Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries Reviews

• 
  Sarah Wolfe

  I highly recommend this small 100-page overview of the Christian church over the last two millennia to everyone.
• 
  Sarah

  I read this book because my Mom got two copies for Christmas, and gave one to me. It's a small book, so I put it in my purse to read when I was out and about with extra time on my hands.
  
  Church History 101 falls into the category of book that you need to read with a dictionary in one hand. I would recommend
  Theopedia Most of the terms that I looked up I was familiar with, but wanted to confirm that I was thinking of the correct definition. My rating would be 5 star if I had not spent so much time looking up various words.
  
  Big words aside, this was an excellent overview of Christianity from the first century to the twentieth century. Recently I heard someone say that the majority of American Christians think that Christian history begins with Billy Graham. This book is a good first step to correcting that error. Each chapter covers one century. It mentions the main characters, events, and theologies that shaped each century, as well as pointing out some overlaps between centuries.
  
  I would recommend this book to everyone, with the caveat that they may need to have a dictionary handy.
• 
  Brenda

  Very short, but a great high-level overview of church history. I borrowed the audiobook from Hoopla - the reader is excellent.
• 
  Matt Palmer

  Interested in church history but have no clue where to start?? Start here! This short little book is a great primer on church history. As you read it, you will find your interests piqued by certain topics and will be able to do further study from there.
  
  This book will also give you a sense of the wonder of the Church and give you a newfound and/or strengthened confidence in what God is doing through His church by the power of the Gospel in the midst of the struggles of the day.
• 
  Becky

  If read for what it is (an extremely brief overview), this book is a great way to establish an outline upon which to build through further study. That was my intent. It's NOT thorough, but it isn't meant to be. For me, I hoped this would be a good way to identify and prioritize specific timeframes that I'd like to study more extensively, and it served that purpose well.
• 
  Rachel Schultz

  I like this format - 20 chapters, one for every century.
• 
  Josiah Richardson

  This book is an example of time travel at mach 10 speeds. 20 centuries of church history in under 100 pages is a daunting task. Inevitably, so much is left out and the authors essentially were left highlighting an entire century in 3 pages at a time. I don't think I could have done better and I would have hated to be in the preproduction team when this one was made, having to decide what goes in and what goes out. In any event, what was included was good and what was left out is worth researching and reading about.
• 
  Humphrey Kutosi

  The authors do a great work of chronicling the workings of God through the frailties of men of like passions as you and I. Theirs is not a pretended attempt at neutrality but of a Biblical and soundly theological commentary on history. It's concise introduction to history for the uninitiated and yet a great polisher for the rusty and dusty. Heartily recommended!
• 
  Jocelyn

  J'ai lu la version française de cet ouvrage (ABC de l'histoire de l'Église) et c'est un très bon résumé de l'histoire du christianisme que je recommande vivement.
• 
  Sophie Miller

  Excellent speed read through church history! I’m in awe of the heavy-laden brevity and all it communicates. Recommend for dipping your toes in church history or for a fun, concise refresher.
• 
  Ryan Watkins

  A good brief high view introduction to church history. Recommended.
• 
  Liam

  Ok really short church history. Not particularly good. Author often gets overly ‘preachy’ in a way that just seems unnecessary.
• 
  Hobart

  This originally appeared at
  The Irresponsible Reader.
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  ... the record of church history teaches us to hold fast to Christ, assured that He is with us always, even to the end of the world. He will build up His church and kingdom to all generations.

  
  
  WHAT'S CHURCH HISTORY 101 ABOUT?
  That's the controlling idea behind this book—it's a survey of Church History—which is the story of Christ building his church. There will be highlights and lowpoints. This, and more, is sketched out in the preface—as well as a description of the book that follows.
  
  The chapters came from Ferguson's time in the pulpit. Then Beeke, Haykin and their assistants revised them for use in The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible, and then there were published as this book.
  
  APPLICATION
  Each chapter sums up a century of Church History, talking about major movements controversies and figures incredibly briefly. It's a ninety-nine page book, covering 20 Centuries—so to say the chapters are brief is an understatement. Most chapters include (not always as the concluding point) a "lesson" for application. Like:
  

  Gregory’s vision produced a kind of nominal Christianity with which the church continues to struggle to this day.

  
  

  The church should honor Gottschalk’s memory despite his human frailties. We should also continue to educate ourselves about missionaries such as Cyril and Methodius, and remember that the quest for power and recognition, demonstrated by Pope Nicholas, ultimately detracts from the mission and witness of the church.

  
  

  Today we must see that the church exists to bring light to the world, and we must be willing to separate earthly power and gain from the mission of the church. The church accomplishes her mission by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by the might of kings or political leaders.

  
  I get these came from a Study Bible, and those tend to be very object lesson-oriented, but I'm not sure it's all that helpful (or necessary) in this context.
  
  SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT CHURCH HISTORY 101?
  I think I read something wrong about the length—I knew it was a brief survey, but I didn't expect it to be so brief that I finished it in under 90 minutes.
  
  But, for a quick, very surface-level look at 2,000 years of History? This is good—it focuses on the essentials, it helps orients the reader to what matters—and hopefully ignites someone's interest in diving deeper into a person, period, or movement mentioned in these pages.
  
  I enjoyed it, I appreciate what it tried to do, I wish it had done more, but that would've defeated the purpose, I guess.
  
  I do recommend this for anyone Junior High and up for a solid overview, a refresher, or a nice way to spend an hour or so. It won't change your life, but for those who don't need the introduction, it will serve as a reminder that Christ is building His Church and what that looks like.
• 
  Glenn Crouch

  This is probably the smallest book that covers the 20 Centuries of Church History - and is a pretty good intro to the topic. This is easy to read and devotes a chapter to each Century. Given the size of the book, many (many, many,...) people and topics are left out - but it is a good place to start for an overview of Church History, which will hopefully develop a hunger for more.
  
  The only minor criticism is that the Reformed Theological view is portrayed at times as the "correct" Christian view - and as a Lutheran Pastor I would disagree ;-) However the book does a fair (though as mentioned brief) coverage of Luther.
  
  I think today that society (and not just Christians) are very ignorant of History, and books like this are definitely needed.
• 
  John

  This is a very brief overview of some of the most important people and events in church history. Each "chapter" is only a few pages long. There is almost no depth to the book at all. But it does serve the purpose of giving a sense of what was happening in the church during that century.
  
  If that is of interest to you, it is worth your time and money, but the value of this book is quite limited.
• 
  Noah Calcagno

  A brief overview of the major events of every century. An interesting read, but not exhaustive by any means.
• 
  Brenton

  Highlights by century within the church.
• 
  Allen Mandap

  Crash course for church history! Great starting place.
• 
  Phil

  Great! I liked that some encouragement for today's church was included.
• 
  Lewis

  Wonderful and consise. I love the personal tone. It keeps the book far from dry and invites the reader to give all the glory of history to God. Ferguson is phenomenal at this.
• 
  Sara

  The authors did an outstanding job on this concise little church history narrative. Organized by century. Gives a very helpful bird's-eye view of God's work in His church over time. Definitely recommended!
• 
  Charlie

  Simple, accurate, easy to understand, and enjoyable.
• 
  Lisa DiG

  Short but sweet: Very interesting and brief overview of church history. How he addresses the crusades was of special interest. He seems to touch on all the ins and outs of church history with great acumen. Great book for beginner church history enthusiast!
• 
  T. R.

  This booklet gives a quick overview of Church history. If you are completely unfamiliar with church history, I think this booklet can help you get your feet wet. There are a lot of terms that get brought up, heresies the Church had to deal with. It’s not as in-depth as I had hoped, but that was moreso my error. The last Church history book I went over was extremely in-depth, so this booklet was refreshing compared to that.
• 
  Barbier Jacky

  Excellent ouvrage qui décrit de manière concise les grands moments marquants de l'Histoire de l'Eglise. A recommander pour ceux qui veulent un survol captivant !
• 
  Corby H

  I love history. When I learned how to read, I gained the ability to enter the past, and I was instantly hooked. The only thing between me and the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome was my library card. Firsthand accounts of storming Vimy Ridge or exploring the tragedy and wreckage of the RMS Titanic were in my grasp, literally. Many individuals, cultures, and events that have shaped our world have captivated me and much of my knowledge of the past has been absorbed through having my nose in a book.
  
  So, why do I begin this review with a brief description of my love for history? Because, as a Christian who loves history there is, regrettably, a noticeable omission. I did not read nor see the benefit of learning church history until much later in life. It’s not that I wasn't interested in it, rather it was that I was never introduced to it. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Like many other Christians, I loved the church, but didn't know the story of God's faithfulness towards her. Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation like I was in a few years ago; You would like to know about Christ's church throughout the centuries, but you just don't know where to start or you simply do not have the time. Well, this short volume that Ferguson and Beeke have written addresses those hurdles and turns out to be a wonderful place to begin.
  
  In just under 100 pages the authors manage to take the reader through 2000 years of church history. They are able to accomplish this by employing brevity and intentionality. Every century receives its own chapter roughly 4 or 5 pages in length. At this breakneck speed you don't get bogged down with the minutiae of theological controversies, or the political schemes of popes. However, you do get the important highlights; people and places God used to shaped the church and the world around her. You're introduced to people like Polycarp, Gregory the Great, and Calvin, and locations such as Constantinople, Avignon, and Kiev. Not much detail is written about these key figures and places, but just enough to awaken your curiosity which will, perhaps, lead to you pursuing a deeper study.
  
  The story of Christ's church is riveting. And the way that it is presented in this little publication you will come to see that. But more important than being riveting, the story of Christ's church is a witness to the steadfast love of God. This book makes sure that point is hammered home.
  In closing, I want to highlight the importance of church history. The church has endured so much at the hands of the world and even by those in her pale. But she is supported by the unfailing promises of her saviour. For us saints who are still on our pilgrim way it would do us good to know how she navigated the waters of persecution as well as privilege, realities different regions of the church are still experiencing even today. So, for its concise presentation of 2000 years of history, and its pastoral intent, I would recommend "Church History 101" to anyone wanting to begin their survey of church history.