Sketches from Church History

Have read this book a few times and always get something out of it that I missed the first time.A good book for the average person to read to get a glimpse of church history...very interesting comments made about Islam especially with the present climate regarding that faith....and eye opener to read that Islam was used to bring discipline on the church. I would recommend to anyone that would like to know how the church has been, from the beginning, on through the Crusades, the Reformation, the split in the church between the East and West up to the time of Spurgeon. Interesting also to know a little of the history of the Baptists, the reformers, the Methodists and also the persecution of the church down through the ages. All in all, a very informative and easy to read book on our faith.

I've found this book to be the best summary of church history I've ever used, not only because it is concise, but because it is written as story, and is therefore interesting. Excellent scholarship combined with a gift of the use of language, and church history becomes a living thing. The copious illustrations add immensely to the value of the book as well.

S.M. Houghton's book on church history was a book that was first given to me while I was in college. I skeemed through it but found it to be boring. My reading was very limited back then. But after picking up this book again and reading it afresh these many years later, I found Dr. Houghton's work to be a great understanding of church history. Dr. Houghton takes his reader from the foundation of the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ at Pentecost (Acts 2) to the early 20th century. He shows the ups and downs of Church history from the corruption of the Church by the Roman Catholic Church to the Reformation under Martin Luther. He has particular focus on the Puritans and their influences on the Church in America. The book has a negative view of Arminians (with the exception of John and Charles Wesley) but the reader must make their own opinions about these matters. For those desiring a Reformed, Evangelical view of Church History you will find this book a wonderful resource. A must read for true disciples.