The Church in History

This book is best suited for advanced middle school age and high school aged students. It is made and printed specifically for christian schools, but would work in a church environment or home education scenario. The book gives a good solid overview and has many photos and artwork throughout. If you are looking for a college textbook or majored in history, this is not the best choice for you. If using this course for highschool it should earn 1 credit. A teacher manual is not necessary and the material can be worked on alone by the student.

This book deals with some of the most dramatic episodes in church history. It relates to the modern reader, and most aptly pupils, the original existence of the church and its historical development, with its doctrinal growth, down through the proliferation of Christianity. The Post-Constantinian age is the most identifiable marker in its historical sequence, for it was in A.D.312 that the Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity. The context of Christianity changed forever, for from that time onwards, united Christendom faced very little resistance. So much so, that the fledgling post-apostolic church grew into an unrecognizable monolithic and political entity. This led to what historians would call the 'Dark Ages' throughout Europe. The next phase of sequential importance was the Reformation, with its desire to return to the New Testament church, based on the teachings of Christ and the apostles. The true church also returned to being tempered by bodily persecution. The creeds played a vital role in developing doctrinal cohesion and, as the lower-class Christians were able to read the Bible in their own languages, the truth of Christ's saving work flourished throughout the European continent. Men that God raised up from every nation who today enjoy celebrated esteem, include Huss, Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Knox - thus ensuring that its reach was missiological indeed. The Reformation was the true Enlightenment having its origin in God's directive will. Kuiper then presents the latter centuries, marked by the church's expanse into the Americas, and the birth of the human Enlightenment, accepted to be promulgated by the French Revolution. The ecclesial controversies of Calvinism/Arminianism, and their following, with accurate and enriching detail, are then addressed in this work. The summa ends circa 1950 with a brief look at how Evangelicalism has become divided by Ecumenicism. Kuiper's work has gone through 6 editions, this final one being a very attractive publication. Not complex to understand, with sufficient reference to the relevant church stages, it is a welcome contribution to church history. 'Zinzendorf favored the founding of exclusive Moravian towns where no one but a member might own real estate and where the church controlled all industrial pursuits.' pg 278

This book deals with some of the most dramatic episodes in Church history. It relates to the modern reader, and most aptly pupils, the original existence of the Church and its historical development, with its doctrinal growth, down through the proliferation of Christianity. The Post-Constantinian age is the most identifiable marker in its historical sequence, for it was in A.D.312 that the Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity. The context of Christianity changed forever, for from that time onwards, united Christendom faced very little resistance. So much so, that the fledgling post-apostolic Church grew into an unrecognizable monolithic and political entity. This led to what historians would call the 'Dark Ages' throughout Europe. The next phase of sequential importance was the Reformation, with its desire to return to the New Testament Church, based on the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. The true Church also returned to being tempered by bodily persecution. The creeds played a vital role in developing doctrinal cohesion and, as the lower-class Christians were able to read the Bible in their own languages, the truth of Christ's saving work flourished throughout the European continent. Men that God raised up from every nation who today enjoy celebrated esteem, include Huss, Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Knox - thus ensuring that its reach was missiological indeed. The Reformation was the true Enlightenment having its origin in God's directive will. Kuiper then presents the latter centuries, marked by the Church's expanse into the Americas, and the birth of the human Enlightenment, accepted to be promulgated by the French Revolution. The ecclesial controversies of Calvinism/Arminianism, and their following, with accurate and enriching detail, are then addressed in this work. The summa ends circa 1950 with a brief look at how Evangelicalism has become divided by Ecumenicism. Kuiper's work has gone through 6 editions, this final one being a very attractive publication. Not complex to understand, and with sufficient reference to the relevant Church stages, it is a welcome contribution to Church History.

There are few history books that I have found to be as accurate and interesting as this one. Kuiper helps the reader look at history through the lens of the Bible, that God's Church is screwed up, and yet will prevail blameless at Christ's return. He does have a solid reformed perspective, that I respect and agree with.This book is at the 6th grading level. It's easy to understand and very interesting. He brings the saints stories to life. The maps and timelines are very helpful. If you are interested in having a greater understanding of the church today, you must understand where it came from. History is not dead and boring, yet alive, fascinating, and applicable to the Christian.