This book outlines the thrilling story of the onward march of the Church of Christ from the earliest times to the end of the nineteenth century. It is not a dry-as-dust account of long-forgotten events and controversies, but rather a moving record of those who undertook the adventure of faith before us and, through their courage and steadfastness, left an example for the church in every age. Reading of the exploits of those who have gone before us, through times of prosperity and times of persecution, should stimulate, warn and encourage the church in our own age to persevere in the same path, and obtain the same everlasting reward.

Imagine for a moment what it would be like to meet one of the early Christians. What would you ask them? What could you learn from them? How might your life be changed by the experience?

Far from being a dusty old textbook, Sketches from Church History is similar to a personal time machine. It allows you brief yet poignant visits with that “cloud of witnesses” that, by God’s grace, have shaped, defended, and sustained the Church, often at the cost of their lives.

English scholar Sidney Houghton tells their story. He skillfully weaves period quotes, letters, artwork, and photos into his narrative. For example, Anne Askew was the daughter of a knight in Henry the VIII’s court. At age 25, she was tried for heresy. You can read this moving story, and learn of her fate from her own words taken from the trial.

But I will not leave you with the impression that Church History is all about martyrs. It is also the story of heroes great and small, of sweeping reform, and the joyful spread of God’s Kingdom like wildfire across the nations. It is the faith-affirming story of God’s goodness and mercy.

Fifty short chapters cover the Early Church and Martyrs, the Roman Church and Papacy, Islam, the Middle Ages, the Crusades, the Protestant Reformation of England and Europe, revival in North America, the rise of modern missions, and more. All this in less than 260 pages!

The student workbook will turn these stories into a high school-level course with a syllabus, questions and answers, charts, timelines, maps, puzzles, essay topics, and more. And don’t forget the value of lively discussion.

The Old Testament church often forgot her history with disastrous results. May that history not be our history. 256 pages, softcover from Banner of Truth.

—Dean

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