Books on Church History

My question fell off the radar yesterday so I hope no-one minds me asking again.

Does anyone have any recommendations on books to do with church history? I'm looking for something that I can sink my teeth into.

Thanks!

Bereangirl

Dear Bereangirl,

Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a good one for early church history.

This thread may interest you; [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=4798&forum=40&post_id=&refresh=Go]Church History.[/url]

I have really enjoyed this set of Christian history books

[url=http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=3196X&netp_id=124623&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW]History of the Christian Church, 8 Volumes[/url]

God bless

TJ

A good friend in the Lord that I trust recommended a book called "The Pilgrim Church"... He said most church history books tend to just show from one pope to the next. While the Pilgrim Church traces the true church down through History.

However, the books is pretty expensive, $45.

[url=http://www.amazon.com/Pilgrim-Church-E-Hamer-Broadbent/dp/1882701534/sr=8-1/qid=1170034647/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5654304-0824645?ie=UTF8&s=books]The Pilgrim Church - Amazon.com[/url]

A good introductory book to church history that will give you a solid general survey, without bogging you down heavily in details and technical language is "Christianity Through the Centuries" by Earle Cairns. Probably only about 400-500 pages, comes with photos, diagrams, etc. Each chapter also has a further recommended reading list. From there, you can figure out which area of Christian history you like the most, and then concentrate your studies with books more specific to that time frame/historical figure.

As with any history you need some idea of the timescale. Chronology is the backbone of history. There are three books which spring to mind which will give you this kind of overview. They are all from a Brethren perspective, and all have the 'pilgrim' theme running through them.

The Pilgrim Church: Broadbent
The Torch of the Testimony: Kennedy
Millers Church History: Miller

"The Torch of the Testimony" is the cheapest and will give you a good feel for the 'church vertical' ie down the centuries. I would also recommend that where possible you read a secular history of the particular period you are studying; this will give you another perspective of the church's pilgrimage through the world.