Church History
Book Reviews by
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Fred G. Zaspel
Forerunner of the Great Awakening: Sermons by Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691-1747) edited by Joel Beeke (Eerdmans)
Until receiving this book I knew virtually nothing about Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen, and for me the historical introduction by Joel Beeke was worth the price all by itself. To see how God used this bold, controversial servant as a channel of grace to many and to see how he became in providence the forerunner of the Great Awakening was both historically enlightening and spiritually stimulating. His discontentment with dead orthodoxy serves as a challenge to believers of every age, and his commitment to truth and his passion for the souls of men and women serve as a model and an inspiration for preachers today. His sermons are direct and searching and carefully faithful to the text of Scripture. We have much we can learn from Frelinghuysen. Very good reading.
A Call for Continuity: The Theological Contribution of James Orr by Glen Scorgie (Mercer University Press)
Scorgie has filled a gap in providing this excellent biography of the popular 19th- and early 20th-century theologian-apologist James Orr (1844-1913), who is perhaps best known today because of his enduring five-volume International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. His work surveys Orr's life and theological career from its most academic controversies to his most populist appeals. The book is well written and well documented and easily accessible -- the book to read on the subject. A captivating account.
Professor Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, D.D., LL.D., Litt.D.: Princeton Poise and Power by S. Burkhart Gilbreath. Shippensburg, PA: Beidel Printing House, 1996.
This book is unspeakably bad. It would be better titled, "Miscellaneous People and Events: Selected Scatterings of Irrelevant Historical Data." In its more than 400 pages the book gives perhaps a dozen or so pages worth of information about Warfield. The rest of the book is filled primarily with information that is perfectly useless and irrelevant to the study and with the author's various odd theological views (such as British Israelism). The title of the book is misleading – it really has very little to do with Warfield. What's more, the author is clearly not well acquainted with Warfield's writings and has no real awareness of the various issues he addressed. I am too embarrassed to admit how much I – in high hopes – paid for the book. I cannot imagine who could profit by reading it, but it certainly would not be one who is interested in Warfield or Princeton studies.
General Works
Church History: An Introduction to Research, Reference Works, and Methods by James E. Bradley and Richard A. Muller (Eerdmans)
This book is not a book on the history of the church as such but on the research of church history. As such it is not for the average reader but an absolute must for the advanced research student. Anyone involved in Th.M. or Ph.D. research in church history or historical theology or even theology itself will profit immeasurably from this book. Bradley and Muller have made a genuine contribution for students and have done a great service in passing along a wealth of information and suggestions regarding everything from the choice of research topic and the research process to writing the dissertation and revising it for later publication to turning the research into classroom lectures. It is the kind of helpful advice that should be given to all advanced students and which all serious research students will greatly appreciate.
Ten Great Ideas from Church History, by Mark Shaw (InterVarsity Press). What a great idea this book is (no pun intended)! Shaw (author of Doing Theology with Huck & Jim, also from IVP) has set out in this book to actually teach us something by means of Church history – and he does a good job of it. Much more than a relating of the facts and events of history, this book seeks to provide solid instruction for Christian thinking and Christian growth – all learned from men and events of the past. Shaw provides nothing new – in fact, he doesn't want to! Too much of what is new in church and individual Christian life is too new – unconnected either to the Scriptures or even our rich and instructive Christian heritage. "Ideas that have stood the test of time" are ideas with which the modern Christian desperately needs reacquaintance. Here are some sample chapter headings:"A Vision for Truth: Luther's Theology of the Cross"
"A Vision for Spirituality: Calvin on the Christian Life"
"A Vision for Assurance: William Perkins' Model of Conversion & Assurance"
"A Vision for Renewal: Jonathan Edwards' Theology of Revival"
"A Vision for the Lost: William Carey's Model of Mission."This is church history reading with a purpose: we should not only learn our history – we must learn from it. Highly recommended.
Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark Noll (Baker / IVP)
In this well-written and well-thought-out book Noll provides a delightful overview of the history of the Christian church. He isolates twelve "turning points" -- decisive moments of history which had lasting impact. Of course, narrowing this down to twelve is a feat in itself. Noll recognizes this problem and "stretches" some of the chapters to include relevant historical data from either side of the event in question. In doing so he has provided a good overview of the last 2,000 years and shows how we have arrived where we are today. Each chapter begins with a hymn and ends with a prayer from the time period in view. And each event is treated both "on its own" and in relation to its bearing on subsequent history. A very informative as well as enjoyable read.Of the several dictionaries of Church history that are available today, J. D. Douglas' The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church: Revised Edition (Zondervan) is perhaps the most helpful. In-depth studies will have to be gained elsewhere. This work is designed to provide brief sketches of significant personalities, movements, and issues of Christian history, and as such it is a valuable resource. All the major players and most of the minors, both good and bad, appear here – even the Devil receives his due! Virtually any subject, movement, or personality of any consequence in the history of the church receives brief attention – Sunday, Sublapsarianism, Savanarola, Saturninus, Plotinus, Plymouth Brethren, Perkins, Pietism, Pilgrimages, Persecutions, Peter, Paul, Mary, Mariology, Mariolatry, Nietzsche, Ninety-Five Theses, Calvinism, Calvinistic Methodism, Campus Crusade, Canada, Canon, and on and on it goes. A virtual treasure of information and a very good resource.
In fairness here I should mention also A Dictionary of Christian Biography by Henry Wace and William Piercy (Hendrickson). It is newer (1994) and seems as thorough, but I just haven't spent any time in it myself to say much more about it than that.
Dictionary of Christianity in America edited by Daniel Reid (IVP)
"America" broadly defined, that is. The focus is the continental US, but for the sake of completeness the editors occasionally (and wisely) reach over into Canada and elsewhere. A very good resource -- a gold mine of historical information. Very, very good.
A Dictionary of Early Christian Biography by Henry Wace & William Piercy, editors (Hendrickson)
A reference guide to over 800 Christian men and women, heretics, and sects of the first six centuries. An extremely valuable resource.
A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, David Bercot, editor (Hendrickson Publishers, 1998), 720 pages, $34.95
Wow. What a gold mine of historical information this book is! I'll confess – I can't say (honestly, at least) that I have enjoyed reading the early church fathers. But often in research I have wished I could find quickly what many of them had to say on a given topic. This book is that. As the subtitle states, "A Reference Guide to More Than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers." Choose a topic – say, Angels or Baptism or Divorce or Free Will and Predestination or Images or Scriptures or Typology – and read many quotations (generally each a paragraph or so in length) from many of the early fathers, all listed in chronological order with sources and dates. Talk about a time saver! Yes, if you want the full context of the discussion, beyond the immediate paragraph, you still have to go to "the horse's mouth." But now that is all easy to find too. This book is a true contribution to historical studies. Highly recommended. (I only hope it will become available in electronic format, so it can be readily available online in my computer!)
Handbook of Evangelical Theologians by Walter Elwell (Baker Books)
Face it, there is a great value in having some acquaintance with the major players on the field today, and you'll not likely gain that acquaintance any easier than with this book. This Handbook consists of a series of more than 30 articles about prominent theologians from various traditions of the past century and a half. The articles themselves, many by men who themselves could or should have been included in the book, provide a concise biographical sketches and explanations of the theological distinctives (or idiosyncrasies!) of the various men in view – Orr, Warfield, Chafer, Berkhof, Packer, Ramm, Henry, Clark, etc. You may not need this if you are widely enough read yourself, but not very many are this well read. And to have a reliable general acquaintance with a theologian as you read him (or read him cited by others) is an advantage indeed. Very good reading. Recommended.Historical Theology by Alister McGrath (Blackwell Publishers, 1998)
A gold mine, that's all. Just a gold mine. A most enjoyable overview of historical theology. Notes on historical matters are succinct, and treatments of the various theological emphases are simple, clear, and relatively comprehensive -- as much as an introductory work can be expected to be. Each section (Patristic, Middle Ages, Reformation and Post Reformation, and Modern) has two divisions -- historical overview and case studies of specific theological issues. McGrath shows himself well-read, and this book brings a wealth of information to the student's quick and easy grasp. Very good. Highly recommended.
The Legacy of Sovereign Joy by John Piper (Crossway Books)
The first in a series ("The Swans are Not Silent") of biographical studies in the lives and experiences of believers of earlier years. This volume begins well with studies in Augustine, Luther, and Calvin. Learning from the lives of God's people from the past is particularly effective in our own spiritual advancement, and these studies serve well as models of Christian biographical devotion. Piper, always a theologian of the heart, culls important lessons from these famous saints and teaches us to live with them with a passion to experience God in our own lives.
Who's Who in Church History? edited by J. D. Douglas & W. Comfort (Tyndale House)
Just what it says – very good biographical sketches of all the major (and many minor) players in Christian history.
Comprehensive Church History BooksSeveral good comprehensive Church History works are available, and they all vary in strong points. Schaff's History of the Christian Church is of course the standard, but few will be willing to work through a multi-volume set (available now also on the extremely valuable Theological Journal CD from Galaxie Software (see my Software Reviews). But for a good "crunched" version Earle E. Cairns' Christianity Through the Centuries (Zondervan) provides a very good alternative. Cairns was the first Church History text I ever read (seminary), and I recall that the learning experience was an enjoyable one – but that wasn't hard to accomplish for me: I love church history! It is more a textbook than a story approach, but it is a standard text in many schools and deserves to be. It is thorough and reliable.
Simpler and perhaps more enjoyable reading and almost as thorough is Bruce Shelly, Church History in Plain Language (Word Books). This reads as an ever-developing story of Christianity, and most will find it pleasant as well as informative.
For younger readers The Church in History by B. K. Kuiper (Eerdmans) may well be the best choice. Easy reading and relatively thorough, it provides a very good overview for anyone (I would guess) Junior High age and up.
Perhaps most enjoyable, although less thorough, is S. M. Houghton's Sketches From Church History (Banner of Truth). Houghton loves his subject – it is both evident and contagious! Even the sub-title shows his viewpoint: An Illustrated Account of 20 Centuries of Christ's Power. You will find this book both informative and exciting – something which should characterize every book on this great subject. Perhaps the best – and surely the most enjoyable – concise overview of church history available. Highly recommended.
The Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History by John Hannah (Kregel)
A clear, concise, and enjoyable overview of the history of the church by a highly respected historian. Brief and helpful articles on each successive stage of the church's history. A brief yet most helpful first introduction.
Reformation
Reformation Thought: An Introduction by Alister McGrath (Blackwell Publishers, 1988)
The Reformation was not a mere social revolt; it was a movement driven by ideas. What these ideas were and how they played out in the Reformation and its aftermath is the subject of this book. McGrath's work seeks to "introduce, explain, and contextualize" these ideas for us, and he does an excellent job of it. By the nature of the discussion, not all will agree with some of his conclusions (for example on the "Calvinism" of John Calvin); but not many books better or more clearly introduce these ideas within the context of the expositions of the Reformers themselves -- justification, predestination, Scripture, sacraments, church, government. Compared to Timothy George? Well, I enjoyed George more and recommend it more highly, but McGrath's work is good, broader (including such topics as the thinking of medieval scholasticism), and well worth the effort.For popular yet accurate and relatively thorough presentation of the Protestant Reformation I still have read nothing better than Roland Bainton's famous The Reformation of the Sixteenth Century (Beacon Press). The book is I think out of print, but it is easily obtainable from used book dealers. Bainton, the author of the classic biography of Martin Luther, Here I Stand, has provided an excellent portrayal of the major movements, personalities, issues, and spread of the Reformation. From Luther to Anabaptism to Calvin to Zwingli, from Wittenburg to Geneva to London and to Rome, from sola Scriptura to sola fide and sola gratia and soli deo gloria, Bainton presents an exciting and comprehensive yet relatively concise overview of this most important chapter of Christian history. Highly recommended.
The Theology of the Reformers by Timothy George (Broadman Press)
Well, I love Reformation history anyway, I confess. But it's only because the story is such an exciting one. There are few more enjoyable (fun) ways to learn theology than to see it worked out in the experience of our Christian forebears. And I've not read much that I've enjoyed more than this volume by Timothy George. Just the section of chapter 3 on Luther and Justification is worth the price of the book. And more than enjoyable, we desperately need today to be reacquainted with the Reformers and their theology. No, of course we all do not agree with all they taught; but their areas of emphasis have much to offer us today, and this book (while it does assume some degree of acquaintance with Reformation history) is a great place to start. Highly recommended.
The Great Reformation by R. Tudor Jones (IVP, 1985)
Well, I love Reformation history, and so I started out biased. But you can still trust me: this is a good book. This wide-ranging survey of the beginnings of Protestantism is very helpful, clear, well-written, and enjoyable reading. It is broad and concise enough to serve as a basic introduction to the study, yet thorough enough to leave you with a good handle on all the primary issues and players. An excellent overview of this amazing period of gospel history. Lots of fun reading. Highly recommended.
Puritanism
The Genius of Puritanism by Peter Lewis
This is probably the best introduction to Puritanism you will find. Originally published by Moody Press and now by Soli Deo Gloria, this is a marvelous introduction to the Puritans and their writings and pastoral work. Lewis deals with the Puritans as counselors, pastors, theologians, and in private. Highly recommended
Puritan Papers: Volume One edited by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (P&R)
A welcome republication of the papers of "The Puritan Conferences" held at Westminster Chapel in London under the sponsorship of Lloyd-Jones. At these annual conferences papers were read by leading Puritan scholars -- J. I. Packer, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, E. F. Kevan, Ian Murray, to name a few. The papers cover a broad range of topics of Puritan concern and consistently provide a satisfying read. A very good introduction to the Puritans.
Who Are the Puritans? by Erroll Hulse (EP)
A very nice new introduction to the Puritans. Hulse writes well and clearly to examine the history, personalities, and theology of the Puritans. The history of the Puritan era is concise, as are the biographical sketches of the major personalities and theological contributions. A very, very helpful overview. Highly recommended.
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