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Suggested Readings
and background on History of the Holidays articles and lessons by Bill Petro
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In the Fullness of Time: A Historian Looks at Christmas, Easter, and the Early Church, by Paul L. Maier
This remarkable book is a compilation of Professor Maier's earlier books -- The First Christmas, The First Easter, and The First Christians -- which are hard to find now in print, and is an excellent place to start. It got me on my start over 25 years ago in looking deeper into the history behind the holidays of Christmas and Easter, as well as a more detailed examination of the Acts of the Apostles.
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Christmas
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Charts of Ancient and Medieval Church History, by John D. Hannah This book by Professor Hannah covers Church History from the beginning until the dawn of the Reformation, and some of the elements both inside and outside the Church that fomented the Reformation.
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Charts of Reformation and Enlightenment Church History, by John D. Hannah This covers a 250 year period between the dawn of the Reformation until the beginning of the Modern Era.
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Introduction
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The Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History,
by John D Hannah Introductory, concise overview of Church History by Professor Hannah.
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Introduction |
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Church History in Plain Language,
by Bruce L. Shelley This excellent introductory text covers two thousand years of the History of Christianity is an engaging narrative.
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Introduction |
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Martin Luther - The
Early Years, Christian History magazine, Issue 34 This magazine covers the early life of the Reformer. Excellent introductory material for a lay reader. |
Luther 1 |
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Martin Luther - The
Later Years and Legacy, Christian History magazine, Issue 34 This issue covers the remainder of Luther's life and the legacy he left behind.
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Luther 2 |
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The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, by John
Piper This is the first in Piper's series of mini-biographies, "The Swans Are Not Silent." Piper's approach is devotional rather than historical, but where he touches on history, he is accurate on these three heroes of the faith. In it he traces the themes of Sovereign Joy, Sacred Study, and The Divine Majesty of the Word.
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Luther 2 |
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Zwingli: Father of
the Swiss Reformation, Christian History magazine, Issue 4 |
Swiss Reformation 1 |
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The Radical Reformation:
The Anabaptists, Christian History magazine, Issue 5 |
Swiss Reformation 1 |
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John Calvin, Christian History magazine, Issue 12 | Calvin |
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John Calvin: A Sixteenth-Century Portrait, by William J Bouwsma Professor Bouwsma taught the year-long class at the University of California, Berkeley called "History of Christianity." I was his student some thirty years ago and later talked with him while he was writing this book. This book was his magnum opus on the life of the widely misunderstood genius of Geneva, John Calvin.
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Calvin |
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Augustine, Christian History Magazine, Issue 67 | Calvinism |
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The Five Points of Calvinism, by David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas A good, short treatment of Arminianism and the 5 Points (TULIP) of the Canons of Dordt -- from a Reformed perspective. A concise introduction to Calvinism.
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Calvinism |
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John Knox and the Scottish Reformation, Christian History Magazine, Issue 46 | Scots/English |
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Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation, Christian History Magazine, Issue 48 | Scots/English |
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Wide As the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution It Inspired,
by Benson Bobrick Approachable narrative on the creation of the English Bible.
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Pilgrims-Puritans |
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God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible,
by Adam Nicolson Engaging recounting of the formulation and development of the English Bible under King James I.
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Pilgrims-Puritans |
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The American Puritans, Christian History Magazine, Issue 41 | Pilgrims-Puritans |
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Jonathan Edwards: A Life,
by George M. Marsden This large contemporary volume gives a perspective on Edwards' world from an historical and sociological point of view, and was recommended to me by the pastor of the Edwards Church in Northampton, MA.
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Great Awakening |
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God's Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards, by John Piper | Great Awakening |
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Spiritual Awakenings in North America, Church History Magazine, Issue 23 | Great Awakening |
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John Wesley: Revival and Revolution, Christian History Magazine, Issue 2 | Great Awakening |
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The Wesleys, Christian History Magazine, Issue 69 | Great Awakening |
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George Whitefield, Christian History Magazine, Issue 38 | Great Awakening |
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Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening, Christian History Magazine, Issue 8 | Great Awakening |
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Jonathan Edwards, Christian History Magazine, Issue 77 | Great Awakening |
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The Christian Face of the Scientific Revolution, Christian History Magazine, Issue 76 | Enlightenment |
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On Two Wings: Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding,
by Michael Novak This Templeton Award winning author gives an excellent balanced account of both Faith and Reason as elements in the founding of the American Republic.
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Revolution |
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The Founding Fathers and the Place of Religion in America,
by Frank Lambert Lambert takes a clearly "Separationists" view of the Founders while explaining the difference between his position and that of "Accommodationists."
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Revolution |
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Christianity and the Constitution: The Faith of Our Founding Fathers,
by John Eidsmoe Eidsmoe takes the "Accommodationists" perspective with informed and favorable perspectives on a number of the Founders.
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Revolution |
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Christian History Made Easy,
by Timothy Paul Jones A useful, though not particularly comprehensive survey of Church History. Chapters are bite-sized if not especially deep.
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Revolution |
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American Scripture : Making the Declaration of Independence,
by Pauline Maier A delightful description of the making of the American Declaration of Independence. Wonderful history, though I would have preferred a more detailed "exegesis" of the text.
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Revolution |
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American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson,
by Joseph J. Ellis This highly readable book is one of the best modern treatments on the life and impact of Thomas Jefferson.
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Revolution |
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Christianity and the American Revolution, Christian History Magazine, Issue 50 | Revolution |
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