The catholic church is the longestenduring institution in the world. The history of the catholic church is long, complicated, and fascinating, and in this book it is expertly and ably told by historian james hitchcock. You can make the history as long or as short as you want. If you need something covering the entirety of church history, the two volumes by gonzales are very helpful. It is one of the best single volume introductions to the history of christianity. Dec 05, 2014 church history in plain language, bruce shelly, 4th ed. In fact, there is simply no other history of the church written so close. You might consider exhibits, lectures, a written church history, or even an oral history project. Church history in plain language, bruce shelly, 4th.
Prior to that i completed a series of posts listing what i found to be the most helpful commentaries on each book of the bible. Since in accordance with your wishes, my most holy paulinus, we have added the tenth book of the church history to those which have preceded, we will. Apostolic times to today examines the events of the church s life, the contributions to human life it has made, and studies the challenges the church has faced overtime, from her earliest history. A handbook of church history a thesis presented to the faculty of the ambassador college graduate school of theology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts in theology by dean c. This concise book provides an easytoread guide to church history with intellectual substance. Church history, gospel art book 2008 church history, gospel art book church history. Includes contemporary developments related to the spread of the gospel. What josephus did for the old testament and intertestamentary period, eusebius did for the new testament era and for the early years of the postbiblical church history. What i would like to do now is something similar with church history. This material has been carefully compared, corrected.
It will take time and patience for you to undercover everything there is to know. You may also wish to view my biography recommendations. Recommended books for church history and historical theology. Historia ecclesiastica or historia ecclesiae of eusebius, the bishop of caesarea was a 4thcentury pioneer work giving a chronological account of the development of early christianity from the 1st century to the 4th century. Also remember to document current church activities for those who will come after you by collecting clippings, photographs, and other records and artifacts of interest. His earlier book, proof of the gospel, makes the case for christianitys total fulfillment of old testament prophecies. It is my purpose to write an account of the successions of the holy apostles, as well as of the times which have elapsed. As in the parable of christ about the weeds that were sown in a field of wheat, evil and good have grown together in the church from the start, as hitchcock honestly records. Detailed and factfilled yet balanced and readable, this volume offers a panoramic view of the churchs growth worldwide throughout the past 2,000 years, including a comprehensive section on the. My top 5 books on church history christianity today.
May 07, 2012 2 and the other book i recommend to studentsthe best singlevolume on the history of theology written by a scandinavian lutheran named bengt hagglund, titled simply, history of theology concordia. Eusebius, surnamed pamphilus, writing the history of the church in ten books, closed it with that period of the emperor constantine, when the persecution which diocletian had begun against the christians came to an end. In fact, there is simply no other history of the church written so. A life, george marsden, yale university press, 2003. Beginning with the first christians and continuing in our present day, the church has been planted in every nation on earth. The catholic church claims jesus christ himself as her. The new edition of church history in plain language promises to be the new standard for readable church history.
Top ten christian history starter books get rooted in the christian past with these riveting reads. The story of the church of jesus christ in the latter days. A church history is the record of the faith of our forefathers. This new, highly affordable paperback edition includes maiers bestselling translation, historical commentary on each book of the church history, and ten maps. Church history, or the history of the christian faith, began about 30 a. Some churches hire professionals to compile and write their histories, while others select volunteers from the congregation. I totally 100% recommend this book to anyone who gets bored with normal church history books. A captivating guide to crucial moments in christian history, including events such as the life and teachings of jesus christ, the early church, and the reformation. Bruce shellys church history in plain language has long served as a favorite introductory text for undergraduates and seminarians in church history courses. Specialists and historians of christianity in general find church history. Sweeney, author, the american evangelical story baker academic. Also, listeningreading this book is helping me to prepare for the upcoming conference. Professor of ecclesiastical history in the divinity.
Church histories reveal the hearts and lives of those who first established the church. A standard survey of the history of the christian church from a. Read the inspiring true story of the restoration in this new, fourvolume narrative history. Ecclesiastical history eusebius pamphilius church history.
This book is the third volume in dr needhams projected comprehensive history of the church from the age of the church fathers to the present day. Online shopping for christian church history books in the books store. It only covers the period up to and including the reformation so far, but more volumes are forthcoming. Church history ranges from the time of christ to the middle ages, from the reformation to present day. If i were to recommend only one of these titles, i would suggest needhams set. Dec 05, 2007 a history of the christian church williston walkeran oldie but a goodie, this classic survey strikes the right balance of substance and readability. It is a living record of the triumphs, trials, and tribulations that teach us how they solved conflicts. Kuiper has long been the textbook of choice for many secondary schools and bible institutes. Our principal resource for earliest chrisitianity, the church history presents a panorama of apostles, church fathers, emperors, bishops, heroes, heretics, confessors, and martyrs.
History of the church hc volumes 1 7 original 1902. That maxim may not carry the weight of scripture, but history bears it out. A source book for ancient church history from the apostolic age to the close of the conciliar period by joseph cullen ayer, jr. This edition of the history of the church contains all ten chronologically arranged books by eusebius, which together outline the major events in the early history. As gods church faces the last days, these compelling books have unique appeal and relevance to all who love the truth. While dr needham is an accomplished scholar in the fields of church history and historical theology, in these volumes he brings his learning to bear in a manner which is easily accessible to the. All this in a fastpaced, entertaining biography, travel documentary, bible study, apologetics course and church history study rolled into one remarkable. Often called the father of church history, eusebius was the first to trace the rise of christianity during its crucial first three centuries from christ to constantine. Soter, bishop of the church of rome, died after an episcopate of eight years, and was succeeded by eleutherus, the twelfth from the apostles. The history of the church the church history of eusebius. Writing the history of a local church, therefore, can open up new opportunities for reflection and recommitment, especially with the approach a centennial, bicentennial, or even tercentennial year. If you do not have a copy of this free software, you can download it by clicking on the adobe logo below. Compiling a church history is an excellent way to preserve a church s history and is also a great fundraiser. Church history surveys church history in plain language by bruce shelley 2000 years of.
Its a single volume that takes you from the early church almost down to the present day in terms of the history of theology. In the seventeenth year of the emperor antoninus verus, the persecution of our people was rekindled more fiercely in certain districts on account of an insurrection of the masses in the cities. The american society of church history is a community of scholars, dedicated to studying the history of christianity in relation to broader culture, across all time periods, locations, and cultural contexts. Finally, make the history of your church come alive for its members.
We do well to remain anchored in the long history of the church. A history of the christian church williston walkeran oldie but a goodie, this classic survey strikes the right balance of substance and readability. Top ten christian history starter books christian history. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Kuiper has long been the textbook of choice for many secondary schools and bible institutes, having sold well over 150,000 copies since first published more than a half century ago. It is not boring like some other church history books. Continuing history of the church of god this pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true church of god and some of its main opponents from 31 a. This fact and detail filled book presents a panoramic view of the church growth from a. In order to open and read these pdf books you will need to have adobe reader on your computer. Recently, i completed a series of posts listing what i believe to be the most helpful books on each locus of systematic theology. The exaltation of a jewish preacher from galilee by bart d. Learn more 2021 winter meeting our annual meeting will be held jan. Hence the church fathers laid great stress upon the antiquity of christianity, and emphasized the old testament as a christian book.
226 601 400 552 459 1390 557 1485 759 859 365 934 153 972 1042 1300 1099 92 578 1301 1454 213 1309 203 1270 202 871 438 68 545 658 306 181 1270 613 810 71 809