The Essentials of Church History: Discovering the People, Events, and Doctrines That Shaped Christianity Across the Centuries
About this ebook
Discovering the People, Events, and Doctrines That Shaped Christianity Across the Centuries
What happened to the Church after the apostles?
How did Christians defend their faith during persecution? Why did councils and creeds become so important? How did Christian worship develop? What caused the Protestant Reformation? How did missionaries carry the gospel to different nations? How did Pentecostal Christianity begin and spread across the world?
The Essentials of Church History gives readers a clear account of Christianity from the Apostolic Church to the modern era.
Beginning with Jesus Christ and the apostles, this book follows the development of Christian faith, doctrine, worship, ministry and mission across two thousand years. It examines the people, events, debates and movements that have had a lasting influence on Christian life.
The Early Church receives careful attention, including the apostles, persecution, the Church Fathers and the defense of Christian teaching. Readers are introduced to major theological disputes and the councils that helped clarify central Christian beliefs.
One major turning point came in AD 325, when Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea to address the controversy surrounding Arius and the nature of Christ. The book explains the background to the council and the importance of the Nicene Creed in Christian history.
The Medieval Church receives its own treatment, followed by one of the most significant periods in Christian history.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther presented his Ninety Five Theses in Wittenberg. His challenge concerning indulgences became one of the major catalysts of the Protestant Reformation. The book also examines Luther's theology, his conflict with Rome and his appearance before the Diet of Worms in 1521.
The story then moves into revival and global missions.
The modern missionary movement is commonly dated from 1792, when William Carey published his famous appeal for Christian missions. The book examines the growth of organized missionary work and the contribution of Christian missionaries who carried the gospel into Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.
Pentecostal history receives serious attention as well.
In 1906, William J. Seymour became associated with the Pentecostal revival in Los Angeles. The meetings continued for several years, from 1906 to 1909, and helped spread Pentecostal teaching far beyond its original congregation. The book examines Seymour's ministry, the emphasis on the Holy Spirit and the worldwide influence of the Pentecostal movement.
Across twelve chapters, readers will encounter:
• The foundations of Church history
• The Apostolic Church
• The Early Church Fathers and the defense of the faith
• Creeds, councils and Christian unity
• The Medieval Church
• The Protestant Reformation
• Revival movements and global missions
• Pentecostalism and the modern Church
• The development of Christian doctrine
• Worship, ministry and Christian living
• Lessons from two thousand years of Church history
• Living the legacy of the Church
This book is especially suited to pastors, clergy, worship leaders, ministry leaders, Bible students, seminary learners and Christians who want a stronger historical foundation for their faith.
Pastors can use Church history to gain perspective for preaching, teaching and Christian leadership.
Worship leaders can gain historical context for the development of Christian worship and Church practice.
Ministry leaders can learn from the courage, sacrifice, errors and achievements of earlier generations.
Bible students can place major Christian doctrines and theological debates within their historical setting.
Seminary learners can use the book as an accessible foundation for further study.
Every Christian reader can gain a clearer understanding of how the Church reached the present age.
The bibliography includes respected works by Roland H. Bainton, Louis Berkhof, Henry Bettenson, F. F. Bruce, Justo L. González, Kenneth Scott Latourette, Alister E. McGrath, Nick Needham, Mark A. Noll, Philip Schaff, Bruce L. Shelley and Williston Walker.
The story of the Church includes moments of courage and moments of failure.
It includes persecution and revival.
It includes theological conflict and renewed commitment to biblical truth.
It includes missionaries who left familiar surroundings to serve people in distant lands.
It includes pastors, teachers, reformers and ordinary believers who continued serving Christ when circumstances became difficult.
Their experiences raise an important question for every generation:
What will the Church do with the faith it has received?
Read the history.
Understand the people and events behind Christian doctrine.
Learn how worship and ministry developed.
See how missions carried the gospel across nations.
Consider the lessons of two thousand years of Christian history.
Then take your place in the continuing work of Christ's Church.
Discover more
About the author
Josiah Everstone writes on Christian theology, Church history, biblical doctrine, worship, ministry and Christian mission.
His writing is directed toward pastors, ministry leaders, Bible students, seminary learners and Christian readers who want a stronger understanding of the history and development of the Church.
In The Essentials of Church History, Everstone presents a twelve chapter account beginning with the Apostolic Church and continuing through the Early Church Fathers, major councils, Medieval Christianity, the Protestant Reformation, revival movements, global missions, Pentecostalism, Christian doctrine, worship, ministry and Christian living.
His approach connects historical study with practical Christian application. Particular attention is given to the ways Church history can help Christians understand doctrine, worship, ministry, missions, leadership and faithful service.
Everstone's writing also recognizes the successes and failures found throughout Christian history. By presenting both, his work encourages readers to learn from previous generations and to take seriously the responsibility of preserving biblical truth and serving Christ in the present age.
Through accessible Christian writing, Josiah Everstone seeks to help readers understand the Church's past, strengthen their Christian convictions and faithfully participate in the mission entrusted to the Church.
