A primary source reader of 100 selections that addresses medieval Christendom in the context of world history. It combines the traditional material (from medieval church hierarchical and theological documents) with the newer material of cultural studies -- diversity within European Christianity (women mystics, heretics, and popular religion), and diversity without (non-European Christianity and relations with Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism). Each chapter offers-- a central theme and a chapter-ending essay that ties together the readings; -- five topics section; -- introductory material for each reading, including the selection's provenance, authorship, and historical context.

Introduction; Part 1 Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy; Chapter 1 Jew and Gentile; Chapter 2 Christian and Roman; Chapter 3 Heterodoxy and Orthodox; Chapter 4 Life and Death; Part 2 Patterns of Accommodation in Late Antiquity, circa 350-750; Chapter 5 The Heritage of the Middle Ages; Chapter 6 The Power of Christian Saints; Chapter 7 Adaptations of Christianity Outside the Roman World; Chapter 8 Christian Acculturation in Western Europe; Part 3 Christian Society in the Early Middle Ages, circa 600-1050; Chapter 9 Christian Kingship and Society; Chapter 10 Christian Education and Theology; Chapter 11 Christian Practice and Literature; Chapter 12 Christian Diversity and Accommodation; Part 4 The Spirit of Order and Prophecy, circa 1050-1200; Chapter 13 Corporate and Individual Reform; Chapter 14 Christians, Muslims, and Jews; Chapter 15 Ways of Knowing; Chapter 16 Individual Diversity; Part 5 New Paths of Order and Prophecy, circa 1200-1300; Chapter 17 Orthodox Reform; Chapter 18 Over the Line; Chapter 19 Popular Religion; Chapter 20 Cross-Cultural Exchange; Part 6 Change and Contact in the Late Middle Ages, circa 1300-1500; Chapter 21 Dissent and Reform in Late Medieval Christendom; Chapter 22 Diversity in Christianity; Chapter 23 Religious Expression; Chapter 24 Cross-Cultural Contact;