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Church History Surveys
- 11/17/10
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I have always enjoyed studying history and, over the years, have read several church history texts. One thing I’ve noticed just about every time is that many of these church histories fail to make real distinctions between true gospel-centered Christianity and a kind of inculturated or tradition-based Christianity. That has always been disappointing to me. I suppose I am looking for a history of the true church, of true Christianity, not just a history of what calls itself the church or what considers itself Christian. And so I find that I am still waiting for that slam dunk church history text.
But this is not to say that there are no church histories worth reading. Today I want to draw your attention to just a few of them—a couple that are one-volume and a couple that are multi-volume.
Church History in Plain Language - Bruce Shelley’s Church History in Plain Language is probably the most popular one-volume church history available today. I read it several years ago and quite enjoyed it. It’s very much geared to a popular reader rather than an academic and moves quickly through the grand sweep of 2000 years of history. One aspect I found difficult was that the author did not make those clear distinctions between Christian and Catholic. So especially at and after the time of the Reformation, there was often a lack of clarity in my mind. Nevertheless, if you are looking for an accessible and relatively short church history, this is probably the best place to begin.
Introduction to the History of Christianity - Dowley’s one-volume history of the church was first published in 1977 and reads like a textbook (which is not surprising since it is, indeed, a text for many introductory courses to church history). It features lots of illustrations, sidebars and maps, most in full color, as it describes church history from the Apostles to pope John Paul II. Because it comes from a Lutheran perspective it requires a bit of a discerning mind; the reader will want to think carefully about what is truly Christian and what is Christian only by tradition or culture. Still, it is a text worth owning and worth reading.
[Amazon]
And here are a couple of church history sets:
2000 Years of Christ’s Power - This is a three-volume set written by N.R. Needham and published by Grace Publications. The three volume set begins with the early church and wraps up shortly after the Reformation. A fourth and final volume is supposed to be forthcoming. The volumes are written in such a way that they are accessible even to those outside of the academy. It is also notable that they are written by a historian who is sympathetic to the Reformed position. My one real beef with the series is the covers—it’s just hard to take the series to seriously with such gaudy covers. Nevertheless, this is a good series and overall, the set I’d be most likely to recommend to those interested in doing a lengthy study on the history of the church.
The Christian Tradition - Jaroslav Pelikan has written a five-volume set titled The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine. It stretches from 100 AD all the way to the modern era. These books are far more dense and scholarly than Needham’s set, so will appeal largely to those who may have an academic interest in church history and, in particular, the development of Christian doctrine. It also comes from a wider theological position, so it would probably be good to get oriented in church history before reading it.
The Baker History of the Church was a projected 8-volume set I had enjoyed collecting and it was one that seemed to hold a lot of promise. Unfortunately, however, it seems that the set has been abandoned. Volumes one, two, four and five are currently available, but this offers only a partial study of the history of the church.
I am eager for other suggestions on church history surveys. If you have a favorite, be sure to let me know about it.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (33)
There is a two-volume church history called “The Story of Christianity” by Justo Gonzalez that is easy-to-read and gives a relatively clear picture of things. It is also helpful in chronicling Christianity globally, as opposed to focusing only on the Roman and Eastern Empire traditions. It does have a strand of anti-colonialism, but otherwise is probably the best combination of readability and scholarship.
>>>”many of these church histories fail to make real distinctions between true gospel-centered Christianity and a kind of inculturated or tradition-based Christianity……. I suppose I am looking for a history of the true church, of true Christianity, not just a history of what calls itself the church or what considers itself Christian. And so I find that I am still waiting for that slam dunk church history text.”>>>
Where you see tradition-based Christianity, perhaps the gospel still grows. And where you see ‘gospel-centered Christianity’ perhaps tradition-based Christianity still thrives.
If wheat and tares grow up together, maybe we should expect to see that within the corporate expression of the gospel.
I really enjoyed Justo Gonzalez’ The Story of Christianity.
Volume 1
Volume 2
It’s very long and quite dated, but I enjoyed Philip Schaff’s 8-volume church history. It goes up through the end of the Reformation. The best thing about it was how real the key figures became for me. I found myself feeling a real connection to figures like Tertullian, Chrysostom, and Anselm. Schaff portrays the good and the bad in the heroes of the faith. I’d recommend having a look if only to admire the achievement.
I have read Shelly and Needham with great benefit and profit. They were very helpful during our study of Church History at the church I pastor. Although I did use some of Schaff’s History as well, just to fill in the blanks left in our core textbook. Having read Gonzalez’s work, I have found Needham’s to be much more engaging in the pew.
Tim,
Based on your description of what you’re looking for, I think this book might be up your alley:
Sketches from Church History
Seeing as how it’s a Banner of Truth publication, it should be no surprise that it’s written from a Reformed perspective.
Dave
Rev. Gerald Bray’s lectures were very helpful in this regard. The link for the same is http://www.biblicaltraining.org/church-history-1/gerald-bray
Love and PrayersRenju
My favorite church history resource is “Church History Made Easy” by Paul Timothy Jones. It’s great for anyone at any age and any level.
Denise
I am in the midst of Church History Made Easy, at http://amzn.to/b0ex7W , part of the Rose Bible Basics. It is a great overview with colorful illustrations, charts, timelines and other visual aids.
We used Gonzalez’s two volume set in seminary. It’s solid.
A concise, readable, and particularly helpful book is Mark Noll’s Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. It’s much more selective, but what it lacks in comprehensiveness it more than makes up for in erudition.
I used Sketches from Church History in a Sunday school class once. It is a good general overview, but lack depth. Given what we were using it for, it worked fine.
My 10th grade students are using Justo Gonzalez and I find it both readable and informative. However, I still supplement my preparations by consulting Philip Schaff’s Church history set.
I read the aforementioned “Church History Made Easy” together with my 9-year old son. Very helpful survey for both of us.
Thanks for the resources!
I’m afraid that my education in church history has been pretty weak so far. I’m working to change that for both myself and my kids.
We’ve been reading Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard Hanula. I think this is a great introduction to many of the central figures of church history for younger children (6-10). Happily, it is written from a decidedly reformed perspective.
Blessings!
Just want to affirm those who are talking about Justo Gonzalez text. I am reading it for my History of Christianity class. it reads almost like a novel and yet it is a history. I am enjoying it! Check it out!
A personal favorite of mine (that is easy to read and engaging) is entitled, “A History of the Church from Pentecost to Present” by James B. North.I read it soon after becoming a Christian in 1993 and it launched my interest in church history.
I don’t think everything about the book is probably commendable, but this would give you a different feel then the books you listed:
http://www.amazon.com/Torch-Testimony-John-W-Kennedy/dp/094023212X
I meant “than” :-)
I am currently teaching an adult class in our church using Timothy Paul Jones’ “Christian History Made Easy.” It’s a brief overview with lots of pictures; great for this setting. I don’t think you would want anything more in depth for an introductory church class. Also, I use the powerpoint presentation that is also available from Rose Publishing, which has saved me hours of work. In my own preparation I have used Shelly’s book as well as Jonathan Hill’s “Zonervan Handbook to the History of Christianity” (rather liberal if I may say) and the old standby”A History of the Christian Church” by Williston Walker et.al.
I would like to add that one aspect of teaching a church history class at church is that I have had to be very deliberate about making the class about God. He is the Lord of history, the Alpha and Omega etc. It’s easy to just slip into history mode: now let’s talk about what Constantine did, now lets talk about Athanasius, now let’s talk about the Goths, and so on. It takes a lot of effort, but it’s definitely worth while, to think about how God was working and give Him glory for what He has done. Studying church history can be worship (or at least lead to worship).
I would second the recommendation for Gerald Bray’s lectures on Church History at http://www.biblicaltraining.org , very engaging and edifying, with some unique insights. That site also has a complete course on Luther from Gordon Conwell.
There are also many other entire courses out on “iTunes U”. I’ve heard some lectures on Church History from Reformed Theological Seminary (they have 2 Complete 2-part courses by Frank James and Donald Forston) , and Covenant Theological Seminary (2 Courses from David Calhoun).
I still like Gerald Bray quite a bit.
There are many other audio lectures out there, particularly good if you spend a lot of time commuting.
Tom
Although I believe I understand your frustration i.e. distinguishing between true Christianity and Roman Catholicism.
I believe it is important to remember that Protestantism came out of Roman Catholicism. One great Christian that I think about within Catholicism is Augustine.
Also from my reading of Church history I think it is fair to say that early Roman Catholicism in a lot of respects is different than modern day Roman Catholicism.
God has always had His remnant throughout the history of the Church.
I echo the previous comments about the profitability of Justo Gonzalez’s work. I discovered several years back that he has condensed his work into an extremely compact work. Read about it here: http://cbumgardner.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/justo-gonzalez-church-histor…. Well worth getting! If nothing else, it is short enough (yet as thorough as something that size can be!) that you could give it a quick read every year or two to refresh yourself on the big picture of church history.
I love Church History in Plain Language, although I agree with you, at times you don’t know who is on which side :)
Another good one is The Church in History by Kuiper.
And for busy people who only want to read a quick review of Church History I would recommend, The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History by Curtis, Lang and Petersen.
Happy reading every one!
Thank for this post. Love learning about how the Lord keeps His Word and His people through the centuries. I have listened to James White’s 49 lectures a couple times -and have been really blessed as he not only teaches the facts, but wants his listeners to grow in the faith and be encouraged by seeing God at work. Great for commutes and while doing work around the house.http://www.prbc.org/Sermons2.htmBlessings Phil
“The Story of Christianity” by Gonzalez is available in a single hardcover (rather than two separate volumes). Very readable and covers a very wide range - which a person would certainly not get through any one denominational perspective - of what is important history. It’s $10 for a used copy at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Story-Christianity-Early-Church-Present/dp/1565635…
Noll is more academic than I prefer for a basic class on church history.
Chuck - thank you for mention of the 95 page summary by Gonzalez. I’m going to get a copy and consider using it for a class. There are currently 5 used copies of this available for less than $2 through Amazon.
Marvin Olasky, Editor in Chief at World Magazine had a book review in their Nov 6 edition concerning the series: “The Christians: Their First Two Thousand Years”. Based on his review, I am going to check them out. They have out 8 volumes of 12 planned. Unfortunately, his review (online) is pay only $5 (1 month subscription.) Volume 9 should be out (Nov 15th.) Here is link if you want to check out monthly subscription & review:http://www.worldmag.com/articles/17241
I know many people have already suggested “The Story of Christianity” by Gonzalez but I wanted to throw in my recommendation as well, for what it’s worth.
We used it as the text for a under-grad Church History class I took, and it was one of the only books I can think of that the whole class would take the time to read even the unassigned chapters. It’s that good.
I personally like Earle Cairns, “Christianity Through the Centuries.” It was a supplemental text in seminary and I thought it was a great intro.
http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Through-Centuries-Earle-Cairns/dp/031…
Ive been listening through the History of Christianity I course from Reformed Theological Seminary (Dr. Frank A. James III)through iTunes University, a free resource and easily accessible through the iPhone or iPad. Lots of other RTS courses in there too, I plan on doing more when I’m done here!
I also have Philip Schaff’s volume, which I enjoy reading on topics from, but sometimes the old English is difficult for me…Probably just a sign I need to read it more!
I really like a book called “Heroes and Heretics” by Iain D. Campbell, published by Christian Focus. It consists of 20 chapters, each covering one century of church history. It comes in at just under 200 pages total. The later chapters are pretty heavily focused on the Scottish church (which the author states up front), but on the whole it’s a really good and simple church survey. The century-per-chapter format is great for keeping things in chronological perspective, and also sheds light on little-known periods of church history (such as the Middle Ages). I picked the book up one year in the Shepherd’s Conference bookstore and it has become my go-to book for a simple church history, but I’ve not seen it mentioned much anywhere. I think that’s too bad, because it’s an excellent work.
http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Heretics-Pivotal-Moments-Centuries/dp/18579…
I’m going to have to jump on the Justo Gonzalez train and also recommend The Story of Christianity. It was recommended to me by a friend in seminary, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I purchased a second-hand single volume edition for next to nothing, although vol. 1 has recently been updated, and the updated vol. 2 is due out in a few weeks.
For a totally different approach to church history, take a look at Hughes Oliphant Old’s The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures (7 volumes). Old tells the story of church history through the lens of preaching and worship throughout the ages. It’s a truly great contribution to thinking about the history of the church.
Obviously, I am biased, but I really do think that Christian History Made Easy is the best on the market when it comes to colorful one-volume surveys for laypeople.
http://www.amazon.com/Christian-History-Made-Bible-Basics/dp/1596363282/…