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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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206 Items found Print
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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 (2 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)
Adoniram Judson
by Sharon Hambrick
from Bob Jones University Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.80 (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)
$3.60 (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)
Ann of Ava
by Ethel Hubbard, Illustrated by Margaret Ayer
2017 Reprint from Accelerated Christian Education
for 8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.60 (1 in stock)
Anne Bradstreet
by Heidi L. Nichols
from P&R Publishing
Biography for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$9.79 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Arrow Pointing to Heaven
by James Bryan Smith
Revised from B&H Books
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
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)
$5.00 (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)
Baker Atlas of Christian History
by Tim Dowley, Editor
from Baker Books
for 7th-Adult
in Historical & Cultural Atlases (Location: HISRF-ATLAS)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Becoming Elisabeth Elliot
by Ellen Vaughn
from Broadman & Holman
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$7.20 (1 in stock)
Beggars' Victory
Struggle for Freedom Series #3
by Piet Prins
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$11.01 $5.60 (1 in stock)
Billy Graham
Heroes of the Faith
by Sam Wellman
from Barbour Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Billy Sunday (old)
by Elaine Cunningham
from A Beka Books
for 6th grade
$4.00 (17 in stock)
Bobby’s Friends
by Phia van den Berg
from Inheritance Publications
for 4th-7th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$8.46 $5.20 (1 in stock)
Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther
from Revell Publishing
for 9th-Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$6.80 (1 in stock)
Bondage of the Will
by Martin Luther, translated by Henry Cole
from Feather Trail Press
for Adult
in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN)
$6.40 (1 in stock)
Brethren During the Age of World War
from Brethren Press
for Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Bruchko
by Bruce Olson
Updated from Charisma House
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$4.00 (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)
By Pike and Dyke - Unit Study Guide
by Rick Medlin
from Preston Speed
Historical Fiction for 6th-10th grade
in G. A. Henty Books (Location: FIC-HEN)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
California Missions Activity Book
by Arlan Dean and Kay Ward
1st edition from Rosen School Supply
for 4th grade
in California (Location: HISA-19CGR)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Calvin, Geneva & the Reformation
by Ronald S. Wallace
from Wipf and Stock Publishers
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$9.60 (1 in stock)
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)
Chimney Sweep's Ransom
by Dave & Neta Jackson
from Bethany House
for 3rd-7th grade
in Trailblazer Books (Location: SER-TRAIL)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Choices, Changes
by Joni Eareckson Tada
from Zondervan
Biography for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (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)
Christianity Through the Centuries
by Earle E. Cairns
Second Revised Edition from Zondervan
for 8th-12th grade
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$8.00 (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)
Christopher Columbus
by Elaine Murray Stone
500 Anv from Tyndale House
Biography for Preschool-3rd Grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$5.20 (1 in stock)
Church History
by Simonetta Carr
from Reformation Heritage Books
for 4th-10th grade
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$35.00 $24.50 (1 in stock)
Church History ABCs
by Ned Bustard, Stephen J. Nichols
from Crossway Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$16.99 $9.00 (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 (2 in stock)
Corrie Ten Boom: Shining in the Darkness
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Meloche
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 2nd-4th grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
$3.60 (1 in stock)
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)
D. L. Moody: God's Salesman
by Sandy Dengler
from Moody Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.80 (1 in stock)
Dayuma
by Ethel Emily Wallis
from YWAM Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV)
$12.74 $6.00 (2 in stock)
Dayuma Story
by Ethel Emily Wallis
from Harper & Brothers
for 8th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: An Evangelical Reassessment
by Georg Huntemann
from Baker Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.40 (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)
$11.01 $5.60 (2 in stock)
Do the Next Thing
Trailblazers
by Selah Helms
from Christian Focus Publications
for 4th-6th grade
in TorchBearers & TrailBlazers (Location: BIO-TRAIL)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Eric Liddell
Men of Faith
by Catherine Swift
from Bethany House
Biography for 6th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Explorers, Missionaries, and Trappers
by Kieran Doherty
from Oliver-Nelson Books
for 7th-9th grade
in Western Expansion (1800-1898) (Location: HISA-19WES)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Famous Men of the Renaissance and Reformation
1st edition from Greenleaf Press
for 3rd-8th grade
in Old Edition History & Geography (Location: OHIS)
$5.00 (3 in stock)
Famous Men of the Renaissance and Reformation - Greenleaf Guide
by Robert & Cynthia Shearer
from Greenleaf Press
for 6th-11th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$6.00 (5 in stock)
Farrier of Buda
by P. de Zeeuw
from Pro Ecclesia
Historical Fiction for
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
$8.46 $4.80 (1 in stock)
Father to Nobody's Children
by David E. Fessenden
from CLC Publications
for 4th-7th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.40 (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 (2 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)
$18.99 $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)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
For the Heart of Holland
Struggle for Freedom Series #4
by Piet Prins
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$11.01 $7.20 (1 in stock)
Forbidden Land
by Geoffrey T. Bull
from Moody Press
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$9.50 (1 in stock)
Frederick Douglass
Heroes of the Faith
by Rachael Phillips
from Barbour Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.00 (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)
From Bondage to Freedom
Emma Leslie Church History Series
by Emma Leslie
from Salem Ridge Press
for 5th-9th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
George Muller: Does Money Grow on Trees?
Little Lights
by Catherine Mackenzie, illustrated by Rita Ammassari
from Christian Focus Publications
for 1st-3rd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
Gifts of the Jews
by Thomas Cahill
from Nan A. Talese
for 9th-Adult
in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Gladys Aylward
Christian Heroes: Then & Now
by Geoff & Janet Benge
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 4th-7th grade
in Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Location: BIO-BENGE)
$10.19 $4.80 (3 in stock)
God Speaks Numanggang
by David Hazell
2021 Printing from My Father's World
for 2nd-4th grade
in My Father's World (Location: CUR-MFW)
$6.00 (3 in stock)
God Spoke Tibetan
by Allan Maberly
from Evangelical Bible Translators
for 4th-7th grade
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
God's Adventurer
by Phyllis Thompson
from OMF
Biography for 5th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (3 in stock)
God's Outlaw
by Brian H. Edwards
2nd edition from Evangelical Press
Biography for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$5.60 (1 in stock)
Granny Han's Breakfast
by Shelia Groves
from OMF
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$2.00 (3 in stock)
Hawk That Dare Not Hunt By Day
by Scott O'Dell
from Bob Jones University Press
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$7.64 $4.80 (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 Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$11.89 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Helen Roseveare: What's in the parcel?
Little Lights #05
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (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)
$14.44 $7.20 (2 in stock)
Hero Tales Volume I
by Dave & Neta Jackson
from Bethany House
Biography Anthologies for 3rd-6th grade
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Heroes of the Faith
by Gene Fedele
from Bridge-Logos
for 8th-10th grade
in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE)
$14.44 $7.20 (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)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
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 World - Bundle
from Master Books
for 10th-12th grade
in Master Books History (Location: HISCUR-MB)
$48.00 (1 in stock)
History of the World: The Transforming Influence of Jesus Christ
from Master Books
for 10th-12th grade
in Master Books History (Location: HISCUR-MB)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
How the Bible Came to Us
by Meryl Doney
from Lion Publishing
Biblical Reference for 3rd-6th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$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)
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)
Hudson Taylor: Could somebody pass the salt?
Little Lights #02
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (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)
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 My Father's House
by Corrie Ten Boom
Book Club Edition from Power Books
for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (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)
$6.40 (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)
Jason Lee
Sowers Series
by Charles Ludwig
from Mott Media
Biography for 7th-9th grade
in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
John Calvin
by Burk Parsons (editor)
from Reformation Trust Publishing
in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF)
$8.00 (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 Calvin: Man of the Millennium
from Vision Forum
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$9.60 (1 in stock)
John Charles Ryle
by Peter Toon, Michael Smout
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
John Knox
by Simonetta Carr
from Reformation Heritage Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$18.00 $10.00 (1 in stock)
John Knox: Who Will Save You?
Little Lights #14
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
John Newton
by Catherine Swift
from Bethany House
for 5th-10th grade
in Men & Women of Faith (Location: BIO-FAITH)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
John Wesley
Heroes of the Faith
by Sam Wellman
from Barbour Publishing
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
John Wesley
Men of Faith
by Basil Miller
from Bethany House
Biography for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Johnny Appleseed
Sowers Series
by David Collins
from Mott Media
for 5th-7th grade
in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW)
$7.64 $4.00 (3 in stock)
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