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Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church
The third edition of Christianity Through the Centuries brings the reader up-to-date by discussing events and developments in the church into the 1990s. This edition has been redesigned with new typography and greatly improved graphics to increase clarity, accessibility, and usefulness. - New chapters examine recent trends and developments (expanding the last section from...more
Hardcover, 507 pages
Published
June 1st 1981
by Zondervan Publishing Company
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I had read most of this book for a seminary class and I picked it up recently to finish it. It is a bit outdated book published in 1996 in its third revision, but it still has insight as it looks at the history of the church. Moreover, it is interesting to read about its views of the direction of the church, its current/future problems etc. It does help to have that perspective. This book isn't as in depth or well written as say Roger Olsen's book on church history (which I read for the same cla...more
In this book Dr. Cairns has skillfully crafted a brilliant and accessible survey of the history of the Christian Church from it's inception all the way up to the present day (latest ed. 1996). His writing is engaging, helpful, and honest.
Obviously with a survey book, no one can include all the details of any significant person, event, or movement. But Dr. Cairns does a wonderful job (as any historian would do) of selecting which things to include and which things the reader can do without.
The bo...more
Obviously with a survey book, no one can include all the details of any significant person, event, or movement. But Dr. Cairns does a wonderful job (as any historian would do) of selecting which things to include and which things the reader can do without.
The bo...more
Aug 22, 2007
Chad
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people interested in church history
This being a general overview of church history from the time of Acts to "present day", (mid 1990's), it is not a good read if one is looking for detailed accouts of any given movement or event during the covered timespan. The book does give the reader the basic flow of the church's origins, to the height of papal power, the reformation, the expansion into the new world, and why the church is the way it is today. The final chapters are some persoanl conclusions of where the chruch is headed both...more
This was a helpful overview of the church history of the last two thousand years in textbook format. I appreciate the book recommendations that are scattered throughout the book for further study. The author comes from a reformed-evangelical perspective, which I appreciate, although he is also sympathetic to premillennialism and egalitarianism, which I don't appreciate. But over all, I have a better understanding of Christian history as a whole and a greater recognition of my smallness in the wh...more
This was just a great, great exposition of church history. It's not as detailed as it can be, but I'm afraid if it were more detailed it would be over the top. This is a great book to read along side "Turning Points" by Noll. If you're interested in church history, you ought to give this one your shelf space.
This is the classic! Highly recommended. I found myself relying heavily on this book to look up details that other books might hint at. I found the layout a bit challenging at times. But the index helped to make up for this. Some events are covered in multiple chapters but with a different focus for each. They were not "inconsistent" but just not holistic. This would require me to jump around to gain a complete picture of some events.
The book has great charts, good writing and has been updated t...more
The book has great charts, good writing and has been updated t...more
Aug 21, 2012
Brian Kelly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-theology
I love Church history books. This is the best one I've read. Great information, very well presented and easy to follow & remember
College level overview of the history of the church. Written in an easy style. Really good for a quick reference near the desk.
Apr 03, 2013
Eddy Allen
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arts-and-historical
Thsi respected, well-known, comprehensive resource has established itself as a classic on church history. Cairns looks for the glory of God in the total process, conveying the issues that have divided the church and also affirming that the church of Jesus Christ is basically one.
Good overview of the history of the church.
A great overview of the church since the time of Christ. Truly only touches the surface, but provides the highlights as well as analysis as to what the various moves of the church has meant. You will definitely want to delve into some of the topics in more depth through other sources. Very interesting history when looking at today’s debate about the separation of church and state. It truly puts the issue in perspective when you see what those who came to America were running away from where a tr...more
Kinda boring.
I have read this book from the reformation forward and something about it never really sat right with me. I just chalked it up to it feeling too much like a text book, which I hate. This book came up in conversation with a friend the other day and he helped me realize that this is terrible writing, and after a second review, I realized that this was what was bothering me before. Cairns writing is just not good. There are other histories the read better and don't feel like a text book.
A really good read if you like history, want to see how Christianity is woven in history (councils, leaders, denominational offshoots, etc.). Cairns is not deep, but moves quickly through out this book but provides the essential information at each stage of history. Good for High School history classes.
Talbot Course: Reformation and Modern Theology
A solid look at the history of Christianity. It reads like a history textbook because it is one.
A solid look at the history of Christianity. It reads like a history textbook because it is one.
Didn't have to read it all and probably never will. It is very dry but very concise. Good book to reference in the future.
Thorough! Great Information!
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