Church History Books

[LogosRhema]

I have a friend and myself included, interested in books with in depth Church history. I figured my Orthodox brothers and sisters would have the best references for these books. So can anyone give me directions? If you need more specifics for what I'm looking for just ask! Thank you!

[Knowledge3]

Just a note, any sort of history (church history) is learned by comprehensive study over time. You learn as you progress with study - there is not a single book that will give the entire history on any subject.

...

[E.C.]

I consider myself honored to be the first to recommend the Forum Favorite...

"The Orthodox Church" by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.

Although it is found under his civil name, Timothy Ware, since he originally wrote it as a layman.

[LogosRhema]

I consider myself honored to be the first to recommend the Forum Favorite...

"The Orthodox Church" by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.

Although it is found under his civil name, Timothy Ware, since he originally wrote it as a layman.
What are some of the main topics I could look forward to when picking this book up?

[LogosRhema]

Just a note, any sort of history (church history) is learned by comprehensive study over time. You learn as you progress with study - there is not a single book that will give the entire history on any subject.

...
I'm more than happy to start a list!

[E.C.]

What are some of the main topics I could look forward to when picking this book up?
The first half of the book focuses on history.

The history portion begins a little bit with Pentecost and then shifts into the time of the Seven Ecumenical Councils (about 325 to 787) and gives a brief explanation as to what the different Councils were about and what effect they had on Christianity from that point on. After that, he writes about the Great Schism - the split between East and West and thus the Roman Catholic Church began to function as its own without the rest of Christendom - afterwards, the conversion of the Slavs (watershed moment in Orthodox history) and then the persecutions of the Orthodox under the Muslims and later the Communists.

The second half of the book focuses more on worship and theology. It describes the significance of the sacraments, the Divine Liturgy and other similar topics.

When I read it, the history stuck out to me the most (which is why I can recall it better!) because in my Roman Catholic background, there was a 700 year gap in the history between Constantine's Edict of Milan and the Crusades! This book helped answer what had happened in that time and thus was a major factor in my becoming Orthodox since I love history.

Extremely well written. It is one of those books that will not put you to sleep out of boredom and is written so that many can understand it fairly well.

[LogosRhema]

The first half of the book focuses on history.

The history portion begins a little bit with Pentecost and then shifts into the time of the Seven Ecumenical Councils (about 325 to 787) and gives a brief explanation as to what the different Councils were about and what effect they had on Christianity from that point on. After that, he writes about the Great Schism - the split between East and West and thus the Roman Catholic Church began to function as its own without the rest of Christendom - afterwards, the conversion of the Slavs (watershed moment in Orthodox history) and then the persecutions of the Orthodox under the Muslims and later the Communists.

The second half of the book focuses more on worship and theology. It describes the significance of the sacraments, the Divine Liturgy and other similar topics.

When I read it, the history stuck out to me the most (which is why I can recall it better!) because in my Roman Catholic background, there was a 700 year gap in the history between Constantine's Edict of Milan and the Crusades! This book helped answer what had happened in that time and thus was a major factor in my becoming Orthodox since I love history.

Extremely well written. It is one of those books that will not put you to sleep out of boredom and is written so that many can understand it fairly well.
Sounds worthy! Thank you very much! What else, any one?

[KenBrauckmann]

Eusebius' History of the Church is an eye-opener.... ;)

ken

[buzuxi02]

Another good set of books is the 5 volume set "The Christian Tradition" by Jaroslav Pelikan.

[Macarius]

I must second both Eusebius' "History of the Church" (written around AD 320 about the first 300 years of Christian history), and ANYTHING by Jaroslav Pelikan.
Jaroslav is (was - :crosseo: ) the leading world expert on the general course of church history. His knowledge was as close to comprehensive as one can get.

He was born Lutheran (I believe) and became Orthodox shortly before his death a year or two ago.

In addition to Eusebius's work, and perhaps as a companion volume, I'd recommend Penguin's "Early Christian Writings." They're essentially the apostolic fathers - those writings by the generation immediately following the apostles, the writings vary in terms of date, but range, generally, from AD 70 to AD 110 - though some have been labeled as spurious and are dated later in the 2nd century. The introductions in the Penguin volume are evenhanded and excellent academically speaking - they'll clue you in to what texts are accepted and why.

You might also enjoy the more expansive series on Church History which St. Vladimir Seminary Press put out...

I can't seem to find volume two - but here are two excellent volumes.

Volume I - Formation and Struggles (http://www.svspress.com/product_info.php?products_id=3297)
Volume III - the Greek East and Latin West (http://www.svspress.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_4&products_id=3316)

Hope that helps!
-Macarius

[ClementofRome]

Another good set of books is the 5 volume set "The Christian Tradition" by Jaroslav Pelikan.

I was about to post this myself....an excellent suggestion!