Church History 101

Church history is important because it shows us how God’s faithful dealings with His people in the Bible continue in the ongoing life and work of Christ in our world. If you have ever wished for a short book highlighting church history’s most important events that will enlighten your mind and peak your interest, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. Three prolific church historians collaborate their efforts in Church History 101 to present you with a quick read of church history’s high points. 

Table of Contents:

Preface

First Century: Apostolic Foundations

Second Century: The Church of Martyrs and Confessors

Third Century: Persecution and Heresy; Origen and Tertullian

Fourth Century: The Beginnings of the Christian Empire

Fifth Century: The City of God and the City of Man

Sixth Century: Justinian, Benedict, and the Conversion of the Scots

Seventh Century: Gregory the Great and the Rise of Islam

Eighth Century: The Iconoclastic Controversy

Ninth Century: Struggle for Power in the Church; Ratramnus and Gottschalk

Tenth Century: “The Dark Ages”

Eleventh Century:  The Great Schism; Anselm of Canterbury

Twelfth Century: The Crusades, Abelard, Lombard, and the Waldenses

Thirteenth Century: Francis of Assisi and Thomas Aquinas

Fourteenth Century: The Church’s Babylonian Captivity and John Wycliffe

Fifteenth Century:  The Renaissance, Huss, Savonarola, and Groote

Sixteenth Century: Luther, Calvin, and the Reformation

Seventeenth Century: Reforming the Church in England

Eighteenth Century: The Great Awakening

Nineteenth Century: Beginnings of Modern Theology and Kingdom Builders

Twentieth Century: The Age of Paradoxes

Authors

Sinclair B. Ferguson is a teaching fellow of Ligonier Ministries.

Joel R. Beeke is president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

Michael A. G. Haykin is professor of church history and biblical spirituality at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.