Best 7 early church history books for Christians

Church history
Written By Mackenzie Walters

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If you’re curious about how early Christianity spread, these are the best 7 early church history books for Christians.

I’ve been interested in church history for a while now. When I asked a church leader for a book recommendation, he suggested the Book of Acts in the New Testament.

I'm glad I re-read Acts before diving into the history books below. It really was the best place to start as it shared how the Gospel first spread.

I’ve included a range of books on this list, from “church history made easy” to scholarly books, including one from the fourth century!

 

  • "Church History in Plain Language" takes a deeper yet still accessible approach to early church history.

  • OK, so it might take a day or so, but I was surprised by how quickly I read "Church History 101."‍ ‍

    I could describe as “Christian history made easy.” Each chapter covers one century of history, so it’s only the highlights.

  • I recommend “The Story of Christianity.”

    It’s been a slow but enlightening read for me, including answering questions I’ve had, such as why we name Pontus Pilate in the Apostle’s Creed.

  • Written in the 4th century, “The History of the Church” is a foundational text about early church history — the closest scholars have to the source.

    It was written by Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–339 AD), a bishop and scholar in the church.

 
An image of older books metaphorically represent history. The text over the image says, "From Faith Storytellres: 7 Best Early Church History Books."

Top 7 early church history books for Christians

Curious about the apostolic fathers, the dawn of the Catholic Church, or the spirit of early Christian thought?

The books below offer a historical religious education.

The development of Christianity doesn't — and shouldn’t — be limited to university scholars.

I've included a few accessible titles the average person (ahem, me!) can read and enjoy.

 

1. ‘The Story of Christianity, Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation’ by Justo L. González

This is the first of a two-book series that captures the history of the church and Christian tradition.

It follows the early Christians, from the fathers of the church in the 1st century to the historical events that were influencing how Christianity and the church spread.

“The Story of Christianity, Volume 1” traces the history of Christian doctrine, including heresies the early church encountered.

It also shares how the events of the medieval church sparked the Reformation, which is detailed in his second book, "The Story of Christianity: Volume 2: The Reformation to the Present Day,"

  • Why read: An important work on church history that's accessible to non-academics.

    I'm impressed by its breadth of perspectives, which are sometimes overlooked with traditional histories.

    The two volumes are essential guides to the history of the development of doctrine.

  • Best for: Seminary students, pastors, or anyone seeking an accessible yet (very) comprehensive overview.

  • Readers like: It's expansive and balanced treatment of complex church events, and how it treats the history of theology, and its various traditions, fairly.

  • About the author: Justo L. González (b. 1937) is a Cuban-American Methodist theologian and historian.

    He holds a PhD from Yale University, taught at Candler School of Theology (Emory).

➡️ Buy on Amazon

 

2. ‘Church History in Plain Language’ by Bruce L. Shelley and Marshall Shelley

A team of historians, historical theologians, and editors updated this classic book by Bruce Shelley. 

The new edition expands the Christian story to include people who may have been traditionally left out of historical books, such as women.

“Church History in Plain Languages” bridges both early history and the modern era, including the rapid growth of various traditions and the decline of mainline denominations.

  • Why read: To better understand the global spread of Christianity, both in early history and more modern times, including its development in Asia, India, and Africa.

  • Best for: Beginners and ordinary people interested in church history.

  • Readers like: How it reads like a story instead of a textbook; it deliberately avoids jargon or academic prose.

  • About the author: Bruce L. Shelley (1927–2016) was an American evangelical church historian.

    He earned a PhD from the University of Iowa and served as a professor at Denver Seminary (formerly Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary).

    In addition, the book has been updated by a team of prolific church historians.

➡️ Buy on Amazon

 

3. ‘Early Christian Doctrines’ by J.N.D. Kelly

This revised edition takes a systematic examines how the core Christian doctrines developed.

Each doctrine is wrapped in a historical context, and covers the end of the apostolic age to the Council of Chalcedon in the fifth century.

The new edition of “Early Church Doctrines” includes a chapter on Mary and the saints.

Doctrines explored also include a the Holy Trinity, the authority of the Bible, the biblical theology of salvation, original sin, and grace.

  • Why read: For a scholarly look at the history of Christian doctrines.

  • Best for: Theology students, seminarians, pastors, or scholars.

  • Readers like: Its clarity in explaining complex ideas as well as its thoroughness.

    It's frequently used as a reference book of course textbook.

  • About the author: J.N.D. Kelly (1909–1997) was a British Anglican priest and patristics scholar.

    He earned a DPhil from Oxford and served as principal of St Edmund Hall (Oxford).

➡️ Buy on Amazon

 

4. ‘Church History 101’ by Sinclair B. Ferguson

This is a short book on the history of the Christian church.

With a broad sweep of church history, this easy-to-read book is organized so that each chapter covers a century of church history.

“Church History 101” is a quick read that moves so fast, it can feel like intellectual whiplash.

You’ll learn about the church of the early fathers through the contemporary church of the modern day.

  • Why read: If you're looking for a book that summarizes just the low and high points, in less than 100 pages.

    Each century of church history highlights a few key events.

  • Best for: Beginners, students, and church leaders wanting to teach a class on church history from a Protestant point of view (commentary).

  • Readers like: That it draws modern-day comparisons, and how short it is.

    Some readers were surprised by how brief this little book is and read it in an afternoon!

  • About the author: Ferguson is a teaching fellow and distinguished visiting professor of systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary.

    He previously served as a senior minister at a First Presbyterian Church.

➡️ Buy on Amazon

 

5. ‘The History of the Church: From Christ to Constantine’ by Eusebius

“The History of the Church” was written in the 4th century and has become the foundational text of Christian historiography (the story of historical writing).

It’s the basis of many modern church history books to follow.

Bishop Eusebius was a leading scholar of his age and known as the "father of church history."

In this ancient book that’s been translated for modern readers, he traces Christianity from the years of Christ and the apostles through Roman persecutions to Constantine’s triumph in 324 AD.

  • Why read: It's the earliest surviving comprehensive church history. The publisher has created an annotated

  • Best for: Academics or anyone who is seeking a primary source in their study of early church history.

  • Readers like: Its historical insights and primary material.

  • About the author: Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–339 AD) was a bishop, scholar, and historian in Roman Palestine.

    The classic text has been translated into modern English and published by Penguin Classics.

➡️ Buy on Amazon

 

6. ‘The Early Church’ by Henry Chadwick

Drawing from a range of ancient sources, "The Early Church" provides a historical survey from the apostles through the fall of the Western Roman Empire and into the early Middle Ages.

“The Early Church” includes the emergence of the Catholic tradition, the internal controversies and politics of the church, and the formation of the Papacy and Monasticism.

  • Why read: It's fair treatment of church controversies; it's been praised for its balanced approach.

  • Best for: Intermediate students of history; it's a scholarly read that's not overwhelming.

  • Readers like: It's writing style and its insight and unbiased approach.

    “The Early Church" is often recommended as the best short history of the early church.

  • About the author: Chadwick (1920–2008) was a British Anglican scholar and priest. He was a professor of divinity at Oxford and Cambridge.

➡️ Buy on Amazon

 

7. ‘The Rise of Christianity’ by W.H.C. Frend

This sweeping history takes a panoramic view of Christianity's growth from the age of the early church fathers to around 600 AD.

“The Rise of Christianity” emphasis social, political, and regional church developments, many of which continue to influence the Christianity in the present day.

  • Why read: It heavily incorporates archaeological evidence and includes maps, chronologies, and graphics to supplement your understanding.

  • Best for: Advanced readers or those interested in a scholarly history of the early from a social or archeological perspective.

  • Readers like: Depth and comprehensive scope, as well as its academic rigor.

  • About the author: W.H.C. Frend (1916–2005) was a British church historian and archaeologist.

    He served as professor of ecclesiastical history at Cambridge University and specialized in early Christianity.

➡️ Buy on Amazon

 
 

Mackenzie Ryan Walters is the author of “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story,” which shares Christian testimonies and stories, as well as curated lists about Christian books, gifts, and more. A national award-winning education journalist who’s covered a presidential campaign and been inside NASA, Mackenzie now edits the Faith Storytellers website and is passionate about lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world.

 

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Mackenzie Walters
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