00.4. Preface
PREFACE The story of the beginning and progress of the Christian Church is intensely interesting. It deals with some of the most dramatic episodes in history. For the child of God it is also instructive and inspiring. He regards it as a heritage that should be passed on to his children. In recognition of this the Board of the National Union of Christian Schools, through its Educational Committee, requested Mr. B. K. Kuiper to write a manuscript that could be used for a textbook in church history. He complied, and The Church in History is the gratifying result.
Mr. Kuiper is well known for his all-absorbing interest in church history, his lifetime of study and research in this field, and his outstanding ability as a teacher of history. He drew from a rich background as he wrote this book. Yet he constantly kept in mind the needs of the student and the general reader for whom he was writing. The Church in History was prepared specifically for use as a textbook. The original manuscript was submitted for critical evaluation to several teachers of church history. Many of their suggestions and recommendations were incorporated in the final preparation and arrangement of the material.
Great care was exercised to make the book conform to the best educational practices. It is divided into five sections. Each section begins with an appropriate introduction and outline. These are designed to give the reader a preview of the material to follow and to stimulate his interest in reading it. Each chapter also begins with an outline. These chapter outlines enable the reader to obtain at a glance a survey of the entire chapter.
Throughout the book carefully selected illustrations enliven the pages. The time lines and the excellent maps should serve as aids to the teacher as well as to the students. The vocabulary is readily within the comprehension of students in secondary schools, and the interesting narrative style makes the book one which may be read with enjoyment by young and old alike.
It is our fervent hope that those who read this book may learn to love not only church history but also the Church itself, for it is the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John A. Van Bruggen, Educational Director THE NATIONAL UNION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS