Church History

Studying history has many benefits. For example, we gain an appreciation for others whose work has improved our quality of life, such as technological advances that give more people access to clean water and better medical care. But we also have an opportunity to learn from others’ unwise and immoral decisions, such as when they oppressed various ethnic groups.

Christians should study history from a wide variety of perspectives, whether through the lenses of politics, art, music, or otherwise. But below I list resources that are particularly instructive and edifying for the Christian, focusing on the history of the church. These works not only address broader movements within the church, but they also highlight both individual Christians who served God faithfully in their lifetimes and the history of Christian thought. The more we read of the church’s history, the more we gain wisdom to honor God in our generation.*

Historical Movements

*Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley (2): This is one of the most accessible yet comprehensive books on church history.

In the Year of Our Lord by Sinclair B. Ferguson (2 or 3): The author views his work as a personal tour through twenty centuries of church history, focusing on select people of interest.

The American Evangelical Story by Douglas A. Sweeney (3 or 4): Today, people often associate the word evangelical with certain political viewpoints. In this book, however, the author traces the history of evangelicals in America, reminding us that evangelicalism is a movement that is grounded in the gospel, which is the good news that Jesus died and rose from the dead to bring people to God.

*Turning Points by Mark A. Noll (3 or 4): Per the subtitle of this book, the author surveys “decisive moments in the history of Christianity,” which I find to be one of the most helpful ways to study church history.

Biographical Studies

Epic by Tim Challies: “Through thirty-three carefully selected objects, author and pastor Tim Challies introduces readers to the history of Christianity in a unique and creative way. It’s a story that tells us what God is accomplishing in this world, whether through princes or peasants, triumph or trial. Each of these objects offers us a tangible link between the present and the past, between the Christians of the twenty-first century and the Christians who lived and died in centuries past.”

50 People Every Christian Should Know by Warren W. Wiersbe (2): Starting in the sixteenth century, the author invites us to learn from the, in his words, “spiritual giants of the faith.”

21 Servants of Sovereign Joy by John Piper (3): The author surveys twenty-one leaders from church history, emphasizing their contributions to God’s work in their own day and helping us understand their relevance for today.

Theologians on the Christian Life Series (3 or 4)

Historical Theology

The Glory of Grace by Lewis Allen & Tim Chester (1 or 2): A highly accessible introduction to the Puritans.

Theology of the Reformers by Timothy George (3 or 4): A survey of the major theological issues of the Protestant Reformation, including a chapter on the ongoing relevance of the Reformation’s theology for today.

Historical Theology by Gregg R. Allison (3 or 4): Viewing his work as a companion volume to Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem (3 or 4), the author organized this information by theological doctrine, then traces each doctrine through four periods of church history.

*Historical Theology by Alister E. McGrath (3 or 4): While the previous book by Allison organized its content by theological doctrines, the author organizes his work chronologically.

*I am grateful to Dr. Douglas Sweeney for recommending a number of books in this section.