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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's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and 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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2000 Years of Christ's Power Volume 1
by Nick R. Needham
2nd edition from Christian Focus Publications
Church History Reference for 11th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
2000 Years of Christ's Power Volume 2
by Nick R. Needham
2nd edition from Christian Focus Publications
Church History Reference for 11th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
2000 Years of Christ's Power Volume 3
by Nick R. Needham
2nd edition from Christian Focus Publications
Church History Reference for 11th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
2000 Years of Christ's Power Volume 4
by Nick R. Needham
2nd edition from Christian Focus Publications
Church History Reference for 11th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
2000 Years of Christ's Power Volume 5
by Nick R. Needham
from Christian Focus Publications
Church History Reference for 11th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
32 Christians Who Changed the World
by Glenn S. Sunshine
from Canon Press
for 10th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$18.66
Abide With Me
by John H. Parker, Paul Seawright
from New Leaf Press
for 7th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
At the End of the Santa Fe Trail
by Sister Blandina Segale
4th Printing from Bruce Publishing Co.
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Baker Atlas of Christian History
by Tim Dowley, Editor
from Baker Books
for 7th-Adult
in Historical & Cultural Atlases (Location: HISRF-ATLAS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Becoming Elisabeth Elliot
by Ellen Vaughn
from Broadman & Holman
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.20 (1 in stock)
Bombs and Blessings
by Retha Hazel Eldridge
from Review and Herald Publishing Association
for 9th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Brethren During the Age of World War
from Brethren Press
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Burma Surgeon
by Gordon S. Seagrave
from W. W. Norton and Co.
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$6.40 (1 in stock)
Calvin and the Calvinists
by Paul Helm
from Banner of Truth Trust
Biography for Adult
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$14.50
Captured!
by Carolyn Paine Miller
1st edition from Christian Herald Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
Chapels and Meeting Houses
by Kenneth Lindley
from John Baker
for 8th-Adult
in Architecture and Sculpture (Location: ELE-ARC)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Choices, Changes
by Joni Eareckson Tada
from Zondervan
Biography for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
Christ in the Camp
by J. William Jones
from Sprinkle Publications
Historical Reference for 10th-Adult
in American Civil War Era (1850-1865) (Location: HISA-19CW)
Christians on the Oregon Trail
from College Press
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
Created for Purpose
by Ron Post
from Coffee House Press
Biography for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
Crossed Fingers
by Gary North
from Institute for Christian Economics
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
Dayuma Story
by Ethel Emily Wallis
from Harper & Brothers
for 8th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
Elizabeth the Great
by Elizabeth Jenkins
from International Collectors Library
for 9th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Eusebius: The Church History
by Eusebius & Paul L. Maier (translator)
from Kregel Publications
Church History for 10th-Adult
in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC)
Eusebius: The Church History
by Eusebius & Paul L. Maier (translator)
from Kregel Publications
Church History for 10th-Adult
in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC)
$32.99
Fire Upon the Earth
by Norman F. Langford
from Westminster John Knox Press
for 9th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
For Kirk and Covenant
Leaders in Action Series
by Doug Wilson
from Cumberland House
Biography for
in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA)
Forbidden Land
by Geoffrey T. Bull
from Moody Press
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$7.60 (1 in stock)
Forgotten Founding Father
Leaders in Action Series
by Stephen Mansfield
from Cumberland House
Biography for 9th-12th grade
in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA)
Fount of Heaven
by Robert Elmer, editor
from Lexham Press
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$22.94
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
by John Foxe, edited by William Byron Forbush
from Hendrickson Publishers
for 10th-Adult
in Hendrickson Christian Classics (Location: XCL-DEV)
Foxe's Christian Martys of the World
by John Foxe
from Barbour Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in 17th Century Literature (Location: LIT4-17)
From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya
by Ruth Tucker
2nd edition from Zondervan
History of missions for 11th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$32.99
George Muller of Bristol
by Arthur T. Pierson
from Fleming H Revell Co.
for 9th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
George Whitefield: Wayfaring Witness
by Stuart C. Henry
from Abingdon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Gifts of the Jews
by Thomas Cahill
from Nan A. Talese
for 9th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$9.60 (1 in stock)
Give All to Oregon
by Cecil P. Dryden
from Hastings House
for 9th-Adult
in Pacific States (Location: HISV-PNW)
Great Christian Revolution
by Otto Scott, Mark & R. J. Rushdoony
from Chalcedon / Ross House Books
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
Great Waters
by Creston Donald Ketchum
from Hutchinson & Co.
for Adult
in Nautical History (Location: VIN-NAUT)
Heart Promptly Offered
Leaders in Action
by David W. Hall
from Cumberland House
Biography for 9th-12th grade
in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA)
History of the Christian Church
3rd Printing from Hendrickson Publishers
for 11th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
History of the Presbyterian Church in America
by Frank Joseph Smith
2nd edition
for Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
History of the Reformation - 4 Volume Set
by J. H. Merle d'Aubigne
from Sprinkle Publications
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission
by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
from China Inland Mission
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission Volume 2
by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
from OMF
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.20 (1 in stock)
Hudson Taylor In Early Years Volume 1
by Howard Taylor
from OMF
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.20 (2 in stock)
In My Father's House
by Corrie Ten Boom
First Edition from Revell Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (2 in stock)
In the Fullness of Time
by Paul L. Maier
Rev Upd Su from Kregel Publications
for 10th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$12.50 (1 in stock)
Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin, translated by Ford Lewis Battles, edited by John McNeill
from Westminster John Knox Press
Theology for 11th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
Institutes of the Christian Religion
by John Calvin, translated from the French Edition of 1541 by Robert White
from Banner of Truth Trust
Theology for 11th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
John Calvin: Man of the Millennium
from Vision Forum
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$9.60 (1 in stock)
Jonathan Edwards
by Iain H. Murray
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$23.10
Just As I Am
by Billy Graham
1st edition from HarperCollins
for 11th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
Kisses from Katie
by Katie J. Davis
from Howard Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Letters of Geerhardus Vos
by Geerhardus Vos, James T. Dennison, Jr.
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$18.00
Life and Diary of David Brainerd
by David Brainerd
from Moody Press
Biography for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$19.20 (1 in stock)
Life and Times of Martin Luther
by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, translated by H. White
from Moody Press
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Life of John Calvin
by Theodore Beza
3rd edition from Back Home Industries
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$15.00
Life of John Knox
by Thomas McCrie
from Back Home Industries
Biography for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$11.90 $10.00 (2 in stock)
Life of John Newton
by American Missionary Fellowship
from Attic Books
for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$9.50
Life Sentence
by Charles W. Colson
Second Printing from Chosen Books
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
Light From Old Times
by J. C. Ryle
from Banner of Truth Trust
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$24.65
Livingstone and his African Journeys
by Elspeth Huxley
from Saturday Review Press
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Makers of Puritan History
by Marcus L. Loane
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 10th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$20.40
Maria
by Maria von Trapp
from Creation House
for 7th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Martin Luther
Penguin Lives
by Martin Marty
from Viking Press
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Memoir & Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne
by Andrew Bonar
from Banner of Truth Trust
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$29.75
My Little Church Around the Corner
by Dr. J.H. Randolph Ray
from Simon and Schuster
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$14.40 (1 in stock)
No Place for Truth
by David F. Wells
from Eerdmans
for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
Our Hymns, Our Heritage
by David & Barbara Leeman, foreword by Keith & Kristyn Getty
from Moody Press
for 9th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
$21.24
Personal Life of David Livingstone
Heroes of the Faith
by W Garden Blaikie
from Fleming H Revell Co.
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Peter Cartwright, the Backwoods Preacher
by Peter Cartwright
Undated from Cranston and Curts
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$9.60 (1 in stock)
Pillars of Grace Volume 2
from Reformation Trust Publishing
for Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
Place to Stand
Leaders in Action Series
by Gene Veith
from Cumberland House
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA)
R. v. R.: The Life of Rembrandt Van Rijn
by Hendrik Willem Van Loon, art selected by J. B. Neumann
from Heritage Press
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Reformation
Great Ages of Man
by Edith Simon
from Time-Life Books
for 9th-Adult
in Great Ages of Man (Location: ADU-HISGAM)
Rev. William S. White, D. D., and His Times [1800-1873]
by Rev. H. M. White, D. D., editor
from Sprinkle Publications
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.20 (2 in stock)
Roots of Endurance
The Swans are Not Silent #3
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$6.40 (1 in stock)
Saint Augustine
by Garry Wills
1st edition from Viking Press
for 11th-Adult
in History for Adults (Location: ADU-HIS)
Scots Worthies
by John Howie
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 11th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$28.05
Skipper of the Sentinel
by May Cole Kuhn
from Review and Herald Publishing Association
for 6th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
Steal Away Home: Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson
by Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey
from B&H Books
for Adult
in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Story of Christianity
by Michael Collins, Matthew A. Price
from DK Publishing
for 8th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$14.40 (1 in stock)
Story of Christianity
by Michael Collins, Matthew A. Price
from Tyndale House
for 8th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$14.40 (2 in stock)
Thundering Scot
by Geddes MacGregor
from Westminster Press
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Traditions of the Covenanters
by Rev. Robert Simpson, D.D.
Undated from Gall and Inglis
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Treasury of Best-Loved Hymns
by Daniel A. Poling, illustrated by James Daugherty
from Pickwick Press
for 3rd-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$15.20 (1 in stock)
When Morning Gilds the Skies
by Joni Eareckson Tada, John MacArthur, Robert & Bobbie Wolgemuth
from Crossway Books
for 10th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
$8.80 (1 in stock)
Wurmbrand: Tortured for Christ
by Voice of the Martyrs
from David C. Cook
for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.20 (1 in stock)
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