I am looking for suggestions on good books on the history of Christianity.

I recently picked one up called "A History of Christianity" By Kenneth Scott Latourette at a used bookstore and it looked like it was going to be a good read, but after the first few chapters I am not quite sure what to make of it. Is anyone familiar with it?

Thanks for any help

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Jeffrey Wilson
Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church
London Baptist Confession of Faith 1689
Summerland, British Columbia, Canada

"Discrimination is just a choice based on knowledge and good reason" Farrell Griswold

It was my seminary text, excellent scholarship, but is one of the most boring texts to read. Perfect example of an excellent scholar whose style of reporting leaves much to be desired. But someone may differ from my experience with this text.

DTK

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Sola Scriptura est norma normans non normata
David T. King, pastor
Christ Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Elkton, Maryland
Augustine (354-430): Therefore what He [i.e., Christ] has deigned to speak to us, we ought to believe that He meant us to understand. But if we do not understand He, being asked, gives understanding, who gave His Word unasked. NPNF1: Vol. VII, Tractates on John, Tractate XXII, §1.

Latourette was a church historian who studied at Yale (1904-1909). He became involved in the the Yale Mission and served in China until illness brought him home in 1912. An American Baptist, he not only served a term as President of that denomination but returned to Yale where he was a professor from 1921 until his retirement in 1953. He also was elected president of the American Historical Association.

Latourette is best known for his The History of Christian Missions in China (1929), History of the Expansion of Christianity (7 vols., 1937–1945), and Christianity in a Revolutionary Age (5 vols., 1958–1962).

(Cf. Douglas, J., Douglas, J., & Clouse, R., G. (1997, c1991). Vol. 4: Biographical entries from New 20th-century encyclopedia of religious knowledge. Rev. ed. of: Twentieth century encyclopedia of religious knowledge 1955.; Biographical entries from New 20th-century encyclopedia of religious knowledge.)

For a brief bibliography on Church History from the editors of Leadership Journal . . .

Earle E. Cairns, Christianity through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church (Zondervan, 1954, 1981). From a "conservative, non-denominational perspective," Cairns quickly scans the multifarious history of Christendom. Includes a fine bibliography at the end of each chapter, as well as many pictures, charts, and maps.

Jean Comby, How to Read Church History, 2 vols. (Crossroad, 1989). Comby’s unique approach includes many excerpts from historical documents (nearly as much material as the narrative), helping the reader to do history as well as read it. Highlights Roman Catholic events, but gives a fair shake to Protestant developments too.

Tim Dooley, ed., Eerdmans’ Handbook to the History of Christianity (Eerdmans, 1977; rev. 1990). Colorful charts, graphs, maps and pictures bombard the reader of this combination history and dictionary. Each section includes major articles accented nicely with shorter pieces on important personalities, movements, and events. A book one can curl up with for hours.

Justo González, The Story of Christianity, 2 vols. (Harper & Row, 1984). With an economy of expression, González captures the character and significance of events and people. He also devotes substantial coverage to Christianity in Central and Latin America. Many visuals and chapter bibliographies fill out this engaging history.

Paul Johnson, A History of Christianity (Atheneum, 1977). Written as a "retrospect" and "balance sheet" now that Christianity’s "period of predominance is drawing to a close." The fast-moving narrative, not always theologically orthodox, has a journalistic flavor: events are set in their political context, and Johnson’s not unwilling to suggest the less noble side of things.

Kenneth Scott Latourette, A History of Christianity, 2 vols. (Harper & Row, 1975). A study of the "pulsations in the life of Christianity." Latourette charts the expansion of Christianity and its effect on the world. He attempts to cover everything with some depth, and he succeeds. A classic.

Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language (Word, 1982). Shelley is a courageous historian: he does not hesitate to use gripping anecdotes and stories to crystallize periods and issues. To keep the reader engaged, he focuses on one major issue per chapter. thoroughness is slighted, as he admits, but this book keeps the story in history.

Charles Williams, The Descent of the Dove: A Short History of the Holy Spirit in the Church (1939). Williams writes history as he does novels: as if the supernatural world view of Christians makes a difference. Regularly he notes that "our Lord the Spirit" permitted this or ordained that. This brief metaphysical, cultural, and spiritual history of the church, although dated, will still reward the patient reader.

Christian History : 100 Most important events in church history. 1990; Carol Stream IL: Christianity Today.

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Dennis E. McFadden, Ex Mainline Baptist (in Remission)
Atherton Baptist Homes, CEO
First Baptist Church of Alhambra, Member, Transformation Ministries (CA)

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Not a book but another recommendation about how you can "redeem" time that would otherwise be wasted while driving or around the house. RTS on iTunes U has a great free podcast on the the history of Christianity.

__________________
Rich
Okinawa, Japan

WebsiteMaven - Web Hosting Reviews, Guides, and Advice to build and promote your web site.
SoliDeoGloria.com - A Community for Reformed Thought and Discussion

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

How about....

History of the Christian Church, 8 Volumes
By: Philip Schaff

Can be found here.

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~James Helbert~, Wytheville, VA
Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCUS
TheBibleAlone.com / The Edinburgh Inn
"Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” - Zechariah 3:2

David,

I actually find it well written and not boring to read, but what has me wondering is the way the author relates the story of Christ. I'm not sure how do describe it but it, but he seems to paint a very secular picture of Jesus. He also seems to have no understanding of the divinity of Christ. I am actually shocked to hear that he is a Baptist to be honest.

However, I did browse through the section on the Reformation, and yes I agree the scholorship is excellent.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will be checking them out!

I said he was an American Baptist (ABCUSA). That means anything from KJV-only dispensationalist on the right to Peter Gomes, the openly homosexual chaplain at Harvard, on the left. In the US, there are substantial theological differences between some of the Baptist bodies. The ABC, for example, has several regional judicatories open to gay clergy (cf. TABCOM, Chicago, Rochester, etc. [I only identified by name the ones on record with this postion]), a history of accepting progressive theology (e.g., Harvey Cox), etc. Check out the heritage statement of ABC affiliated Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (http://www.crds.edu/).

While the ABC has a strong presence of conservatives, it is by no means uniform in its theology. One of the core values, "soul liberty" (falsely attributed, IMHO, to Roger Williams), is viewed as preventing any kind of confessional uniformity. That is why so many of the judicatories have active "Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptist" congregations (Find a Welcoming & Affirming Church). It has been a long time since graduates of some ABC schools even needed to believe in the Deity of Christ or the uniqueness of salvation in Christ alone in order to be ordained or remain in good standing (cf. A Voluptuous God: A Christian Heretic Speaks, Celebration of Mystery, Heretics Community Event: Sunday, 9/30 @ 11:30 a.m. - Forbes.com; for official support by the judicatory executive minister for the work of this church, cf. AWAB's Lake Street Church, Evanston, IL, Brings Together Eight Faiths in Day of Harmony at Associational eNewsletter, which cites a Chicago Tribune piece approvingly).

Thank you for clarifying that for me. Its tough to keep all the acronyms straight

My Favorite:

2,000 Years of Christ's Power (3 vol.)
By Nick Needham

Amazon.com: 2,000 Years of Christ's Power: Part...
I found it to be a very exciting read.

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Matthew Morales
Santa Rosa, CA
Redeemer Presbyterian Church
"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" John 17:17 (ESV)

"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face"
-William Cowper

Check my blog and Schaff is online.

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Independent Reformed Baptist Church (NE England, nr. Durham)