The Big 5: Books on Church History

I have been asked by a friend about my favorite books on church history, so I thought I would throw it out for everyone. Try to limit to the most expansive books on church history, at least for your first few. If you want to add a couple of faves from certain time periods (reformation, early church, baptist, puritan, etc), feel free to do that as well. But make sure they are books about the history of that time, not books from that time. And do your best to stay to 5.

So, what are your big 5 books on church history?

Comments

[Christiane]

The author, JOSEPHUS FLAVIUS, wrote the 'Antiquities of the Jews', and although Josephus was not a Christian, he mentions Our Lord as an historical figure in his writings. Here is an excerpt:

"“ Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.[46] ”

This passage is called the 'Testimonium Flavianum' (meaning the testimony of Flavius [Josephus].
The passage is found in Book 18, Chapter 3, 3 of the Antiquities, in which Josephus describes the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of the Roman authorities.
It has been said I suppose with good reason, that the Testimonium is likely the most discussed passage of Josephus' writings.

[Matt Maestas]

Justo Gonzalez-History of Christianity.

[Frank Gantz]

Eerdman's Handbook

Schaff

I've been away from the field for more than a decade, so my memory has faded to pick 5.

[Harland]

Agreed - Gonzalez - History of Christianity.

Ferguson's Church History is Good as well, as an easy to read version.

For Early Church - i love Ferguson's Encyclopedia of Christianity. It is a great starting point for nearly any topic or person in that period.

as more of a "historical theology" than straight church history (again more early church) - i love John Behr's The Formation of Christian Theology - Vol 1 is called The Way to Nicea. Vol 2 comes in 2 parts and is called The Nicene Faith.

[Nick P.]

I certainly haven't read many books, but I was surprised at how enjoyable/easy reading History of Christianity (Justo Gonzalez) was. +1 for that.

[John Mahan]

Matt, Harland, and Nick - I think you are referring to Justo Gonzalez's The Story of Christianity. He also wrote A History of Christian Thought.

[Nick P.]

@John, yes, that's it. two volumes, in the edition i had.

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Penguin History of the Church - short paperbacks available that are excellent, readable, and respected. These are easy to engage and enjoy. Especially appreciated "The Early Church" and "Western Society & The Church in the Middle Ages," but I like to view all six as a set. The sixth is on history of Christian missions.

Covering a wide swath but limited to our country is "Fundamentalism and American Culture" by George Marsden: exactly as I described the Penguin series above.