What do you think?
Rate this book
In the Year of Our Lord: Reflections on Twenty Centuries of Church History
The story of the church is important for Christians to know, for it contains rich and uplifting stories of God’s dealings with His people. Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson takes the reader on a tour of the Christian history, featuring stories and songs to give believers a sense of their place in God’s kingdom and to encourage them in their walk.
7 hrs. 32 min.
7 hrs. 32 min.
229 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
122 people are currently reading
902 people want to read
About the author
Sinclair B. Ferguson
218 books560 followersSinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
February 22, 2023
Brief, encouraging overview of church history century by century with each chapter ending with a hymn from the century.
“Lo, I am with you always. Even to the end of the world.”
“Lo, I am with you always. Even to the end of the world.”
April 25, 2022
I really appreciated Ferguson’s balanced approach in this book. He's certainly writing from a Reformed perspective (not to mention Scottish ;) ), but he doesn't skip over the medieval church (like another book I'm reading with my kids), and is quick to point out things we can learn from them, despite doctrinal differences. I loved that he included a hymn from each century at the end of each chapter (except the 20th century, hmm...), and I loved hearing him read it in his lovely Scottish accent. Definitely one I want my high schoolers to read/listen to. :)
September 25, 2018
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
The seeds of this book were first published in a book Ferguson co-authored called, Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries -- he's now taken those chapters, done more research (being retired has freed up some time for him to do some reading), and expanded that into this great survey of Church History.
After a stirring (yes, really) introduction that lays out the purpose of this volume, why the study of Church History is important and what can be gained from even the figures from Church History that may disagree with -- Ferguson dives in to his survey. I really can't say enough good about this introduction -- which feels odd, that's not supposed to be the best part of a book (and it isn't, actually -- but it's good enough that it really could be). The body of the book is twenty chapters -- in case you couldn't guess, that's one chapter for each completed century Anno Domini (and Ferguson is committed to the usage of that).
Each chapter starts with an excerpt from a noted piece of writing from the century in question -- like The Martyrdom of Polycarp, On the Incarnation, Gottschalk;s Shorter Confession concerning Double Predestination, and Savonarola's The Triumph of the Cross (noted, not necessarily commonly known, obviously). Following that Ferguson summarizes the events of that century -- focusing on particular figures or movements that stand out. Most of these will be at least familiar to the reader by name, if not for activities and attributes. Then he closes the chapter with some words of application to the contemporary Church and a hymn from that century -- most of those hymns I was totally unfamiliar with, and am so glad I was exposed to them.
The core of the chapters, the history of that century -- as summarized as it may be -- is so helpful. I've taken classes covering a lot of those chapters -- and read enough on my own that I was pretty familiar with the material covered. But I learned something about even those eras and individuals I've studied extensively -- maybe not a lot, but enough to justify the time. And even those things that were primarily review for me were well worth reading -- the story of our family is one we should hear over and over again and this book is a prime example of what we need to hear.
But what about those who haven't taken the classes, or haven't had that much exposure to Church History outside of the last century -- or maybe the first couple of centuries? This book is even better for them. It's primarily intended as an introduction to Church History, and it excels at being one. First of all, it gives you the good bird's eye view from the day after the last chapter of Acts to the present. Which is a perspective that's all too easy to lose in the details -- we've got to see the forest. But the trees are also important -- and Ferguson gives enough detail (while remembering that these are brief summary chapters) that the reader can get a handle on a particular century and learn enough that they can pursue what they're interested in. I know from reading that Celtic monasticism is something that I want to read more about (and not just by rereading Thomas Cahill), but that there are other things from that period that don't spark my interest in the same way. Some people will react that way to Gregory I or Thomas Chalmers or something else -- and Ferguson has provided the reader with enough to start on to feel comfortable pursuing that interest.
Whether for review or as an introduction -- the meat of this book is just what the doctor ordered.
Even if the history wasn't that helpful, Ferguson's application and the hymn made the book worthwhile. Sometimes that application is comforting, sometimes it's challenging -- it's always helpful. And the bonus of having that hymn? That's a wonderful, devotional way to bring history to life -- that's the same Lord, the same faith being proclaimed in these words. Loved that. Starting the chapters with a doctrinally rich (if occasionally problematic) excerpt reminds us that our faith is first and foremost about truth, about ideas -- but those find expression in the heart and life of the believer -- as seen in the hymns.
Yes, it's a weakness that this book focuses on the Western Church -- particularly that represented in the English, Scottish and American branches. Ferguson admits that at the beginning, but that's his tradition, that's his background -- and that's the background for most of his, readers, too -- so it's what's most relevant. To go beyond that would result in a tome unwieldy and not that handy for his audience (as great as it would be to see).
The structure of head (excerpt), life (history) and heart (hymn) is a fantastic outline for this book -- and everything hung on that outline is clearly-written, helpful to the Christian and relevant (if only to say "don't be like that.") Ferguson knocked it out of the park with this one, and I can't recommended it highly enough. Great for personal use, family devotion, Sunday Schools, Home Schools -- you name it, there's someone who can benefit from this book.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Reformation Trust Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for this post -- thanks to both for this.
---
The seeds of this book were first published in a book Ferguson co-authored called, Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries -- he's now taken those chapters, done more research (being retired has freed up some time for him to do some reading), and expanded that into this great survey of Church History.
After a stirring (yes, really) introduction that lays out the purpose of this volume, why the study of Church History is important and what can be gained from even the figures from Church History that may disagree with -- Ferguson dives in to his survey. I really can't say enough good about this introduction -- which feels odd, that's not supposed to be the best part of a book (and it isn't, actually -- but it's good enough that it really could be). The body of the book is twenty chapters -- in case you couldn't guess, that's one chapter for each completed century Anno Domini (and Ferguson is committed to the usage of that).
Each chapter starts with an excerpt from a noted piece of writing from the century in question -- like The Martyrdom of Polycarp, On the Incarnation, Gottschalk;s Shorter Confession concerning Double Predestination, and Savonarola's The Triumph of the Cross (noted, not necessarily commonly known, obviously). Following that Ferguson summarizes the events of that century -- focusing on particular figures or movements that stand out. Most of these will be at least familiar to the reader by name, if not for activities and attributes. Then he closes the chapter with some words of application to the contemporary Church and a hymn from that century -- most of those hymns I was totally unfamiliar with, and am so glad I was exposed to them.
The core of the chapters, the history of that century -- as summarized as it may be -- is so helpful. I've taken classes covering a lot of those chapters -- and read enough on my own that I was pretty familiar with the material covered. But I learned something about even those eras and individuals I've studied extensively -- maybe not a lot, but enough to justify the time. And even those things that were primarily review for me were well worth reading -- the story of our family is one we should hear over and over again and this book is a prime example of what we need to hear.
But what about those who haven't taken the classes, or haven't had that much exposure to Church History outside of the last century -- or maybe the first couple of centuries? This book is even better for them. It's primarily intended as an introduction to Church History, and it excels at being one. First of all, it gives you the good bird's eye view from the day after the last chapter of Acts to the present. Which is a perspective that's all too easy to lose in the details -- we've got to see the forest. But the trees are also important -- and Ferguson gives enough detail (while remembering that these are brief summary chapters) that the reader can get a handle on a particular century and learn enough that they can pursue what they're interested in. I know from reading that Celtic monasticism is something that I want to read more about (and not just by rereading Thomas Cahill), but that there are other things from that period that don't spark my interest in the same way. Some people will react that way to Gregory I or Thomas Chalmers or something else -- and Ferguson has provided the reader with enough to start on to feel comfortable pursuing that interest.
Whether for review or as an introduction -- the meat of this book is just what the doctor ordered.
Even if the history wasn't that helpful, Ferguson's application and the hymn made the book worthwhile. Sometimes that application is comforting, sometimes it's challenging -- it's always helpful. And the bonus of having that hymn? That's a wonderful, devotional way to bring history to life -- that's the same Lord, the same faith being proclaimed in these words. Loved that. Starting the chapters with a doctrinally rich (if occasionally problematic) excerpt reminds us that our faith is first and foremost about truth, about ideas -- but those find expression in the heart and life of the believer -- as seen in the hymns.
Yes, it's a weakness that this book focuses on the Western Church -- particularly that represented in the English, Scottish and American branches. Ferguson admits that at the beginning, but that's his tradition, that's his background -- and that's the background for most of his, readers, too -- so it's what's most relevant. To go beyond that would result in a tome unwieldy and not that handy for his audience (as great as it would be to see).
The structure of head (excerpt), life (history) and heart (hymn) is a fantastic outline for this book -- and everything hung on that outline is clearly-written, helpful to the Christian and relevant (if only to say "don't be like that.") Ferguson knocked it out of the park with this one, and I can't recommended it highly enough. Great for personal use, family devotion, Sunday Schools, Home Schools -- you name it, there's someone who can benefit from this book.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Reformation Trust Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for this post -- thanks to both for this.
July 1, 2024
Rounding up to 4 stars
This book’s format is broad in scope but necessarily limited in depth. I’m not sure whether it works better as an introduction to the 2000-year history of the church or as a quick refresher course on the highlights.
Each chapter opens with an excerpt from a work written during that particular century, then provides a historical overview along with mini-biographies of a few relevant Christians, and then closes with a hymn from the era.
It’s a fairly brisk run through the pertinent events and people, but I won’t pretend that I didn’t learn anything here. Items which were new to me:
- The history of the introduction of Christianity to Scotland through the work of Ninian and Columba
- The Sigan-Fu Stone discovered in northwest China in 1623, was made in 781 and recorded the establishment of the Christian church in China when the missionary A-lo-pen arrived from Syria around 630.
- Ferguson’s explanation of the reasons behind the Great Schism of 1054 was very helpful.
- Gottschalk was totally unfamiliar to me
Here’s the contents and the historical figures discussed:
1. The First Century: The Early Growth of the Church
2. The Second Century: Troubles Inside and Outside (Polycarp)
3. The Third Century: The Apologists (Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Origen)
4. The Fourth Century: A Momentous Time (Antony, Constantine, Council of Nicaea, Augustine, Athanasius)
5. The Fifth Century: God's Sovereignty over All (Pelagius, St Patrick)
6. The Sixth Century: Christianity in Scotland (Ninian, Columba)
7. The Seventh Century: Gregory and Muhammad (Gregory the Great)
8. The Eighth Century: Disputes over Images (Boniface, A-lo-pen)
9. The Ninth Century: Conflict and Sacrifice (Cyril & Methodius, Gottschalk)
10. The Tenth Century: A Dark Time
11. The Eleventh Century: Schism, Anselm, and the Crusades (Anselm of Canterbury)
12. The Twelfth Century: Theological Developments (Peter Abelard, Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter Lombard)
13. The Thirteenth Century: Francis and Thomas (St Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas)
14. The Fourteenth Century: Forerunners of the Reformation (John Wycliffe, Jan Hus)
15. The Fifteenth Century: Setting the Stage (Savonarola, the Renaissance)
16. The Sixteenth Century: Luther's Discovery (Martin Luther)
17. The Seventeenth Century: The Puritans (Wm Perkins, John Owen)
18. The Eighteenth Century: Revolutions and Revival (Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, George Whitefield, John Newton, Wm Carey)
19. The Nineteenth Century: A Time of Contrasts (Friedrich Schleiermacher, Wm Wilberforce, The M’Cheyne Circle, Charles Spurgeon)
20. The Twentieth Century: Hope
This book’s format is broad in scope but necessarily limited in depth. I’m not sure whether it works better as an introduction to the 2000-year history of the church or as a quick refresher course on the highlights.
Each chapter opens with an excerpt from a work written during that particular century, then provides a historical overview along with mini-biographies of a few relevant Christians, and then closes with a hymn from the era.
It’s a fairly brisk run through the pertinent events and people, but I won’t pretend that I didn’t learn anything here. Items which were new to me:
- The history of the introduction of Christianity to Scotland through the work of Ninian and Columba
- The Sigan-Fu Stone discovered in northwest China in 1623, was made in 781 and recorded the establishment of the Christian church in China when the missionary A-lo-pen arrived from Syria around 630.
- Ferguson’s explanation of the reasons behind the Great Schism of 1054 was very helpful.
- Gottschalk was totally unfamiliar to me
Here’s the contents and the historical figures discussed:
1. The First Century: The Early Growth of the Church
2. The Second Century: Troubles Inside and Outside (Polycarp)
3. The Third Century: The Apologists (Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Origen)
4. The Fourth Century: A Momentous Time (Antony, Constantine, Council of Nicaea, Augustine, Athanasius)
5. The Fifth Century: God's Sovereignty over All (Pelagius, St Patrick)
6. The Sixth Century: Christianity in Scotland (Ninian, Columba)
7. The Seventh Century: Gregory and Muhammad (Gregory the Great)
8. The Eighth Century: Disputes over Images (Boniface, A-lo-pen)
9. The Ninth Century: Conflict and Sacrifice (Cyril & Methodius, Gottschalk)
10. The Tenth Century: A Dark Time
11. The Eleventh Century: Schism, Anselm, and the Crusades (Anselm of Canterbury)
12. The Twelfth Century: Theological Developments (Peter Abelard, Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter Lombard)
13. The Thirteenth Century: Francis and Thomas (St Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas)
14. The Fourteenth Century: Forerunners of the Reformation (John Wycliffe, Jan Hus)
15. The Fifteenth Century: Setting the Stage (Savonarola, the Renaissance)
16. The Sixteenth Century: Luther's Discovery (Martin Luther)
17. The Seventeenth Century: The Puritans (Wm Perkins, John Owen)
18. The Eighteenth Century: Revolutions and Revival (Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, George Whitefield, John Newton, Wm Carey)
19. The Nineteenth Century: A Time of Contrasts (Friedrich Schleiermacher, Wm Wilberforce, The M’Cheyne Circle, Charles Spurgeon)
20. The Twentieth Century: Hope
March 13, 2024
What a treat. This was so fun! Sinclair makes the study of Church History beautiful, accessible, and practical. Would definitely recommend this as both an introduction to the field of Church History as well as a tool for reigniting a passion for the practical application of the discipline!
Honestly all I want to do now is fly to Scotland, buy Sinclair a pour of Whiskey, and listen to him tell stories of God’s faithfulness to his people for hours beside a fireplace.
Honestly all I want to do now is fly to Scotland, buy Sinclair a pour of Whiskey, and listen to him tell stories of God’s faithfulness to his people for hours beside a fireplace.
April 27, 2022
Good overview of church history. I appreciated his tone and approach as well as the Scottish accent.
February 25, 2025
Twenty chapters covering twenty centuries of church history, with each chapter highlighting key events, figures, and cultural shifts of that century. This consistent and straightforward format makes the book easy to follow.
While only a cursory primer on church history, the book shines in the outpouring of Sinclair Ferguson’s prophetic insight and pastoral heart. His ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of historical figures and time periods—and to contextualize them into relevant warnings and encouragements for modern evangelical readers—gives the book an edifying, almost devotional tone.
While only a cursory primer on church history, the book shines in the outpouring of Sinclair Ferguson’s prophetic insight and pastoral heart. His ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of historical figures and time periods—and to contextualize them into relevant warnings and encouragements for modern evangelical readers—gives the book an edifying, almost devotional tone.
November 8, 2018
These are a series of sketches painted with a super broad brush. The author refers to the chapters of this book as "fragments of the church's story" (in the introduction), and reading them is like eating morsels of your favorite cake. They are super yummy, yes... but they are morsels, nonetheless.
I would not recommend this book to someone who is interested in Church History or the biographies of great men in its history.
The design of the book is, however, beautiful. Love the colors, the font, the cover. Well done!
I would not recommend this book to someone who is interested in Church History or the biographies of great men in its history.
The design of the book is, however, beautiful. Love the colors, the font, the cover. Well done!
November 30, 2025
Fantastic bird’s eye view of church history. Each chapter covers a century. My favorite aspects of this book in particular is that he begins each chapter with a selection from a primary source of that century and closes each chapter with the text of a hymn written in that century. In the middle he talks about significant figures and events that shaped the church and gives application/lessons we can learn. Highly recommend. Would be great for high schoolers as well.
July 24, 2025
This book was much more enjoyable than Bruce Shelley’s work. (Sorry Bruce Shelley).
I only wish this could’ve been longer as so much feels left out; however, I think that this will always be the case when writing a book on the history of Christ’s church.
It’s pastoral and here and there drops a line that makes you sit and think for a bit, which is exactly what you want when you write a book about reflections. It begins with the writing of a saint, and ends with a hymn, both composed around that century. Hopefully this book proves to be a trustworthy and reliable aide to my introduction to church history.
I only wish this could’ve been longer as so much feels left out; however, I think that this will always be the case when writing a book on the history of Christ’s church.
It’s pastoral and here and there drops a line that makes you sit and think for a bit, which is exactly what you want when you write a book about reflections. It begins with the writing of a saint, and ends with a hymn, both composed around that century. Hopefully this book proves to be a trustworthy and reliable aide to my introduction to church history.
February 3, 2024
I have always loved the histories of the Church and of thought. Consequently, Ferguson's book is a supremely enjoyable read for me. While highly accessible, the narrative is carefully constructed around a firm grasp of literature, biographical details and theological streams that impacted the evolution of the Church over the past two thousand years.
You may approach this book as a "taste test guide" of key figures and events in Western Christianity (notably with an Evangelical perspective). Each chapter focuses on one century. The writer bookends his biographical excursions with a notable quotation of a historical text to start the chapter and a poem from that same era to end the chapter. This added an appreciable contextual element for me.
In the Year of Our Lord should not be perceived as a systematic historical overview. Its value lies elsewhere. Writing in richly evocative language, Ferguson weaves a story of how certain individuals exemplified the spirit of a given age and were used by God to leave an imprint on their respective times. Peering through the lives of these historical figures, the reader is given several salient observations on how these past exemplars can still speak to our 21st century spirituality.
You may approach this book as a "taste test guide" of key figures and events in Western Christianity (notably with an Evangelical perspective). Each chapter focuses on one century. The writer bookends his biographical excursions with a notable quotation of a historical text to start the chapter and a poem from that same era to end the chapter. This added an appreciable contextual element for me.
In the Year of Our Lord should not be perceived as a systematic historical overview. Its value lies elsewhere. Writing in richly evocative language, Ferguson weaves a story of how certain individuals exemplified the spirit of a given age and were used by God to leave an imprint on their respective times. Peering through the lives of these historical figures, the reader is given several salient observations on how these past exemplars can still speak to our 21st century spirituality.
May 13, 2019
This book is a devotional approach to Church history. It led me to worship as it traced Jesus’s promise, “...I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18)
“Jesus is always building His church. He has been creating His new covenant community for two thousand years. And He has been doing so in enemy-occupied territory. The gates of Hades may withstand, but can never prevent, His ultimate triumph.”
“Jesus is always building His church. He has been creating His new covenant community for two thousand years. And He has been doing so in enemy-occupied territory. The gates of Hades may withstand, but can never prevent, His ultimate triumph.”
May 1, 2023
This is the first book on church history I have read since I was very you and read foxes book of martyrs this is one of the most encouraging books I have read(listened too on audible) I would highly recommend it. And I have already referenced it in several conversations and know I will be going back to it often.
January 20, 2024
A beautiful summer read for me. If you’re looking for a fast flyover of Christian history, this is the one!
A steady reminder that God is building HIS church, and he will be with us until the end of the world!
A steady reminder that God is building HIS church, and he will be with us until the end of the world!
February 12, 2025
A really lovely read looking at highlights of each century of church history. Really enjoyed the hymns at the end of each chapter! Grateful to have two centuries of saints to look at for guidance in my walk with Christ.
August 23, 2022
A brief overview of Church history by century. It is good, for what it is, though its brevity necessitates that some important moments and people in church history aren't even mentioned.
April 8, 2025
I really loved this book. I don’t know a ton about church history, but Sinclair B. Ferguson made the subject feel approachable. Each chapter is beautifully organized by century, starting with excerpts from key people of that time and ending with a hymn.
I especially loved the reminder throughout that Jesus has always been building His church, and not even the gates of hell will prevail.
Overall, it was an excellent introduction to church history that strengthened my faith and left me wanting to dive deeper into the subject.
Highly recommend.
.
.
.
"How sad that the Christian church in this period of history should be better known for its successes and failures with the sword rather than with the gospel... We make that mistake over and over again, personally as well as ecclesiastically. We need to learn again to bow at the feet of Jesus as our example as well as our Redeemer and adopt His countercultural lifestyle.
He has set us in the world to witness to it, and there we must remain until we take our leave of it."
"We seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ. We may not see the fruit of that faithfulness. But we do not live or die to ourselves but to Christ. The gates of hell cannot keep us down. As we carry gospel seed, we may feel tears in our eyes because there seems to be so little fruit. But if we do not live to see the harvest, others will. Jesus has promised, and that is enough for us."
I especially loved the reminder throughout that Jesus has always been building His church, and not even the gates of hell will prevail.
Overall, it was an excellent introduction to church history that strengthened my faith and left me wanting to dive deeper into the subject.
Highly recommend.
.
.
.
"How sad that the Christian church in this period of history should be better known for its successes and failures with the sword rather than with the gospel... We make that mistake over and over again, personally as well as ecclesiastically. We need to learn again to bow at the feet of Jesus as our example as well as our Redeemer and adopt His countercultural lifestyle.
He has set us in the world to witness to it, and there we must remain until we take our leave of it."
"We seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ. We may not see the fruit of that faithfulness. But we do not live or die to ourselves but to Christ. The gates of hell cannot keep us down. As we carry gospel seed, we may feel tears in our eyes because there seems to be so little fruit. But if we do not live to see the harvest, others will. Jesus has promised, and that is enough for us."
October 1, 2018
First sentence: The letters AD form the abbreviation for the Latin phrase anon Domini, which means "in the year of our Lord." It goes hand in hand with another abbreviation, BC, "before Christ."
I enjoyed reading Sinclair Ferguson's In the Year of Our Lord. I'll get straight to the point and ask the questions I'd want answered: IS IT INTIMIDATING? and IS IT WORTH THE EFFORT?
Is it intimidating? Church history can be--though it doesn't have to be--intimidating. There's so much that could be included in any volume of church history. Do you include everybody and everything? Do you focus on people or ideas? Do you select the most influential theologians? What if the theologians were very influential but also wrong? Do you spend time correcting their theology?
This is how Ferguson approached the subject:
"In the Year of Our Lord is intended to be a very simple (but I hope) informative, encouraging, and enjoyable introduction to some members of "the Christian family"--the worldwide, history-deep, eternity-long church of Jesus Christ. It is a book of people, stories, words, and songs--a kind of family narrative accompanied by a songbook. It is not a history of the church, but simply fragments of her story. It is not the work of a professional historian but of a family member."
I found his approach to be a good one. I did not find the book intimidating. That's not to say I found it super-easy-going. I found it substantive and meaty. That's just how I like my theology. I don't want my theology to be so easy that it requires absolutely no effort on my part, so easy that nothing new is communicated. It is written for readers. It isn't necessarily written for scholars and academics.
Is it worth the effort? I'd say YES. Call me crazy, but, I found it almost devotional in nature. Perhaps the average person wouldn't come to that conclusion. (But I did). I loved, loved, loved how each entry ended in a hymn--a hymn written during that century, I believe. I also appreciated that each entry--or chapter--was an excerpt from a work from that century. These excerpts vary in difficulty or ease-of-reading. Some were accessible and well worth the effort. Others not quite as much. Ferguson's summary or introduction to a century was always worth reading. Ferguson makes church history applicable and relevant. Makes is definitely the wrong word. REVEALS does a better job of saying what I mean.
For example, in chapter two on the second century, Ferguson talks about persecution and false teaching. He writes,
"The early Christians knew that martyrdom could never ultimately kill either the believer or the church. But false teaching always does. We modern Christians tend to assume it is the other way around. We have little fear of false teaching but considerable fear of persecution. And yet, of all generations, perhaps ours is the one that should have learned to think most clearly and biblically."
I would recommend this one.
I enjoyed reading Sinclair Ferguson's In the Year of Our Lord. I'll get straight to the point and ask the questions I'd want answered: IS IT INTIMIDATING? and IS IT WORTH THE EFFORT?
Is it intimidating? Church history can be--though it doesn't have to be--intimidating. There's so much that could be included in any volume of church history. Do you include everybody and everything? Do you focus on people or ideas? Do you select the most influential theologians? What if the theologians were very influential but also wrong? Do you spend time correcting their theology?
This is how Ferguson approached the subject:
"In the Year of Our Lord is intended to be a very simple (but I hope) informative, encouraging, and enjoyable introduction to some members of "the Christian family"--the worldwide, history-deep, eternity-long church of Jesus Christ. It is a book of people, stories, words, and songs--a kind of family narrative accompanied by a songbook. It is not a history of the church, but simply fragments of her story. It is not the work of a professional historian but of a family member."
I found his approach to be a good one. I did not find the book intimidating. That's not to say I found it super-easy-going. I found it substantive and meaty. That's just how I like my theology. I don't want my theology to be so easy that it requires absolutely no effort on my part, so easy that nothing new is communicated. It is written for readers. It isn't necessarily written for scholars and academics.
Is it worth the effort? I'd say YES. Call me crazy, but, I found it almost devotional in nature. Perhaps the average person wouldn't come to that conclusion. (But I did). I loved, loved, loved how each entry ended in a hymn--a hymn written during that century, I believe. I also appreciated that each entry--or chapter--was an excerpt from a work from that century. These excerpts vary in difficulty or ease-of-reading. Some were accessible and well worth the effort. Others not quite as much. Ferguson's summary or introduction to a century was always worth reading. Ferguson makes church history applicable and relevant. Makes is definitely the wrong word. REVEALS does a better job of saying what I mean.
For example, in chapter two on the second century, Ferguson talks about persecution and false teaching. He writes,
"The early Christians knew that martyrdom could never ultimately kill either the believer or the church. But false teaching always does. We modern Christians tend to assume it is the other way around. We have little fear of false teaching but considerable fear of persecution. And yet, of all generations, perhaps ours is the one that should have learned to think most clearly and biblically."
I would recommend this one.
May 5, 2023
A great little overview of church history. Just enough detail to make each century interesting and memorable.
April 30, 2025
Ferguson both admits and reminds his readers of the shortcomings of such a book- the span of time is to great, his own biases and limitations are present, and the work far too short to be anywhere approaching the hem of comprehensive. He writes as an older, male, Reformed, conservative Scot of Presbyterian stock.
With disclaimers acknowledged, I thought it was a great introduction to names and a timeline approach to broad stroke Christian history. I especially found the 100 AD to 1100 AD section helpful as those periods often run together for me spanning the apostolic/church fathers to the eras of Wycliff, Hus, and the later Reformers.
The audiobook, read by Ferguson, was excellent as well.
Deeper than Wiersbe’s 50 Christians Everyone Should Know, Ferguson’s work likewise held great readability but more theology and less personality-driven. The hymns across the centuries to close each chapter were a solid, anchoring feature.
We tend to see faith confined- geographically, racially, denominationally, etc, but I believe we err when we will not learn from the broader past. Even as we learn many pitfalls to avoid, church history also gleams with men and women who in seeking after faith and progressing in grace gave their lives to know Christ. Would that such zeal of devotion be renewed in our day even as we minister from a profound sense of our own need for grace and a longing to share it with others.
With disclaimers acknowledged, I thought it was a great introduction to names and a timeline approach to broad stroke Christian history. I especially found the 100 AD to 1100 AD section helpful as those periods often run together for me spanning the apostolic/church fathers to the eras of Wycliff, Hus, and the later Reformers.
The audiobook, read by Ferguson, was excellent as well.
Deeper than Wiersbe’s 50 Christians Everyone Should Know, Ferguson’s work likewise held great readability but more theology and less personality-driven. The hymns across the centuries to close each chapter were a solid, anchoring feature.
We tend to see faith confined- geographically, racially, denominationally, etc, but I believe we err when we will not learn from the broader past. Even as we learn many pitfalls to avoid, church history also gleams with men and women who in seeking after faith and progressing in grace gave their lives to know Christ. Would that such zeal of devotion be renewed in our day even as we minister from a profound sense of our own need for grace and a longing to share it with others.
August 9, 2020
This is a collection of “sketches” of church history. I loved the format, which was broken into twenty chapters for twenty centuries. Each chapter ended with a hymn written in that century, which I found to be a nice touch. My biggest takeaways from reading this were that we can indeed learn much from our forefathers in the faith, and it is Christ who builds his church. This is good news!
January 30, 2025
This is not only a terrific and edifying recount of church history, but it also has good thoughts for current church leaders, including warnings regarding patterns being seen repeated in modern times.
I particularly appreciated Ferguson’s inclusion of many men with whom he disagrees on certain doctrinal points, yet he points out their significance in our history, describes the context in which they lived, and summarizes both the “good” and “bad.”
It was more broad than deep. This will give you a sweeping overview rather than deep dives into individual time periods and persons.
Ferguson does his own audiobook. His accent is different than mine, but it was no problem understanding him regarding that. However, the recording was a bit fuzzy and I often didn’t know when a quote was beginning or ending. I’d like to read it again in a physical version one day. It would make a good reference book if it has an index.
I particularly appreciated Ferguson’s inclusion of many men with whom he disagrees on certain doctrinal points, yet he points out their significance in our history, describes the context in which they lived, and summarizes both the “good” and “bad.”
It was more broad than deep. This will give you a sweeping overview rather than deep dives into individual time periods and persons.
Ferguson does his own audiobook. His accent is different than mine, but it was no problem understanding him regarding that. However, the recording was a bit fuzzy and I often didn’t know when a quote was beginning or ending. I’d like to read it again in a physical version one day. It would make a good reference book if it has an index.
March 6, 2025
Excellent introduction to church history.
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God. “ - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God. “ - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
December 2, 2020
A fantastic little read by Sinclair Ferguson. It is 20 short chapters. Each with a selection from a primary source, some historical narrative and then a hymn from that century. It is not a dry historical theology, but rather how the church has responded to its past challenges. In this way, it is encouraging and gives confidence that the church will continue to overcome any challenges in the future.
May 9, 2024
An excellent overview of Christianity in every century, especially for people like me who don't pick up on history quickly. While the main theme is that the gates of Hell have never prevailed against Christ's church, another thread I found was that it is carried on by leaders who "have yet considered how great the weight of sin is".
I think my only complaint is that I wish that it went into a little more detail about what everyone else was doing after the Reformation, but I understand that this is a series of talks given by a Reformed minister to a Reformed church. The deep dive into our tradition was certainly helpful. Overall, the stories are informative, but also convicting and inspiring, which I think is what you want from any story, let alone His (it's clever i swear)
I think my only complaint is that I wish that it went into a little more detail about what everyone else was doing after the Reformation, but I understand that this is a series of talks given by a Reformed minister to a Reformed church. The deep dive into our tradition was certainly helpful. Overall, the stories are informative, but also convicting and inspiring, which I think is what you want from any story, let alone His (it's clever i swear)
April 23, 2025
It was very good in certain respects. I probably shouldn’t quibble about who was included and who wasn’t, as it was merely a flyover in many ways.
My main reason for the lower rating, despite my typical appreciation of Ferguson, is the axe he kept grinding with every political theology that wasn’t modern, neo-liberal, universal religious liberty. His dismissals and condemnations were uncharacteristically unreasonable and simplistic. Disappointing.
My main reason for the lower rating, despite my typical appreciation of Ferguson, is the axe he kept grinding with every political theology that wasn’t modern, neo-liberal, universal religious liberty. His dismissals and condemnations were uncharacteristically unreasonable and simplistic. Disappointing.
February 21, 2019
Sinclair Ferguson gives a powerful reminder to Christians of Jesus’ promise that he will build his church - despite opposition, persecution, and poor theology. Ferguson’s work is an encouragement to believers that no matter what this world may look like, Christ has all authority and his church will continue on. Here’s a good rule of thumb: if Sinclair Ferguson writes it, read it.
September 26, 2019
Very good but very brief summary of each century of the church from the 1st to the 20th. The only issue is it was so brief that it left me wanting more information! Does give a great overview with cautions and encouragements to be gained from each century.
December 11, 2023
What a great series of vignettes covering 20 centuries of Church history! It of course makes no effort or claim to be comprehensive, but a broad view of the high points of church history with reflections from a reformed perspective is a very welcome read. I especially appreciated the excerpts from primary texts at the beginning of each chapter and the inclusion of hymns at the end.
May 3, 2025
Entertaining: 6/10
Transformational: 7/10
A nice fly-over of church history which ultimately revolves around the need for the reformation. Each chapter, which covers 1 century, includes a selection of key individuals from that century.
A good, short introduction to church history. This will probably become the spine for a history unit study.
The author reads the audiobook and his accent certainly doesn't hurt!
Transformational: 7/10
A nice fly-over of church history which ultimately revolves around the need for the reformation. Each chapter, which covers 1 century, includes a selection of key individuals from that century.
A good, short introduction to church history. This will probably become the spine for a history unit study.
The author reads the audiobook and his accent certainly doesn't hurt!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews