20 Best Books On Christian History (2023 Update)

A seasoned journalist chases down the biggest story in history is there credible evidence that jesus of nazareth really is the son of god? retracing his own spiritual journey from atheism to faith, lee strobel, former legal editor of the chicago tribune, cross-examines a dozen experts with doctorates who are specialists in the areas of old manuscripts, textual criticism, and biblical studies. strobel challenges them with questions like how reliable is the new testament? does evidence for jesus exist outside the bible? is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event? strobel's tough, point-blank questions make this bestselling book read like a captivating, fast-paced novel. but it's not fiction. it's a riveting quest for the truth about history's most compelling figure. what will your verdict be in the the case for christ? "lee strobel probes with bulldog-like tenacity the evidence for the truth of biblical christianity." bruce m. metzger, phd, professor of new testament, emeritus, princeton theological seminary

Volume 1 of a five volume opus, now available in its entirety in paperback, pelikan traces the development of christian doctrine from the first century to the twentieth. the emergence of the catholic tradition (100-600) by the year 600 christian doctrine had achieved what jaroslav pelikan terms an "orthodox consensus"-the foundation for the development of doctrine in later periods. beginning with the "christian declaration of independence from judaism," the years 100 to 600 were a period of great ferment and vitality when the fundamental affirmations of christian dogma emerged from a welter of beliefs and teachings. the emergence of the catholic tradition is the history of this critical, troubled time. pelikan focuses upon the subtle relation between what the faithful believed, what teachers-both orthodox and heretical-taught, and what the church confessed as dogma during its first six centuries of growth. in constructing his work, pelikan has made use of exegetical and liturgical sources in addition to the usual polemical, apologetic, and systematic or speculative materials. condition: some general light shelf wear and spine creases otherwise good. no notations.

See how the history of the christian church unfolded from its first century roots through the medieval period. packed with nearly 160 visual teaching and learning tools, from charts and timelines, to maps and visual guides–charts of ancient and medieval church history will help you quickly grasp the historic foundation on which contemporary christianity rests. from geography, to theology, to doctrines both orthodox and heretical, to key figures and movements over the first 1,500 years of its history, the broad comprehensive scope of ancient church history is represented simply and clearly. – perfect for enhancing every type of teaching and learning situation and style, including homeschooling curricula and tutoring, church classes and sunday school. notable topics include: the life of jesus christ – the age of the earliest church fathers – the age of the apologists – essential components of gnosticism – pelagius and augustine compared – the emergence of the roman catholic church – the division of the church: west and east – the crusadeszondervancharts are ready references for those who need the essential information at their fingertips. accessible and highly useful, the books in this library offer clear organization and thorough summaries of issues, subjects, and topics that are key for christian students and learners. the visuals and captions will cater to any teaching methodology, style, or program.

The mystery of history volume iii student reader continues the spectacular and provocative study of world history from the viewpoint of a christian author. spanning the renaissance, reformation, exploration, and some early american history, this volume explores the backdrop to and the significance surrounding the time-honored contributions found in art, music, literature, science, and philosophy of this rich era. unlike volumes i and ii, volume iii has been separated by the publishers into two beautiful books! the student reader now contains 84 stirring lessons written by linda lacour hobar in a colorful, easy-to-hold hardback. the reader is a stand alone world history text for all ages to enjoy. but for those who wish to delve deeper, you will want to consider the mystery of history (volume iii) companion guide: curriculum and student activities. this black and white paperback guide book, written also by linda lacour hobar, will contain these familiar and popular components of the mystery of history series: pretests; hands-on/research activities for younger, middle, and older students; memory card ideas; bi-weekly quizzes and exercises; timeline helps; maps; supplemental book lists; and more. (though it is recommended that volumes i and ii be studied prior to this volume, it is not necessary. volume iii can stand alone as a full course of renaissance/reformation history.)

A standard survey of the history of the christian church from a.d. 33 to modern times, the church in history by b. 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. detailed and fact-filled yet balanced and readable, this volume offers a panoramic view of the church's growth worldwide throughout the past 2,000 years, including a comprehensive section on the church in the united states and canada. with close to 300 photographs, maps, and timelines throughout and thought-provoking study questions at the end of each chapter, the church in history is an excellent introductory resource for students or for anyone wanting to better understand the history of the church.

A vintage reproduction of this famous illustrated time-line of earth history first published in 1871. the fold-out chart features detailed, full-color drawings of various stages of history, from adam and eve to the late 19th century, with handwritten commentary throughout. – perfect for educational settings or sunday school walls, the 21 full-size panels make it an unique resource and an easy way to learn. children and adults alike will be fascinated by the gorgeous illustrations that are woven throughout the time-line, creating an intricate and uniquely synchronized visual map of the ages. – discover ancient cultures like the assyrians, babylonians, persians, greeks, and more! delight in the mysterious seven wonders of the world and learn where they once stood. get the big picture of history and how it falls in line with a biblical world view! have a virtual library conveniently at your fingertips with the incomparable adam’s chart of history – get your copy today! discover:who were the first navigators? who was the emperor of china during the reign of solomon? what kinds of alphabets were used in the ancient world? what advances in mathematics were being made while nebuchadnezzar was reigning? how much was a bible worth in 1440 a.d.? study:time-line includes detailed biblical history – ancient history (including greek and roman)inventions, discoveries, and events – european and american early history, and many other details – one-of-a-kind:based on archbishop james ussher’s classic work, the annals of the world.21 full-colored panels, large format time-line that is easy to read. nothing on the market in this size. – starts with creation at 4004 b.c. and goes to 1870 and our 19th president, r.b. hayes.

A radical and powerful reappraisal of the impact of constantine’s adoption of christianity on the later roman world, and on the subsequent development both of christianity and of western civilization.when the emperor contstantine converted to christianity in 368 ad, he changed the course of european history in ways that continue to have repercussions to the present day. adopting those aspects of the religion that suited his purposes, he turned rome on a course from the relatively open, tolerant and pluralistic civilization of the hellenistic world, towards a culture that was based on the rule of fixed authority, whether that of the bible, or the writings of ptolemy in astronomy and of galen and hippocrates in medicine. brilliantly wide-ranging and ambitious, this is a major work of history.

Take in the full history of the bible with a detailed account that focuses on its major empires, events and personalities. written by a religious scholar who has taught at high school, college and adult levels, this historical exploration is organized around the major civilizations and epochs of the ancient world, beginning with sumer and ending with rome. gore provides a thorough overview of major empires, such as the assyrians or babylonians, as well as more modest civilizations, such as the phoenicians or hittites. learn how cyrus the persian, alexander the great, julius caesar, and others changed the course of christianity. in the course of historical exploration, this account also examines questions that may have puzzled readers of the bible in the past: – who was sennacherib? – to which assyrian king did jonah preach, and did this make any difference in history? – what did the "eight night visions" of zechariah mean in light of the rule of darius the persian? study the bible with an eye on its ancient setting and develop an understanding of its key people, places and civilizations with historical and chronological context of the bible.

Every catholic at some time in his life has undoubtedly felt a desire to know the history of the catholic church. but where to begin the study of 2,000 years? probably no book was better conceived or better executed to fulfill this need than church history by fr. it was written expressly both for students and for adults, and anyone who becomes familiar with this book will find that he has acquired an excellent background in church history. starting at the very beginning of the church and proceeding in historical sequence right into the 20th century, fr. laux presents the story of the church in both a masterful and an extremely readable manner. he starts with the preparation of the world for the coming of christ and our lord's life and ministry. he then discusses such topics as the martyrs of the roman persecutions, st. athanasius and the arian heresy, st. jerome and the translation of the scriptures, the early fathers and doctors of the church, the councils of ephesus and nicaea, pope st. gregory the great, the rise of mohammedanism, charlemagne and the holy roman empire, the conversion of the germans, irish, poles, slavs, english and other peoples, the greek schism, the crusades, st. bernard of clairvaux, the hundred years war, albigensianism and st. dominic, the inquisition, the babylonian captivity of the popes, the great western schism (when there were 3 claimants to the papal throne), scholasticism and the medieval universities, the renaissance and humanism, luther, calvin and the rise of protestantism, henry viii and the loss of the faith in england, the council of trent, the catholic reformation, the founding of the jesuits, the growth of the church in the new world, jansenism, gallicanism and rationalism, the 18th-century enlightenment and the french revolution, cardinal newman and the oxford movement, vatican i and the decree on papal infallibility, the work of the church in the early 20th century, and of course much, much more. laux taught church history for many years, and this book is the fruit of his work. as a result, he shows incredible talent as a writer of history: 1) he always maintains balance and proportion in his treatment; 2) he is thorough, yet brief; 3) he focuses on the interesting and the germane; 4) he intersperses the history with many brief, interesting biographies of famous people, such as, st. patrick, st. augustine, martin luther, etc.; and 5) at the end of each chapter, he quotes briefly from a famous writing of the era. thus, he blends a medley of elements into a comprehensive historical composition that is at once brilliant and fascinating. laux is a story of the church unparalleled in its scope, depth, variety, interest and impact. it is a book every catholic should read, that people might understand in what manner the "mustard seed" of the faith has grown to be the greatest institution in the entire world. no one can be a knowledgeable catholic-or even a knowledgeable person-without knowing her story and how she has steadily advanced, overcoming all obstacles and all enemies in her quest to convert the world to jesus christ.

The story of christianity is a fascinating tale. yet during the past two thousand years the power of jesus is felt throughout the interplay of human actors and the forces of world events. how can you grasp the story played out on such a gigantic stage? this book is an ideal place to start. jeffrey bingham has skillfully selected the key people and episodes to tell a grand and humbling story. from roman persecution to the early creeds, from the monastic movement to the reformation, from the rise of liberalism to missionary expansion, he chronicles the ups and downs of a people and a faith. this pocket history has been crafted for students, pastors and other busy people who want an informed, clear and concise presentation that feeds the mind and moves the heart. it is an account that nurtures the christian virtues of faith, hope and love. for bingham aims not only to uncover the treasures of the church's past but also to show how history aids your own spiritual journey today. designed for students and pastors alike, the short and accessible volumes in the ivp pocket reference series will help you tackle the study of biblical languages, church history, apologetics, world religions, christian spirituality, ethics, theology, and more.

The bible tells the stories of many empires, and many are still considered some of the largest of the ancient and classical world: the assyrians, the babylonians, the persians, the greeks, and finally the romans. in this provocative book, nine experts bring a critical analysis of these world empires in the background of the old and new testaments. as they explain, the bible developed againstthe context of these empires, providing concrete meaning to the countercultural claims of jews and christians that their god was the true king, the real emperor. each chapter describes how to read the bible as a reaction to empire and points to how to respond to the biblical message to resist imperial powers in every age.

The fifth-century political battles that forever changed the church in this fascinating account of the surprisingly violent fifth-century church, philip jenkins describes how political maneuvers by a handful of powerful characters shaped christian doctrine. jesus wars reveals the profound implications of what amounts to an accident of history: that one faction of roman emperors and militia-wielding bishops defeated another.

Expanded and updated for the new millennium.covering the life of christ, the election of pope benedict xvi, and everything in between, a concise history of the catholic church has been one of the bestselling religious histories of the past two decades and a mainstay for scholars, students, and others looking for a definitive, accessible history of catholicism. with a clarity that will appeal to any reader, thomas bokenkotter divides his study into five parts that correspond to the major historical and epochal developments in catholicism. his authoritative, thorough approach takes readers from the church’s triumph over paganism, through "the sound and fury of renewal," to a new section devoted to such topics as dissent and current developments in the ecumenical movement. informative illustrations throughout the book, new to this edition, enrich the reader's experience, and the addition of a wide-ranging bibliography increases its value as a sourcebook.

Do you believe it's possible to be happier than you have ever been before? not for fleeting moments, but consistently? bestselling author matthew kelly believes it is possible–and in his latest book, the biggest lie, he explains how. modern culture is constantly feeding us lies, and these lies affect you more than you know. the lies that affect you the most, however, are the ones you tell yourself. these lies steal your joy, sap your energy, and cause you to lose hope. they prevent you from discovering the kind of vibrant faith the first christians experienced. people are disillusioned with what the world offers. the world is in desperate need of change, and no one is in a better position to effect that change than christians. this book provides the practical tools necessary to help you regain your fervor and leave your mark on the world–and experience more happiness than you thought possible.

This groundbreaking work that sheds light on the historical foundations of the bestselling book of all time—the bible—is now updated with the latest scientific and archaeological breakthroughs in biblical investigation. – no other work is as widely read throughout the world as the bible. but did you ever wonder about its fascinating history as well as some of the scientific and historical studies that have been conducted to support the numerous accounts in the bible? now in this newly updated edition of the bible as history, the latest scientific and archaeological breakthroughs in biblical investigation are revealed. – this updated edition features:remarkable evidence that confirms some of the most monumental and controversial events in the bible, including the destruction of sodom and gomorra. – deciphered texts from the ancient world that offer an intriguing look back at the origin of the ten commandments. – the extraordinary techniques used to try and prove the authenticity of the shroud of turin.…and more! a breathtaking journey to the heart of holy scripture, the bible as history pieces together one of the most stunning spiritual puzzles in the history of mankind.

It's concise, easy to read, and full of interesting material! a concise history of christianity shows you exactly how christianity came to be, the major highlights of its history, and why appreciating its diversity is such an important component of properly understanding it. plus, peterson's lively writing style will keep your attention and the many study tools will help you succeed on midterms and finals.

Examines the early christian community, gnosticism, the catholic church, the influence of the roman empire, the crusades, the reformation, and modern christianity.

Examines the early christian community, gnosticism, the catholic church, the influence of the roman empire, the crusades, the reformation, and modern christianity.

It is now almost 2000 years since the birth of jesus christ set in motion the chain of events which led to the creation of the christian faith and its diffusion throughout the world. during these two millennia christianity has, perhaps, proved more influential in shaping human destiny than any other institutional philosophy, but there are now signs that its period of predominance is drawing to a close, thereby inviting a retrospect and a balance sheet. in this book the author has attempted to survey the whole history in one volume.

Voted a 2000 book of the year by christianity todaywinner of a year 2000 ecpa gold medallion award history is made up of stories–narratives that recount the events, movements, ideas and lives that have shaped religions and nations. theologian roger olson believes that the history of christian theology should be told as such a story, one replete with thick plots, exciting twists, interesting people and fascinating ideas. in this panoramic work of historical theology olson vividly recounts the deeds and words of the cultists and apostolic fathers of the second century, the clash between the theological schools of alexandria and antioch, the epochal division between east and west, the revolutionary advent of the reformation and much more, right on up to the dazzling, sometimes dismaying fallout that has continued to shake christians through the twentieth century. through it all olson detects and traces a common thread: a concern for salvation–god's redemptive activity in forgiving and transforming sinful human beings. evenhanded, refreshingly readable, impressive in its breadth and depth, the story of christian theology is poised to become a standard historical theology text.