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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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100 Most Important Events in Christian History
by A. Kenneth Curtis, et al.
from Revell Publishing
Church History Reference for 9th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$21.99 $11.50 (1 in stock)
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)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Agape Leadership
by Robert L. Peterson and Alexander Strauch
from Lewis and Roth Publishers
for Adult
in Church Ministry & Service (Location: XWO-MIN)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Amazing Grace
by Kenneth W. Osbeck
from Kregel Publications
for 9th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Arrow Pointing to Heaven
by James Bryan Smith
Revised from B&H Books
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Autobiography of Charles G. Finney
by Charles G. Finney
from Bethany House
Autobiography for 9th-Adult
in History for Adults (Location: ADU-HIS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Beggars' Bible
by Louise Vernon
from Herald Press
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$13.99 $8.50 (1 in stock)
Between Worlds
by Marilyn R. Gardner
from Doorlight Publications
for Adult
in Diversity & Multicultural Books (Location: HISMC-MUL)
$11.00 (1 in stock)
Billy Sunday (old)
by Elaine Cunningham
from A Beka Books
for 6th grade
$4.00 (19 in stock)
Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther
from Revell Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Born Again
by Charles Colson
from Chosen Books
for 9th grade-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$19.99 $14.00 (1 in stock)
Bruchko
by Bruce Olson
from Charisma House
Biography for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$16.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
Bruchko
by Bruce Olson
Updated from Charisma House
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
Bruchko
by Bruce Olson
Revised from YWAM Publishing
for 8th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle
by Bruce Olson
from Charisma House
Biography for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$14.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers
Heroes of the Faith
by Dan Harmon
from Barbour Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Almanac
by George Grant, Gregory Wilbur
from Cumberland House
for 6th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$9.50 (1 in stock)
Christian History Made Easy
Rose Bible Basics
by Timothy Paul Jones
from Rose Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$14.99 $10.50 (1 in stock)
Christological Controversy
Sources of Early Christian Thought
by Richard A. Norris, Jr. (translator and editor), series editor William G. Rusch
from Fortress Press
for Adult
in Jesus Christ (Location: XTH-JES)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Chronological and Background Charts of Church History
ZondervanCharts
by Robert C. Walton
from Zondervan
for 7th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Church History from the Birth of Christ to the 18th Century (2 volumes)
by William Jones
from Triangle Press
for 10th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Church in History
by B. K. Kuiper
2nd edition from Eerdmans
Church History Reference for 9th-Adult
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$33.99 $15.00 (1 in stock)
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 (1 in stock)
Dayuma
by Ethel Emily Wallis
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $7.50 (2 in stock)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: An Evangelical Reassessment
by Georg Huntemann
from Baker Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Dispelling the Tyranny
Struggle for Freedom Series #2
by Piet Prins
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Eternity in Their Hearts
by Don Richardson
Revised from Regal Books
for 10th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Eusebius: The Church History
by Eusebius & Paul L. Maier (translator)
from Kregel Publications
Church History for 10th-Adult
in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC)
$19.99 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Faith of Our Fathers: Scenes from American Church History
by Mark Sidwell, editor
from Bob Jones University Press
Church History Reference for 7th-12th grade
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Farrier of Buda
by P. de Zeeuw
from Pro Ecclesia
Historical Fiction for
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
$9.95 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Father to Nobody's Children
by David E. Fessenden
from CLC Publications
for 4th-7th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Fire Upon the Earth
by Norman F. Langford
from Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
for Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$3.00 (3 in stock)
Five Pioneer Missionaries
by Various
from Banner of Truth Trust
Biography for 9th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$13.00 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Flames of Rome
by Paul L. Maier
2nd edition from Kregel Publications
for 9th-Adult
in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
For God and Country
by John Riddle
from Barbour Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
by John Foxe
from Bridge-Logos
for 10th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$18.99 $10.50 (1 in stock)
Free Indeed
by Mark Sidwell
Expanded from Bob Jones University Press
Biography for 6th-12th grade
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
From Akebu to Zapotec
by June Hathersmith
from Wycliffe Bible Translators
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$6.00 (2 in stock)
George Whitefield
by Arnold A. Dallimore
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
God Speaks Numanggang (old cover)
by David Hazell
from My Father's World
for 2nd-4th grade
in My Father's World (Location: CUR-MFW)
$4.50 $2.50 (3 in stock)
God's Adventurer
by Phyllis Thompson
from OMF
Biography for 5th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (3 in stock)
God's Outlaw
by Brian H. Edwards
2nd edition from Evangelical Press
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Granny Han's Breakfast
by Shelia Groves
from OMF
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$2.50 (3 in stock)
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)
Hearts of Fire
by The Voice of the Martyrs
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for 10th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Heavenly Man
by Brother Yun, Paul Hattaway
from Monarch Books
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$16.99 $8.50 (1 in stock)
Hero Tales Volume I
by Dave & Neta Jackson
from Bethany House
Biography for 3rd-6th grade
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$14.99 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Heroes of the Faith
by Gene Fedele
from Bridge-Logos
for 8th-10th grade
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$16.99 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Hiding Place - Young Reader's Edition
by Corrie Ten Boom, abridged by Lonnie Hull DuPont, illustrated by Tim Foley
from Chosen Books
Biography for 3rd-6th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
How to Read Church History Volume 1
by Jean Comby
from Crossroad Publishing Co.
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$12.00 (3 in stock)
How to Read Church History Volume 2
by Jean Comby and Diarmaid MacCulloch
from Crossroad Publishing Co.
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$15.00 (2 in stock)
Huguenot Garden
by Douglas Jones
from Canon Press
Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Idelette
by Edna Gerstner
from Soli Deo Gloria
for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
In My Father's House
by Corrie Ten Boom
Book Club Edition from Power Books
for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
In Search of the Source
by Neil Anderson, Hyatt Moore
from Wycliffe Bible Translators
Missionary Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.00 (3 in stock)
Isaac Watts: His Life and Hymns
by Paxton Hood
from Ambassador Emerald International
for 10th-Adult
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Jason Lee
Sowers Series
by Charles Ludwig
from Mott Media
Biography for 7th-9th grade
in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW)
$8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
John Bunyan
by William Deal
from Christian Liberty Press
Biography for 6th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.75 $5.00 (1 in stock)
John Calvin: A Children's Story w/CD
by Kerry L. Tittle, illustrated by Larry Waggoner, audiobook narrated by Jim Hodges
from ReformationKidz Publishing
for 3rd-5th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
John Wesley
Men of Faith
by Basil Miller
from Bethany House
Biography for 6th-10th grade
in Men & Women of Faith (Location: BIO-FAITH)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Johnny Appleseed
Sowers Series
by David Collins
from Mott Media
for 5th-7th grade
in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW)
$8.99 $5.00 (2 in stock)
Jonathan and Sarah
by Edna Gerstner
from Soli Deo Gloria
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$10.00 (2 in stock)
Joni
by Joni Eareckson Tada
from Zondervan
Biography for 8th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Katherine Parr
by Brandon G. Withrow
from P&R Publishing
Biography for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$13.99 $6.50 (1 in stock)
Kidnapped by River Rats
by Dave & Neta Jackson
from Bethany House
for 3rd-7th grade
in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Kingdom Strikes Back
by John Holzmann
from Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
for 5th-7th grade
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$3.00 (3 in stock)
Kisses from Katie
by Katie J. Davis
from Howard Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$18.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
Kitty, My Rib
by E. Jane Mall
from Concordia Publishing House
Biography for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$14.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History Volume 2
by John D. Hannah
from Kregel Publications
for 7th-12th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$11.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History Volume 3
by John D. Hannah
from Kregel Publications
for 7th-12th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$11.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History Volume 4
by John D. Hannah
from Kregel Publications
for 7th-12th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$11.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History Volume 5
by John D. Hannah
from Kregel Publications
for 7th-12th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$11.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History Volume 6
by John D. Hannah
from Kregel Publications
for 8th-12th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$11.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Legacy of John Calvin
The Calvin 500 Series
by David W. Hall
from P&R Publishing
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Light Force
by Brother Andrew
from Revell Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$6.50 (2 in stock)
Lights in a Dark Place
Hidden Heroes #5
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
for 3rd-8th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Living on the Devil's Doorstep
International Adventures
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)
Lords of the Earth
by Don Richardson
Reprint. from Regal Books
for 9th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$6.00 (2 in stock)
Lords of the Earth
by Don Richardson
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$9.50 (1 in stock)
Luther the Leader
by Virgil Robinson
from A. B. Publishing, Inc.
Biography for 5th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$9.95 $4.00 (4 in stock)
Man Called Peter
by Catherine Marshall
from Evergreen Farm
for 9th-12th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Man Who Laid the Egg
by Louise Vernon
from Greenleaf Press
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Man With the Bird on His Head
by Abbe Anderson, John Rush
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Marriage to a Difficult Man
by Elisabeth D. Dodds
from Audobon Press
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Martin Luther
by J. A. Morrison
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
Biography for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Mission to Cathay
by Madeleine Polland
from Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
for 6th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$7.50 (4 in stock)
My Heart in His Hands
by Sharon L. James
from Evangelical Press
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.00 (1 in stock)
Narrow Road
by Brother Andrew, Elizabeth Sherrill, Jars of Clay, John Sherrill
from YWAM Publishing
for 10th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$14.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
New Testament and the People of God
by N. T. Wright
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$18.00 (1 in stock)
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)
Peace Child
by Don Richardson
from Regal Books
Biography for 10th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Pearl Maiden
by H. Rider Haggard
from Christian Liberty Press
Historical Fiction for 8th-Adult
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$16.75 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Pigtail and Chopsticks Man
by Jim Cromarty
2010 Printing from Evangelical Press
for 8th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Protestant Reformation: Major Documents
by Lewis W. Spitz
from Concordia Publishing House
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Queen of the Reformation
by Charles Ludwig
1st edition from Bethany House
for 8th-Adult
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Question of Yams
by Gloria Repp
2nd edition from Bob Jones University Press
Realistic Fiction for 2nd-4th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$8.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
River of Grace
by Joyce McPherson
2nd edition from Greenleaf Press
Biography for 5th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Scottish Seas
by Doug Jones
from Canon Press
Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.00 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Servant of Slaves
by Grace Irwin
from Paideia Press
Biography for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
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