Recommended Reading

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Church History

Evangelicalism Divided by Iain Murray

 

A history of evangelicalism from 1950-2000.  It is a sobering examination of how evangelicals have often compromised the Gospel for the sake of popularity and misguided notions of unity.

Heresies by Harold O.J. Brown

 

Dr. Brown offers an outstanding tour of the major theological debates through the history of the church.  It is thorough, scholarly, but very readable.

IVP Histories by various authors

 

These short, beautifully illustrated books combine excellent scholarship and readability.  This series includes volumes on Jesus’ life and times, Augustine, The Medieval era, Luther, and others.

Jesus: Made in America by Stephen Nichols

 

Pages From Church History by Stephen Nichols

 

This is a great introduction to church history.  If you’re new to the subject and want a great read that is not overly technical this one is a great place to start.  Highly recommended!

Reformation Heroes by Joel Beeke

 

Revival and Revivalism by Iain Murray

 

Traces the history of revivalism from 1750 – 1858 and examines the impact it had and continues to have on evangelicalism.  Murray does an excellent job of differentiating between true God-sent revival and those lesser man-made events that have often times hurt the church and its witness.

Sketches From Church History by S.M. Houghton

 

An excellent illustrated introduction to church history.
Very accessible.

The Baker History of the Church by Tim Dowley (editor)

 

This is an excellent series for serious students as well as beginners (4 volumes so far).

The Reformation by Diamaid MacCullough

 

An excellent and comprehensive history of the Protestant Reformation. 

The Reformation by Stephen Nichols

 

A brief and highly accessible book.  Nichols is characteristically historical and devotional at once.  This is a great introduction to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.