This book is a long awaited update to the first major study of a Christian community which has developed an approach to faith and life which is different from all other churches.

Situated on a high plateau surrounded by steep escarpments, Ethiopia has a unique geography which saw the beginnings of the human race. Its culture is nurtured by its links with Europe, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia. This has contributed to one of the longest archaeological records of any country in the world and the rich life of an ancient church with a remarkable legacy.

This new edition is updated throughout and it engages more deeply with recent work on the origins of the church and on Christological controversies. It also provides a critical analysis of the role which Ethiopian churches played in recent war and division which have brought changes within the country and the church. There is a new introduction showing how this is a distinctive African form of Christianity, and a brand new chapter on the tragic wars and violence since 2018. It concludes with a recognition of the role that women have played in the Christianity of the country.