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Church History

There is no branch of history as diverse as the story of the Christian Church. It spans two millennia, every continent, and factors into just about every major event in some form or another, but it's not just an interesting tale or adventure story that happens to be true. The history of the Church is the history of God's people and His direct dealings with mankind.

It's also not just an academic discipline. That's not to say we don't need scholars willing to devote their lives and talents to studying it as such, because we do. It's only to say that it's not merely academic, that the study of Church history is as much for our spiritual benefit and growth as for our intellectual knowledge and maturity.

One of the best ways to engage the subject is as a story. The lives of godly men and women make a great starting place, and provide context for things like the Great Schism, the Protestant Reformation, and the birth of Neo-orthodoxy. Contrary to popular opinion, making the study of history personal isn't an impediment; this is especially true when learning about the Church and past saints, who are our spiritual forebears.

Spiritual forebears, that is, who had an immense impact on the secular as well as the spiritual realm. The printing of books was realized through the work of Johannes Gutenberg, who built his printing press to make Bibles; David Livingstone explored much of unknown Africa in order to share the Gospel with unreached tribes; Hudson Taylor made inroads into China as a missionary long before the West was generally admitted. (For locals, the Pacific Northwest was largely settled through missionary activity.)

There are plenty of lowlights, too. Persecution and hardship are common themes in the story of God's people, and while we usually look back to the Roman holocausts, the 20th century saw more Christian martyrdoms than any previous century and the 21st century is already shaping up to be much worse. And that's not even addressing the damage done in the name of Christ.

Some might suppose Church history should be less distinctly human, but that's to confuse Christ Himself with His Body. In His ineffable wisdom, God ordained fallen humans to comprise His people; our sins are forgiven, not expelled, and perfection is something only enjoyed once we pass from this life into the eternal one.

Still, God's hand is present and active in all of history, not least in the history of the Church. It's a story we neglect at our own peril as followers of Christ—we cannot imagine our generation is the first to encounter attacks from secularism, or to have discovered orthodox doctrine, or to successfully identify the marks of a healthy congregation.

The past is our measure for most things. What Christians have always believed, how they have always worshipped, how they have always prayed: these are our standards for thought and practice. That's not to say there's no room for progress, but it's only progress if it doesn't counter or depart from the historically established truths of the faith.

Church history is a cornerstone of Christian education. We think it's just as important as science, English, math, or social studies, and in many ways more so. That doesn't mean those disciplines should be neglected, but that they should be contextualized within the story of God's people. As you study, revel in the grace of a God whose will is accomplished even through the chief of sinners and the weakest of men.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

 

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Active Filters: History of Missions, 8th grade (Ages 13-14)
Against All Odds
by Jim Stier
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99
Albert Schweitzer
by Geoff & Janet Benge
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
Alexander Mackay
Heroes of the Faith Series
by Sophia L. Fahs
from A Beka Books
Biography for 7th-10th grade
in A Beka Book Report books (Location: REA-ABK)
Amy Carmichael of Donhavur
by Frank L. Houghton
from CLC Publications
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
And the Word Came With Power
by Joanne Shetler, Patricia Purvis
from Wycliffe Bible Translators
for 2nd-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.50 (2 in stock)
Ann of Ava
by Ethel Hubbard, Illustrated by Margaret Ayer
2017 Reprint from Accelerated Christian Education
for 8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Behind Enemy Lines
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by Nancy Drummond
from Christian Focus Publications
for 3rd-8th grade
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from YWAM Publishing
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in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
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by Bruce Olson
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in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
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Cell 58
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by Dan Baumann
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$12.50
Chance to Die
by Elisabeth Elliot
from Revell Publishing
Biography for 8th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$22.99
Charles Mulli
by Geoff & Janet Benge
from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
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Cry from the Streets
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from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
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Sowers Series
by Robert Allen
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Biography for 6th-8th grade
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David Bussau
Christian Heroes: Then and Now
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in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
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David Livingstone
by C. Silvester Horne
from Christian Liberty Press
Biography for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.75
David Livingstone
Heroes of the Faith Series
by Basil Mathews
from A Beka Books
for 5th-9th grade
in A Beka Book Report books (Location: REA-ABK)
$9.50 (2 in stock)
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from YWAM Publishing
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in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
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in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
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from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 5th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
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by Catherine Swift
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Biography for 6th-12th grade
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$2.50 (1 in stock)
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from Oliver-Nelson Books
for 7th-9th grade
in Western Expansion (1800-1898) (Location: HISA-19WES)
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by John Riddle
from Barbour Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
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Heroes of the Faith
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Biography for 5th-8th grade
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God's Smuggler
by Brother Andrew
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Biography for 7th-Adult
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Great for God
by David Shibley
from Master Books
for 7th-12th grade
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$9.59
Heart Strangely Warmed
by Louise A. Vernon
from Herald Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$9.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Helen Roseveare
by Janet and Geoff Benge
from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
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for 8th-Adult
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
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Hiding Place
by Corrie Ten Boom
from Bantam Books
Biography for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
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Hiding Place
by Corrie Ten Boom
35th Anniversary Edition from Chosen Books
Biography for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
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by Esther Ahn Kim
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Biography for 8th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
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Isobel Kuhn
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by Lois Hoadley Dick
from Bethany House
for 5th-10th grade
in Men & Women of Faith (Location: BIO-FAITH)
Jacob DeShazer
Christian Heroes: Then and Now
by Geoff Benge, Janet Benge
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
James Chalmers
Torchbearers
by Irene Howat
from Christian Focus Publications
for 3rd-8th grade
in TorchBearers & TrailBlazers (Location: BIO-TRAIL)
Jason Lee
Sowers Series
by Charles Ludwig
from Mott Media
Biography for 7th-9th grade
in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW)
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Jim Elliot
by Irene Howat
from Christian Focus Publications
for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
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by William Deal
from Christian Liberty Press
Biography for 6th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
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John Flynn
by Geoff & Janet Benge
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
John Newton
by Janet & Geoff Benge
from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
John Newton
by Catherine Swift
from Bethany House
for 5th-10th grade
in Men & Women of Faith (Location: BIO-FAITH)
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Heroes of the Faith
by Sam Wellman
from Barbour Publishing
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in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Lights in a Dark Place
Hidden Heroes #5
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
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in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Lights in the Northwest
by Richard M. Hannula
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Biographies for 4th-8th grade
in Pacific States (Location: HISV-PNW)
$17.95
Lights in the Northwest - Teacher's Supplement CD-ROM
by Richard M. Hannula
from Sound Summit Books
Biographies for 4th-8th grade
in Pacific States (Location: HISV-PNW)
$15.95
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by Floyd McClung
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Living Water in the Desert
Hidden Heroes #6
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
for 3rd-8th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
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by Jeanette Eaton, illustrated by Woodi Ishmael
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for 7th-10th grade
1945 Newbery Honor Book
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Lords of the Earth
by Don Richardson
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$9.50 (1 in stock)
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by Abbe Anderson, John Rush
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
by James Daugherty
from Viking Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Marcus Whitman: The Great Command
by Nard Jones
2nd edition from Binford & Mort Publishing
for 6th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Maria
by Maria von Trapp
from Creation House
for 7th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Martin Luther
by Sally Stepanek
from Chelsea House Publishing
Biography for 5th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Michael Faraday
by Charles Ludwig
from Herald Press
Biography for 5th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.99 $8.00 (2 in stock)
Mildred Cable
by Geoff & Janet Benge
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
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by Madeleine Polland
from Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
for 6th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$7.50 (4 in stock)
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by Anne West Williams
from Association Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
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by Margaret Landon
from Doubleday & Company
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in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Never Say Die
by Cyril Davey
1972 Printing from Lutterworth Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Norman Grubb
by Janet & Geoff Benge
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
On Call
Jaffray Collection of Missionary Portraits
by David C. Thompson, MD
from Christian Publications, Inc.
Biography for 8th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Passion for the Impossible
by Miriam Huffman Rockness
from Discovery House Publishers
for 8th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Paul Brand
Christian Heroes: Then and Now
by Geoff & Janet Benge
from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
Pigtail and Chopsticks Man
by Jim Cromarty
2010 Printing from Evangelical Press
for 8th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Return of the White Book
Hidden Heroes #4
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
for 4th-8th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Richard Wurmbrand
by Janet and Geoff Benge
from YWAM Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$11.99
Saint Patrick
by Jonathan Rogers
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for 7th-Adult
in Christian Encounters (Location: BIO-CE)
$12.00
Sergeant York and the Great War
by Alvin C. York
from My Father's World
Autobiography for 7th-Adult
in World War I (1914-1919) (Location: HISA-20WW1)
$22.00
Seven Men
by Eric Metaxas
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for 8th-Adult
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Seven Men
by Eric Metaxas
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for 8th-Adult
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$16.99
Seven Women
by Eric Metaxas
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for 8th-Adult
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$17.99
Shorter Life of D. L. Moody
Moody Colportage Library #83
by A. P. Fitt
from Moody Press
for 8th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Skipper of the Sentinel
by May Cole Kuhn
from Review and Herald Publishing Association
for 6th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Splendor of God
by Honore Morrow
from Grosset & Dunlap
for 8th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Spurgeon
by Ernest Bacon
from Christian Liberty Press
Biography for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.75 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Susanna Wesley
Sowers Series
by Charles Ludwig
from Mott Media
Biography for 6th-8th grade
in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW)
$5.00 (3 in stock)
Taking on Giants
by Joe Portale
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
Taking the High Places
International Adventures
by Jemimah Wright, Terry Snow
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Tales of Persia
by William Miller
from P&R Publishing
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$11.99 $7.00 (2 in stock)
Through Gates of Splendor
by Elisabeth Elliot
from Tyndale House
Biography for 8th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$16.99
Through Gates of Splendor
by Elisabeth Elliot
40th Anniversary from Tyndale House
Missionary Biography for 8th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Tommorow You Die
International Adventures
by Reona Peterson Joly
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$7.50 (2 in stock)
Tortured for Christ
by Richard Wurmbrand
50th Anniversary Edition from David C. Cook
Autobiography for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Totally Surrounded
by Christina Davis
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99
Walking Miracle
by Art Sanborn
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99
Way Beyond Death
International Adventures
by Jemimah Wright
from YWAM Publishing
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$9.00
Whitman Massacre of 1847
by Catherine, Elizabeth, and Matilda Sager
from Ye Galleon Press
for 7th-12th grade
in Pacific States (Location: HISV-PNW)
Whitman Massacre of 1847
by Catherine, Elizabeth, and Matilda Sager
from Ye Galleon Press
for 7th-12th grade
in Pacific States (Location: HISV-PNW)
William Bradford
by Gary D. Schmidt
from Eerdmans
Biography for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.00 $7.50 (2 in stock)
With Daring Faith
by Rebecca Davis
from Bob Jones University Press
Biography for 5th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.99
With Two Hands
Hidden Heroes #1
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
for 6th-10th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Witness Men
Hidden Heroes #3
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
for 4th-8th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
World of William Penn
by Genevieve Foster
from Beautiful Feet Books
in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
$14.95
World of William Penn
by Genevieve Foster
from Charles Scribner's Sons
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
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