2,000 Years of Christ's Power, Volume 1: The Age of the Early Church Fathers

2000 Years of Christ's PowerI could draw up quite a list of reasons why Christians need to study and understand the history of the church. We should study the history of the church so we can understand the development of doctrine and realize that a doctrine like the Trinity was not simply understood by a brief reading of Scripture, but was a doctrine forged in the fire of counsels, battles and excommunications. We should study the history of the church because, as the old adage states, those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. But I think the most important reason to study church history is to see and appreciate the mighty acts of God in preserving His people through the past two millenia of strife and persecution. Nick Needham, who pastors a church in London has attempted to carry this theme throughout a series of books on the history of the church. 2000 Years of Christ's Power is a four-volume series with the first three volumes already published and the fourth due for publication in the near future. The first volume discusses the age of the early church fathers, the second discusses the middle ages, the third discusses the renaisscance and reformation with the final, forthcoming volume bringing the history of the church to the present day. While the study of church history can easily become laborious, this series is intended to appeal "to the non-specialist and any modern Christian will find it challenging and stimulating to be introduced to men and women who loved and served the same Saviour that he loves and serves." Of course those who have already studied the history of the church will still find plenty of deep and interesting content. So how well does Needham succeed in his goal? Having now read the first volume I found he did an excellent job of making a complicated era of the church's history both interesting and understandable. This is surely no small task! The book is written in an appealing fashion and clearly targetted at people with little prior knowledge of the subject. The format is primarily chronological and each chapter concludes with a section of primary sources where the author provides short readings from the works of the historical figures just discussed. Words and concepts are well-defined and the book includes a helpful glossary. All of these factors work to make this a very accessible volume that will benefit any adult or teenager. I do have a few small concerns with the book. It was clear to me that the author was generally attempting to describe history without interpreting it or commenting on it. Having said that, I would have found it helpful to have him expend some effort in comparing the development of doctrine in this age with Protestant doctrine as we know it today. While at times it was clear to see how theology began to drift away from biblical orthodoxy, at other times it was more difficult to understand how the failings of the early church fathers contributed to much of the incorrect d

This is simply one of the most enjoyable and readable surveys of the early church that I have ever read! Dr. Needham's goal for this series is to strike a much needed balance between accessibility for the non-specialist, and scholarly integrity. In this first volume, he accomplishes this task admirably, and both the interested layman, and more advanced student can profit from this text. Dr. Needham does a commendable job tying the events of church history to their broader historical and philosophical context. His treatment of the many complex theological debates that shaped the early church is both clear and concise, and his exposition of the worship and practice of the early church is both fascinating and refreshing. The end of each chapter has a section of carefully selected primary source materials, which serve to give the reader limited exposure to the writings of some of the figures discussed in the preceding chapter. Several helpful but unspectacular maps can be found within, along with over a dozen illustrations. A nice glossary of terms and bibliography can also be found at the back.Thus far my only major criticism of this book would have to be the binding. Simply put, it is rather cheap and unlikely to take much wear. That not withstanding, I can't recommend this text enough, and eagerly look forward to the other volumes in this series.

Needham has done an excellent job with this 4-book series of giving his readers a big-picture of Church History. He does not cover material at great depth, but deals with the major characters, issues, and events that have shaped the history of the Christian church in enough detail to leave his readers with a good idea of how they each fit together in space and time.The first book is concerned with the period of the Church Fathers; the second, the Middle Ages (including the foundation and early character of Islam); the third, the Reformation; and the fourth, the Post-reformation to the Modern age.Needham correctly believes that Christians today can learn and profit from the lessons of the past: the battles that have already been fought, the issues that have already been debated, the leaders who have come before us, etc. And he is able to present all this information in a manner that leaves Christians excited about the great work Christ has done through His church, from the first century through to our own day.

I picked up Needham's book on a visit to England last fall. It is an excellent volume on early Church history. Written in a style that is easy to read and understand and easily holds one's interest, in my opinion it contains information every serious Christian should know but is rarely talked about. Most Christians think of Christian history only in terms of the last 500 years--since the Protestant Reformation in the 1500's. In fact, the foundations of our Christian faith were laid rather in the first 500 years of Church history, which Needham does a thorough job of presenting. I recommend it highly!