Admittedly, 75% of what you write goes entirely over my head. I actually have to google some of the big words you use. But I inevitably feel smarter after doing so.

However, I have been wondering if the little avatar you use is an accurate representation of yourself? Because that is exactly how I picture you now.

Pelikan was of course in a class by himself as an historian, and the six volumes you are making your way through were his magnum opus. His death in May 2006 left a gaping hole in Christian historiography. As you may know, towards the end of his life (1998?) he left Lutheranism to become Orthodox. That is a common occurrence for those who read Church history--as Newman so famously said in his Essay on the Development of Doctrine, "to be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant." Many become Catholic, while not a few become Orthodox.

Add Fox's Book of Martyrs to your list. It will lead to others and the study will continue along adding more and more volumes. My favorite so far is The Life of Christ by William Fredric Farrar. It is online or download-able as a pdf. Excellent read.

Danielle,
I like to think I'm better looking than the avatar, but I suppose in time that will change. People who know me seem to think it's a decent rendering. I don't necessarily like these people.

Adam and Chronicler, thanks for the references.