Christian History Made Easy: 13 Weeks to a Better Understanding of Church History [Paperback]

Timothy Paul Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

This fantastic book summarizes the most important events in Christian history from the time of Jesus to today in 12 easy chapters. This bestselling book presents key events and people every Christian should know, time lines, worksheets, websites, photos, maps and illustrations. A leader's guide makes this book an excellent study for any group, including new believers' classes. The great theologian J. I. Packer says that Christian History Made Easy is, "...a beautifully simple, beginner-friendly telling of Christian history, a precious heritage."
Paperback, 160 pages includes leaders guide. Book measures 7.5" x 9".

What do you know about Christian history? Here's your chance to test yourself, or to launch a 13 week study on the book Christian History Made Easy. The book contains a Leader's Guide with notes that add to the chapters. Author Timothy Paul Jones, Ed.D., makes Christian history refreshingly fun while at the same time informing believers about the history of the Christian faith. Each chapter contains a summary of:

• Key events
• Key concepts
• Names you should know
• Terms you should know
• Think about it
• Did you know?
• Bible maps and time-lines
• Things to think about
• Clarification on words
• At the end of each chapter the book presents a Learning Activity that drives home important topics that have been covered

Christian History Made Easy covers key terms, events, and developments including:

• Christian history
• Church history
• Canon of Scripture
• Gospels
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• Easter
• Spanish Inquisition
• King James Version
• Nicene Creed
• Reformation
• Renaissance

The book covers key people in Christian history, such as:

• William Tyndale
• Augustine
• C.S. Lewis
• Calvin
• Finney
• Luther
• John Bunyan

These key religions and movements are covered, among others:

• Catholicism
• Christian Science
• Gnosticism
• Islam (Muslims)
• Jehovah's Witness
• Pentecostal
• Presbyterian
• Protestant
• Puritan
• Roman Catholicism
• Seventh-Day Adventists

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here you have a beautifully simple, beginner-friendly telling of Christian history, a precious heritage." --J.I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College

"Church history is not about names, dates, and facts. It is about the flesh and blood people of God and the life and death issues that have shaped their struggles and joys for two thousand years. Christian History Made easy makes this story come alive. I recommend it enthusiastically!" --Timothy George, Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

"With an extraordinarily engaging writing style, a wry sense of humor, and a keen intellect, Timothy Paul Jones makes church history not only easily understandable but also marvelously fun! Adults will love it. Its unique presentation is cool enough to work with older youth." --Jeffrey K. London, Senior Pastor, John Knox Presbyterian Church

About the Author

Timothy Paul Jones (Ed.D.) is professor in the School of Leadership and Church Ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Formerly senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Rolling Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to bachelor's and master's degrees in biblical literature and pastoral ministry, Timothy earned a doctorate in educational leadership from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He received the Baker Book House Award for excellence in theological scholarship, as well as the North American Professors of Christian Education Scholastic Recognition Award for his doctoral work in the field of spiritual formation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Rose Publishing, Inc. (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890947105
• ISBN-13: 978-1890947101
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Timothy Paul Jones serves as professor of leadership and as associate vice president of Global Campus at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world. Before coming to Southern Seminary, Dr. Jones led churches in Missouri and Oklahoma as a pastor and an associate pastor.

Dr. Jones has been widely recognized as a leading writer and researcher in the fields of apologetics, Christian education, and family ministry. Christian Retailing Magazine awarded Jones top honors in 2010 in the Christian education category for his book Christian History Made Easy. Charles Colson listed him as one of "four names you need to know" when responding to the new atheists. Jones has also received the Scholastic Recognition Award from the North American Professors of Christian Education for his research in faith development.

The son of a rural pastor, Dr. Jones earned his bachelor of arts degree in biblical studies at Manhattan Christian College. He holds the Master of Divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has taught biblical languages at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and at Oklahoma Baptist University, as well as lecturing on the reliability of the New Testament Gospels at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) at forums sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Despite his strong academic pedigree, Dr. Jones has shown a unique ability to communicate in an appealing, accessible style that has made him popular with the masses. He has authored or contributed to more than a dozen books, including Misquoting Truth, Trained in the Fear of God, and the CBA bestseller The Da Vinci Codebreaker. Widely sought as a commentator on theological topics, Dr. Jones has been interviewed on numerous radio and television programs, including WGN Morning News, Fox & Friends, Crosstalk America, and Bible Answer Man.

He is married to Rayann and they have two children, Hannah and Skylar.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from a teacher's standpoint, October 2, 2002

By 

Linda Thomas (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christian History Made Easy: 13 Weeks to a Better Understanding of Church History (Paperback)

I have used this book to teach one class of adults and will be using it in a few months to teach another class. They really enjoyed it. It is not overwhelming and yet hits most of the highlights of our "family" history. The conversational style keeps it from being boring and it is on a level that one does not have to have a college degree to understand. As with any study, it is always a good thing to undergird, support, and illustrate with other resources. If this is done, it balances any weaknesses found in the book's material. For instance, if a central character is not covered in depth enough, or even not at all, just add material to round it out. Our church is using it now for both teens and adults. Would recommend it to anyone.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great..., March 6, 2004

By 

Brynn Cavender (Puyallup, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christian History Made Easy: 13 Weeks to a Better Understanding of Church History (Paperback)

This book was great for learning the basics. Now that I have a better understanding of the origination, and occurances regarding the christian church over the years, I now feel better equipped to read a more thorough account of these happenings from another author. This book sets up a wonderful timeline of events throughout history and has a great way of presenting facts via various visual aids, such as pictures, charts, and subtitles... all in all, very user friendly. :)

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for Teaching, June 12, 2001

By 

Barbara J. Pemberton "Barbara J. Pemberton" (Orlando, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christian History Made Easy: 13 Weeks to a Better Understanding of Church History (Paperback)

I've scanned Christian History Made Easy by Timothy Paul Jones. Because it provides quizes, leader's guides, and refers to additonal information at web sites, the book can easily be used for courses in Christian History. Jones includes many pictures, and Did you know? articles on the borders of each page. The book content and format makes you want to read it. It's hard to put down!