A Summary of Christian History

by Robert A. Baker, John M. Landers

Originally published in 1959, A Summary of Christian History has been a classic text for introductory-level studies of Christian history for more than four decades. Even in the face of advancing history, new findings, and changing perspectives, Dr. Baker’s original classic has remained popular decades beyond the normal life expectancy of a textbook.In this third edition, Dr. John Landers, a former student of Dr. Baker, builds on the original goal of helping students grasp the broad contours of Christian history without becoming lost in a maze of historical detail.

Genres: History, Church History, Christian History

448 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1991

About the author

There is more than one author in the Goodreads catalog with this name. This entry is for Robert A.^^^Baker.

Robert A. Baker was a leading church historian among Southern Baptists for half a century. He was professor of Church History at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a prolific author of books and articles. He held the Ph.D. from Yale University.

Reviews

[Kyle Oliphint · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many other books out there to give you a decent summary of Church History. Skip this one.

[Aaron Schuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Summary of Christian History" by Robert A. Baker offers a sweeping overview of the major events, figures, and developments in Christian history from the early church to the modern era. In reviewing this work, it's essential to consider its scope, depth, approach, and potential biases.

Scope and Depth: Baker's book is commendable for its broad coverage of two millennia of Christian history. It succinctly captures key moments and figures, making it a useful resource for anyone seeking a condensed yet comprehensive overview of Christian history. However, this brevity also means that some complex events and theological developments are only superficially covered. This is a common challenge in summary histories but worth noting for readers seeking deeper analysis.

Approach: Baker approaches Christian history with a clear and accessible style, making the book particularly suitable for beginners or non-specialists. The chronological structure aids in understanding the historical flow of events. Baker's focus on notable figures and events makes the narrative engaging and memorable.

Theological and Denominational Perspectives: As with any historical work, especially in the field of religious history, the author's perspective is an important consideration. Baker, being a Southern Baptist historian, may bring certain Protestant viewpoints to his interpretation of events and figures. This is not a flaw per se, but readers from other Christian traditions or those looking for a more ecumenical or interfaith perspective might find this angle limiting.

Use as an Educational Tool: The book serves well as an introductory text for students of Christian history. Its clear organization and straightforward presentation make it a valuable resource for educators and students alike.

In summary, "A Summary of Christian History" by Robert A. Baker is a valuable and accessible resource for understanding the broad strokes of Christian history. Its concise format makes it an excellent introductory text, though those seeking in-depth analysis of specific events or theological developments may need to look elsewhere. The book's Protestant perspective is also something for readers to keep in mind, depending on their own background and interests.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is simply written and illustrated for the uninitiated. It was written by two very intelligent men who too much and reduced it to little. It was fairly objective and somewhat conservative in its approach. It would be a good textbook at a community college, for those who know nothing of the Christian church. Well done, fellas!

[Adam Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text book for a class. While it was required or I would not have read it, it was well written although it bounced here and there quite often instead of following a straightforward chronological order

[Animesh Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. A short, brief and precise history of Christian theology.

[Jeremiah Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for homeschooling

Loved this little book on Christian history and learned a lot myself. I purchased it for our freshman homeschool class and it more than met my expectations. While it does not cover all the details of every denomination it has a healthy dose even addressing the modern "charismatic Christianity" and Vatican 2. This book has a healthy depth to it and the bibliographic information is exceptionally documented.

[Brent Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the first several chapters the best. Keep in mind this book it written from a Protestant perspective.

[Aaron Shamp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emphasis on "Summary" of Christian History... Most chapters felt like reading a Wikipedia article. I would have put it down after a chapter or two had it not been for school.