Single volume of the comprehensive multi-volume work that examines the development of the Christian Church from its beginnings through the late medieval period, culminating just before the Protestant Reformation. The book explores the Church's doctrine, faith, practice, and key figures, while also considering the cultural, political, and economic contexts of both the Patristic and Medieval periods. It delves into the evolution of Church structure, the rise of monasticism, the development of theological thought, and the various challenges and controversies faced by the Church throughout its history. The work also explores the abuses and corruption within the Church that ultimately contributed to the Reformation.