. Rather, the author provides the cultural and historical background that will enable the reader to understand the differing positions of Christianity.