The Early Christian Church

The Story

For both the general reader and church history student, The Early Christian Church is a competent summation of the first five centuries of Christian history. This concise text is acclaimed for its clarity of expression, balance of judgment, and carefulness of arrangement.Following a brief chapter on the origins of Christianity, including a thumbnail sketch of Jewish history, is a survey of the pagan and New Testament sources of Christianity, and a reconstruction of the message and ministry of Jesus. Each chapter is divided into: a) background, b) sources, c) expansion and development, d) beliefs, e) worship, and f) social life/ethics.'…the best survey of the period. It combines readability with sound scholarship and can be heartily recommended as an introduction to the first five centuries of the church.' - Kenneth Scott Latourette