Rhyming history
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A great Mark Twain quote (bizarrely in the Times last week in an article about Jamie Bulger!).
"History does not repeat itself. But it does rhyme."
This is a great way of describing church history. We sometimes say that church history is worth repeating because the same old things come around again and again. This is not precisely true. Each time pelagianism rears its ugly head it has a slightly different set of clothes on (to mix metaphors). That's what sometimes makes spotting heresy so hard. But history, especially church history, does rhyme. And that is a good reason for reading it. Here are a few easy ways in:
- Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley is a fairly comprehensive yet straightforward account of broad church history. Not always evangelically robust, but a good start (£13 Amazon price)
- The essence of the Reformation by Kirsty Birkett is a great little introduction to the Reformation. It is very basic, so if you know some stuff, you may find this is a bit too simple, but good for a first in (£6)
- Nick Needham's three church history books (Vol 1, Vol 2 and Vol 3) are very straightforward, reformed in outlook and detailed. Probably the best popular resource on church history. Volume 4 is out soon. (£10-13 at ICM)
- The Story of the Church by Robert Clouse (and others) is a little Dorling Kindserley type hardback. Like Shelley, it's broader than evangelical, but its pictures and format make it a great way in for a discerning reader. I've often given these to folks in church as a way in to read other stuff (£8)
- It's worth mentioning Mike Reeve's tones: The Unquenchable Flame and The Breeze of the Centuries covering the Reformation and the Church Fathers. I've yet to read the second, but I'm sure it is as good as the first (£7)
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