Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. That maxim may not carry the weight of Scripture, but history bears it out. We do well to remain anchored in the long history of the church. Here are book recommendations on church history. You may also wish to view my biography recommendations.
Top Recommendation
Though I have not reviewed it in detail, my top recommendation for church history is Nick Needham’s tremendous series 2000 Years of Christ’s Power. It has currently reached its fifth volume and surveys from the 1st century to the 18th century. It is thorough but easy to read and Needham is willing to make the theological distinctions that make such a difference when attempting to understand the history of the Christian church. It requires effort to read the whole thing, but the effort will be well rewarded.
Church History Surveys
This is a brief volume that offers just a taste of church history.
30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity
This is history, but history we can learn from and that applies to the present day. Even if your reading diet does not regularly include history, I’d encourage you to change that with this book.
The Reformation
The Puritans
Early Church
Other
The first biography I have read whose subject was not a person but a congregation—150 years of one church on Capitol Hill.
A history of the New Calvinism, and a timely warning about the tendency to drift.
