The Story Of The Christian Church

Dive into the epic saga of faith, courage, and transformation that spans centuries—the story of the Christian Church. In this captivating narrative, Jesse Lyman Hurlbut weaves together the threads of history, theology, and human endeavor to illuminate the remarkable journey of Christianity. From the humble beginnings of a small band of disciples in Jerusalem to the global movement that shapes cultures and hearts today, The Story of the Christian Church unfolds with vivid detail. Hurlbut invites you to witness the struggles, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shaped the Church’s destiny.

This classic includes the following chapters: Period I. From the Beginnings to the Gnostic Crisis Section I. The General Situation Section II. The Jewish Background Section III. Jesus and the Disciples Section IV. The Palestinian Christian Communities Section V. Paul and Gentile Christianity Section VII. The Interpretation of Jesus Section VIII. Gentile Christianity of the Second Century Section IX. Christian Organization Section X. Relations of Christianity to the Roman Government Section XI. The Apologists Period II. From the Gnostic Crisis to Constantine Section II. Marcion Section III. Montanism Section IV. The Catholic Church Section V. The Growing Importance of Rome Section VI. IRENiEus Section VII. Tertullian and Cyprian Section VIII. The Triumph of the Logos Christology in the West Section IX. The Alexandrian School Section X. Church and State From 180 To 260 Section XI. The Constitutional Development of the Church Section XII. Public Worship and Sacred Seasons Section XIII. Baptism Section XIV. The Lord’S Supper Section XV. Forgiveness of Sins Section XVI. The Composition of the Church and the Higher and Lower Morality Section XVII. Rest and Growth, 260-303 Section XVIII. Rival Religious Forces Section XIX. The Final Struggle Period III. The Imperial State Church Section I. The Changed Situation Section II. The Arian Controversy to the Death of Constantine Section III. Controversy Under Constantine’S Sons Section IV. The Later Nicene Struggle Section V. Akian Missions and the Germanic Invasions Section VI. The Growth of the Papacy Section VII. Monasticism Section VIII. Ambrose and Chrysostom Section IX. The Christological Controversies Section X. The East Divided Section XI. Catastrophes and Further Controversies in the East Section XII. The Constitutional Development of the Church Section XIII. Public Worship and Sacred Seasons Section XIV. Lower Christianity Section XV. Some Western Characteristics Section XVI. Jerome Section XVII. Augustine Section XVIII. The Pelagian Controversy Section XIX. Semi-Pelagianism Section XX. Gregory the Great Period IV. The Middle Ages to the Close of the Investiture Controversy Section I. Missions in the British Islands Section II. Continental Missions and Papal Growth Section III. The Franks and the Papacy Section IV. Charlemagne Section V. Ecclesiastical Institutions Section VI. Collapsing Empire and Rising Papacy Section VII. Papal Decline and Renewal by the Revived Empire Section VIII. Reform Movements Section IX. The Reform Party Secures the Papacy Section X. The Papacy Breaks With the Empire Section XI. Hildebrand and Henry Iv Section XII. The Struggle Ends in Compromise Section XIII. The Greek Church After the Picture Controversy Section XIV. The Spread of the Church Period V. The Later Middle Ages Section I. The Crusades Section II. New Religious Movements Section III. Antichurchly Sects. Cathari and Wal-Denses. The Inquisition Section IV. The Dominicans and Franciscans Section V. Early Scholasticism Section VI. The Universities Section VII. High Scholasticism and Its Theology Section VIII. The Mystics Section IX. Missions and Defeats Section X. The Papacy at Its Height and Its Decline Section XI. The Papacy in Avignon, Criticism. The Schism Section XII. Wyclif and Hus Section XIII. The Reforming Councils Section XIV. The Italian Renaissance and Its Popes Section XV. The New National Powers Section XVI. Renaissance and Other Influences North of the Alps Period VI. The Reformation Section I. The Lutheran Revolution Section II. Separations and Divisions Section III. The Swiss Revolt Section IV. The Anabaptists Section V. German Protestantism Established Section VI. The Scandinavian Lands Section VII. Revolt in French Switzerland and Geneva Before Calvin Section IX. The English Revolt

The Story of the Church gives an accessible and concise survey of the history of the Christian church, from the first century to the twentieth. Here is an epic tale of high hopes and great disappointments, of bitter persecution and heroic loyalty to principles. The Story of the Church is an established classic, widely appreciated by several generations of readers. It addresses the central question of why Christianity has spread around the world so successfully, and offers a distinctly evangelical perspective. Its clear structure pinpoints significant people and events.

Examines the early Christian community, Gnosticism, the Catholic Church, the influence of the Roman Empire, the Crusades, the Reformation, and modern Christianity.

This comprehensive history traces the birth and growth of the Christian Church and the people who brought it into being.