I recently read Christianity through the Centuries by Earle E. Cairns. It is a good introduction to the history of Christianity. Cairns was a professor of history at Wheaton College several decades ago. As such he writes from a conservative, evangelical perspective. The book has several benefits to recommend it:

  • It is written as a simple introduction to the history of Christianity, and so one can read it without having a background in church history.
  • The book does as good a job as can be expected integrating the history of Christianity with general history. The history of Christianity is shown in its broader historical context.
  • The book is written as a textbook. As such, it is clearly organized with an explicit outline. The whole scope of the history of Christianity is divided and subdivided into periods; each chapter is further outlined.
  • The book has several helpful charts.
  • The style of the book is clear, informative, and engaging.
  • Many books are recommended at the end of each chapter as guides for further study.

The book has a few drawbacks, but they aren’t very significant. Cairns can get a bit preachy in a few places. The chapters about recent history read like a descriptive lists of groups and movements rather than an analysis of the relationships between groups and broader movements, but the earlier chapters are much better. On the whole, this is the book that I would recommend to anyone who either wanted to read just one book on church history or who is beginning the study of church history.