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30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World
For many Christians, our understanding of the history of the church universal jumps straight from what we read in the New Testament to a basic understanding of the Reformation. We're missing more than a millennium! And it was a busy, fascinating, tumultuous thousand-or-so years during which Christianity spread across three continents. In places as distant and different from each other as China, Sudan, and Britain, the gospel was spreading, the church was growing, and believers were expressing their faith in myriad ways.
In this inspiring book, you'll learn about 30 key moments in the history of Christianity that illuminate the incredible diversity and unity of the faith. Combining a global scope with intimate storytelling, professor Mark W. Graham challenges you to expand your knowledge of Christian history and your appreciation for cultural and political differences among believers. The result will be a wider view of the church, a deeper understanding of other expressions of the faith around the world, and a greater connection to the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.
In this inspiring book, you'll learn about 30 key moments in the history of Christianity that illuminate the incredible diversity and unity of the faith. Combining a global scope with intimate storytelling, professor Mark W. Graham challenges you to expand your knowledge of Christian history and your appreciation for cultural and political differences among believers. The result will be a wider view of the church, a deeper understanding of other expressions of the faith around the world, and a greater connection to the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.
272 pages, Paperback
Published January 27, 2026
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March 26, 2026
This is a book best savored slowly. A thousand years of early church history is summarized in 30 key moments with one moment per chapter. Each chapter is its own little essay with further reading and notes included at the end. Because background information is given in the chapters, you can pick this book up at any time, read a quick chapter, and tuck it back in your bag. I found this to be a great book to read here and there when I had a moment just long enough to get a few pages in.
I started this book with almost no knowledge of early church history at all. Every moment in this book was new to me (with the exception of the Nicene Creed), so I did find myself getting overwhelmed with information at times. However, I really enjoyed the mathēma at the end of each chapter, which was essentially a lesson that could be learned from that moment in history. It’s certainly easy to feel far removed from events that happened so long ago, but these lessons made the history much more engaging. If you’re interested in learning more about church history but don’t know where to start, I would recommend trying this book first!
Thank you to Baker Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I started this book with almost no knowledge of early church history at all. Every moment in this book was new to me (with the exception of the Nicene Creed), so I did find myself getting overwhelmed with information at times. However, I really enjoyed the mathēma at the end of each chapter, which was essentially a lesson that could be learned from that moment in history. It’s certainly easy to feel far removed from events that happened so long ago, but these lessons made the history much more engaging. If you’re interested in learning more about church history but don’t know where to start, I would recommend trying this book first!
Thank you to Baker Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
With 30 vignettes acting as snapshots of Christian history around the globe, this book seeks to fill the gap in knowledge of the church's first thousand years of existence after the book of Acts. It's a thread of continuity in how God has preserved the church after Pentecost until today, with significant events shaping how the church persevered through hardships and expanded during unexpected favour. Providing a fairly neutral perspective on events without criticizing its outcome or speculating on people's motivations, this book comes replete with multiple footnotes for anyone interested in diving deeper and further into each of the instances mentioned.
Common themes abound around the persecution of Christians in early church history, along with decisions or circumstances that left the door open for neighbouring religions to make a headway into the culture. Despite this, the church’s faithfulness becomes a remnant that God has used throughout history to draw people to Himself, making it clear that nothing can prevail against the body of Christ. Readers interested in biographical descriptions of past Christians or poignant movements of the Spirit in the early church will appreciate this curated collection of how God has been at work in various nations and peoples, drawing parallels to what the church is encountering today.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Common themes abound around the persecution of Christians in early church history, along with decisions or circumstances that left the door open for neighbouring religions to make a headway into the culture. Despite this, the church’s faithfulness becomes a remnant that God has used throughout history to draw people to Himself, making it clear that nothing can prevail against the body of Christ. Readers interested in biographical descriptions of past Christians or poignant movements of the Spirit in the early church will appreciate this curated collection of how God has been at work in various nations and peoples, drawing parallels to what the church is encountering today.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
April 19, 2026
This was a great book! The forward sets you up and is worth reading - very readable/approachable history, but history done very well. Each chapter can easily stand on its own, but the reader will come away from the whole having a much better idea/feel for those first 1000 years of the church that puts our own times into perspective. I really appreciated that the book looks beyond the Greco-Roman world and helps readers see the expanse and diversity of the church. I especially loved the charity and humility with which this was written.
March 3, 2026
You know the Wood Between the Worlds in The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis, where each pond is a portal into another world? That is the best way I can describe the experience of reading 30 Key Moments. Each chapter feels like stepping through a different pool; brief, immersive, and opening onto a larger landscape.
I found this to be a delightful introduction to the history and setting of the early church. Each of the thirty vignettes are both comprehensive and enjoyably concise. Some feel like a satisfying snack; others leave you wanting another bite. The beauty of a book like this is that which chapter does which will vary from reader to reader, as interest and curiosity guide the way. It has something of a choose-your-own-adventure quality, especially with the recommended further reading provided at the end of each chapter. As a father with limited time throughout the day, I especially appreciate books with digestible chapters that can be read in the in-between moments while my boys are playing.
STRENGTHS OF THE BOOK:
Each chapter accomplishes a remarkable amount in a short space. The structure is consistent and helpful:
- The Background
- The Moment
- The Máthēma (the teaching takeaway)
This format provides both narrative clarity and theological reflection. The material is well researched and responsibly presented, with suggestions for further study that invite the reader deeper.
The geographic scope is also impressive. Graham moves from northern Africa and the Middle East to northern Europe and even into China, demonstrating how the gospel pressed outward toward the ends of the earth.
I particularly appreciated that Graham does not read himself into the stories or turn historical figures into untouchable heroes. This is not hagiography. It is an honest account of the church’s movements, both admirable and flawed, often leaving the reader space to evaluate and reflect.
Even in stories I thought I knew well, I encountered new details and fresh angles. I also appreciated the recurring motif of referring to the church as “our people,” a theme introduced at length in the opening. It reinforces that this is not distant history; it is family history.
Overall, I found the book highly engaging and full of depth. For anyone looking to begin exploring the first thousand years of church history in survey form, this is an excellent starting point, especially with the many trails for further research woven throughout.
CHALLENGES:
Because the book contains thirty chapters within a relatively short volume, each chapter carries significant informational weight. Graham accomplishes an impressive amount, but the density can require readers to juggle numerous names, movements, and unfamiliar terms. At times, I found myself rereading sections simply to keep the cast of characters straight.
That may simply reflect my own difficulty with managing multiple names (I experience this even in fiction), but it is worth noting for readers new to church history. A slower pace of reading may serve the material well.
Additionally, I would have appreciated a clearer explanation in each chapter of why the particular event qualifies as a “key moment” in church history. Sometimes this rationale is explicit; at other times, it feels assumed. A brief, consistent explanation of the selection criteria might have strengthened the framework of the book. I do not question that these moments are significant, but making the reasoning more explicit would enhance clarity.
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
This book is ideal for readers who want to better understand the heritage of the Christian faith and the historical movements that shaped the church’s theology and mission. It is accessible to the everyday reader, while still rewarding those with some familiarity with theological terminology and church history. Graham defines terms along the way, keeping the work approachable without oversimplifying.
Overall, I feel Mark Graham has offered a thoughtful and compelling volume that avoids romanticizing martyrdom, nationalism, or heroic faith. Instead, he presents faithful Christians laboring, imperfectly and persistently, to advance the gospel into every sphere of life. I would recommend picking up a copy and perhaps using it devotionally, one chapter a day over the course of a month, allowing each story to prompt reflection and further study.
I thank Baker Publishing for the review copy of this book. All of the opinions expressed here are my honest reflections on the book.
I found this to be a delightful introduction to the history and setting of the early church. Each of the thirty vignettes are both comprehensive and enjoyably concise. Some feel like a satisfying snack; others leave you wanting another bite. The beauty of a book like this is that which chapter does which will vary from reader to reader, as interest and curiosity guide the way. It has something of a choose-your-own-adventure quality, especially with the recommended further reading provided at the end of each chapter. As a father with limited time throughout the day, I especially appreciate books with digestible chapters that can be read in the in-between moments while my boys are playing.
STRENGTHS OF THE BOOK:
Each chapter accomplishes a remarkable amount in a short space. The structure is consistent and helpful:
- The Background
- The Moment
- The Máthēma (the teaching takeaway)
This format provides both narrative clarity and theological reflection. The material is well researched and responsibly presented, with suggestions for further study that invite the reader deeper.
The geographic scope is also impressive. Graham moves from northern Africa and the Middle East to northern Europe and even into China, demonstrating how the gospel pressed outward toward the ends of the earth.
I particularly appreciated that Graham does not read himself into the stories or turn historical figures into untouchable heroes. This is not hagiography. It is an honest account of the church’s movements, both admirable and flawed, often leaving the reader space to evaluate and reflect.
Even in stories I thought I knew well, I encountered new details and fresh angles. I also appreciated the recurring motif of referring to the church as “our people,” a theme introduced at length in the opening. It reinforces that this is not distant history; it is family history.
Overall, I found the book highly engaging and full of depth. For anyone looking to begin exploring the first thousand years of church history in survey form, this is an excellent starting point, especially with the many trails for further research woven throughout.
CHALLENGES:
Because the book contains thirty chapters within a relatively short volume, each chapter carries significant informational weight. Graham accomplishes an impressive amount, but the density can require readers to juggle numerous names, movements, and unfamiliar terms. At times, I found myself rereading sections simply to keep the cast of characters straight.
That may simply reflect my own difficulty with managing multiple names (I experience this even in fiction), but it is worth noting for readers new to church history. A slower pace of reading may serve the material well.
Additionally, I would have appreciated a clearer explanation in each chapter of why the particular event qualifies as a “key moment” in church history. Sometimes this rationale is explicit; at other times, it feels assumed. A brief, consistent explanation of the selection criteria might have strengthened the framework of the book. I do not question that these moments are significant, but making the reasoning more explicit would enhance clarity.
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
This book is ideal for readers who want to better understand the heritage of the Christian faith and the historical movements that shaped the church’s theology and mission. It is accessible to the everyday reader, while still rewarding those with some familiarity with theological terminology and church history. Graham defines terms along the way, keeping the work approachable without oversimplifying.
Overall, I feel Mark Graham has offered a thoughtful and compelling volume that avoids romanticizing martyrdom, nationalism, or heroic faith. Instead, he presents faithful Christians laboring, imperfectly and persistently, to advance the gospel into every sphere of life. I would recommend picking up a copy and perhaps using it devotionally, one chapter a day over the course of a month, allowing each story to prompt reflection and further study.
I thank Baker Publishing for the review copy of this book. All of the opinions expressed here are my honest reflections on the book.
February 22, 2026
30 Key Moments brings together stories from the early church to encourage and convict believers.
This accessible book about different moments in church history covers the often lesser known 1,000+ year period between the New Testament church and the Reformation. Mark W. Graham writes in an inspiring way to increase our appreciation for the early church across the world, helping us learn from their experiences.
Each chapter includes background information, an explanation of each event, and a section of application and reflection that is both thoughtful and fascinating. The book also includes a map detailing the spread of Christianity, a timeline of the early church, and recommendations for further reading.
My First Impressions (because life lately…)
I particularly liked how each chapter included a section to apply what Christian history can teach believers today. I also appreciated how the book lends itself to choosing a chapter of interest to the reader versus having to read cover-to-cover. I could see this book as a good pick for a book club or small group discussion.
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This accessible book about different moments in church history covers the often lesser known 1,000+ year period between the New Testament church and the Reformation. Mark W. Graham writes in an inspiring way to increase our appreciation for the early church across the world, helping us learn from their experiences.
Each chapter includes background information, an explanation of each event, and a section of application and reflection that is both thoughtful and fascinating. The book also includes a map detailing the spread of Christianity, a timeline of the early church, and recommendations for further reading.
My First Impressions (because life lately…)
I particularly liked how each chapter included a section to apply what Christian history can teach believers today. I also appreciated how the book lends itself to choosing a chapter of interest to the reader versus having to read cover-to-cover. I could see this book as a good pick for a book club or small group discussion.
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
March 1, 2026
Concisely walking us through 30 important moments in Christian history in the oft forgotten years between the early church and the Reformation, Mr. Graham provides a synopsis broken into 3 parts, the background, moment, and mathema.
Easy to read and understand, I liked how this book tackles the years that are more obscure parts of history. I was inspired by the courage of the persecuted, and intrigued by how Christianity reached different areas of the world and what was done in the name of faith.
I really liked how this book takes big things in history, breaking them into smaller digestible nuggets that make it easy to understand and see the importance of. Can be read with kids as well for homeschool work.
Overall, a concise read, that spans about a thousand years of history in one non-intimidating book. Great read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Easy to read and understand, I liked how this book tackles the years that are more obscure parts of history. I was inspired by the courage of the persecuted, and intrigued by how Christianity reached different areas of the world and what was done in the name of faith.
I really liked how this book takes big things in history, breaking them into smaller digestible nuggets that make it easy to understand and see the importance of. Can be read with kids as well for homeschool work.
Overall, a concise read, that spans about a thousand years of history in one non-intimidating book. Great read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 8, 2026
This is a book I’m genuinely glad to have in physical form. It’s the kind of resource that invites slow reading, margin notes, and thoughtful pauses. Each chapter stands on its own, making it easy to read a section at a time, reflect, and then return later. The layout and structure work beautifully for readers who enjoy digesting history in manageable portions rather than rushing through.
One of the most meaningful takeaways for me was how this book challenges our tendency to look back on early Christianity through an unrealistic or romanticized lens. It’s easy to imagine the early church as a simpler time—quietly sitting at the feet of Jesus, faith coming effortlessly—but this book makes it clear that following Christ has always been costly, difficult, and complex. A proper biblical understanding shows that obedience, perseverance, and suffering have always been part of the Christian walk.
Another insight that stood out was the caution against a misguided desire for martyrdom. The book helped clarify that rushing toward martyrdom is not a higher form of faith—it’s a distorted view of Christian faithfulness. Throwing one’s life away is not the goal. Honoring God comes from fulfilling His purpose for your life, faithfully living out your calling wherever He places you, for as long as He gives you breath.
This book is rich with historical insight while continually pointing back to Scripture. God’s Word truly is living and active, and even familiar passages feel fresh when seen through the lives of believers who have gone before us. These stories serve as reminders that we are part of a much larger story—the great cloud of witnesses—and that faithful endurance matters.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, well-organized book that I can see myself returning to again. A valuable addition to any Christian reader’s bookshelf, especially for those who appreciate church history grounded in solid theology.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
One of the most meaningful takeaways for me was how this book challenges our tendency to look back on early Christianity through an unrealistic or romanticized lens. It’s easy to imagine the early church as a simpler time—quietly sitting at the feet of Jesus, faith coming effortlessly—but this book makes it clear that following Christ has always been costly, difficult, and complex. A proper biblical understanding shows that obedience, perseverance, and suffering have always been part of the Christian walk.
Another insight that stood out was the caution against a misguided desire for martyrdom. The book helped clarify that rushing toward martyrdom is not a higher form of faith—it’s a distorted view of Christian faithfulness. Throwing one’s life away is not the goal. Honoring God comes from fulfilling His purpose for your life, faithfully living out your calling wherever He places you, for as long as He gives you breath.
This book is rich with historical insight while continually pointing back to Scripture. God’s Word truly is living and active, and even familiar passages feel fresh when seen through the lives of believers who have gone before us. These stories serve as reminders that we are part of a much larger story—the great cloud of witnesses—and that faithful endurance matters.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, well-organized book that I can see myself returning to again. A valuable addition to any Christian reader’s bookshelf, especially for those who appreciate church history grounded in solid theology.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
February 14, 2026
Excellent read. It is concise yet detailed enough that each chapter clearly situates its moment within the broader historical context of the first millennium of Christianity. I came away with a much richer grasp of the people, events, and theological developments that shaped the Church across diverse cultures and regions.
It is especially valuable for anyone who assumes Christian history is primarily Eurocentric because the book decisively shows otherwise. It highlights pivotal episodes from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia that are often overlooked but are essential for understanding the global character of early Christianity.
I was also struck by how many significant stories I had never encountered before, moments that feel like they should be common knowledge given their importance. An engaging and worthwhile read for anyone interested in the depth and breadth of early Christian history.
It is especially valuable for anyone who assumes Christian history is primarily Eurocentric because the book decisively shows otherwise. It highlights pivotal episodes from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia that are often overlooked but are essential for understanding the global character of early Christianity.
I was also struck by how many significant stories I had never encountered before, moments that feel like they should be common knowledge given their importance. An engaging and worthwhile read for anyone interested in the depth and breadth of early Christian history.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
From the Apostles to 1000 CE Done Right
Thank you to NetGalley, Mark W. Graham, and RBmedia for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Violence, persecution, martyrdom, massacres, religious violence, forced conversions
Mark W. Graham's 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World covers church history from right after the apostolic age through about 1000 CE. Most of us learn about the New Testament in church, maybe get some Reformation history, and that's it. There's over a thousand years we just skip. This book tackles that gap.
William Sarris reads the audiobook. His tone works perfectly for educational content like this. He pronounces all the names and places correctly, which impressed me given how many different regions and languages show up. The reading pace ran slow for me so I sped it up, but that's just how I listen to things. The narration itself is solid.
The forward talks about how church history books tend to be either scholarly or popular, not both. Graham wants to write something that reaches people beyond just those studying doctrine. I think he pulls it off. I've done research in this area and found it engaging. Someone coming to this fresh would probably enjoy it too.
Each chapter has three parts: Background, The Moment, and The Lesson. You can read these chapters in any order you want. They work as stand-alone pieces. Graham tells you when something connects to another chapter and where to find it. This makes the book useful for research or for doing a book study at church. Right at the start, the author mentions this would make a good book study. I completely agree with that.
The research and references are strong. There's a good appendix at the end. Graham uses scripture throughout. He presents complicated historical figures without trying to make them simpler than they were. When he talks about Constantine, he says "All humans are indeed irreducibly complex, but some are more challenging to understand than others." That's the approach he takes with everyone.
One of my favorite things about this book is how Graham keeps pointing out that the early church wasn't some perfect golden age. He doesn't romanticize it. Christians got persecuted, but they also did the persecuting. There's a chapter about Hypatia's death in Alexandria that shows early Christians as the ones causing harm instead of experiencing it.
The global perspective really stood out to me. This isn't just Rome and Europe. We get Persia, Armenia, North Africa, Yemen, Britain. Graham makes the point that the church was global way earlier than we usually think. Armenia becomes the first Christian nation around 310 CE. Graham points out this is the first example of Christian nationalism, and it becomes a template for what we'd see later in history from other nations like Rome, France, the UK, and much later, the USA.
Graham connects what happened back then to what's happening now in ways that make sense. When he talks about forged letters being used at an early church council, he brings up anonymous online attacks and deepfake videos today. He says these come from "Christians who imagine their cause is just and desire quick victories even at the expense of openness and truth. Wisdom can never be in such corners." Those connections made the history feel current instead of ancient.
The pacing works at just under seven hours. Thirty moments without feeling like too much. Topics include the Council of Nicaea and arguments about whether Christ is divine, persecution in the Persian Empire, how Pelagianism spread in Britain, a massacre in Southern Arabia in 544 CE that might have influenced Islam's arrival a century later. The variety keeps things interesting.
What got me was realizing how much those old theological fights still matter. People got kicked out of the church for believing things that a lot of modern evangelicals believe now without knowing the history. The quote I used shows that perfectly. The Nestorians and Monophysites were exiled, but their ideas are around today in different forms.
This works for a lot of people. If you really know this time period already, you probably know most of what's here. But most people sitting in church on Sunday don't know this stuff. This would be great for a church study group like the book suggests. Also good for educators, historians, anyone wanting to understand how Christianity developed and spread globally in those first thousand years.
Graham says "God often works with the most flawed, unlikely, unlikable of vessels." That shows up throughout the book. These weren't perfect people. They were complicated humans making choices that affected Christianity for centuries.
I'd love to see Graham write more books like this. Maybe covering the next thousand years, or if there are too many events, breaking it into two books of 500 years each. This would make a great series for introducing actual church history to people who wouldn't otherwise get this important information.
Well-researched and accessible church history that covers the first millennium most of us never learned about.
"One might instead wonder what those early Nestorians and Monophysites would think of the significant percentage of regularly surveyed evangelicals who respond true to the statement, Jesus Christ is the first and greatest being created by God."
Thank you to NetGalley, Mark W. Graham, and RBmedia for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Violence, persecution, martyrdom, massacres, religious violence, forced conversions
Mark W. Graham's 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World covers church history from right after the apostolic age through about 1000 CE. Most of us learn about the New Testament in church, maybe get some Reformation history, and that's it. There's over a thousand years we just skip. This book tackles that gap.
William Sarris reads the audiobook. His tone works perfectly for educational content like this. He pronounces all the names and places correctly, which impressed me given how many different regions and languages show up. The reading pace ran slow for me so I sped it up, but that's just how I listen to things. The narration itself is solid.
The forward talks about how church history books tend to be either scholarly or popular, not both. Graham wants to write something that reaches people beyond just those studying doctrine. I think he pulls it off. I've done research in this area and found it engaging. Someone coming to this fresh would probably enjoy it too.
Each chapter has three parts: Background, The Moment, and The Lesson. You can read these chapters in any order you want. They work as stand-alone pieces. Graham tells you when something connects to another chapter and where to find it. This makes the book useful for research or for doing a book study at church. Right at the start, the author mentions this would make a good book study. I completely agree with that.
The research and references are strong. There's a good appendix at the end. Graham uses scripture throughout. He presents complicated historical figures without trying to make them simpler than they were. When he talks about Constantine, he says "All humans are indeed irreducibly complex, but some are more challenging to understand than others." That's the approach he takes with everyone.
One of my favorite things about this book is how Graham keeps pointing out that the early church wasn't some perfect golden age. He doesn't romanticize it. Christians got persecuted, but they also did the persecuting. There's a chapter about Hypatia's death in Alexandria that shows early Christians as the ones causing harm instead of experiencing it.
The global perspective really stood out to me. This isn't just Rome and Europe. We get Persia, Armenia, North Africa, Yemen, Britain. Graham makes the point that the church was global way earlier than we usually think. Armenia becomes the first Christian nation around 310 CE. Graham points out this is the first example of Christian nationalism, and it becomes a template for what we'd see later in history from other nations like Rome, France, the UK, and much later, the USA.
Graham connects what happened back then to what's happening now in ways that make sense. When he talks about forged letters being used at an early church council, he brings up anonymous online attacks and deepfake videos today. He says these come from "Christians who imagine their cause is just and desire quick victories even at the expense of openness and truth. Wisdom can never be in such corners." Those connections made the history feel current instead of ancient.
The pacing works at just under seven hours. Thirty moments without feeling like too much. Topics include the Council of Nicaea and arguments about whether Christ is divine, persecution in the Persian Empire, how Pelagianism spread in Britain, a massacre in Southern Arabia in 544 CE that might have influenced Islam's arrival a century later. The variety keeps things interesting.
What got me was realizing how much those old theological fights still matter. People got kicked out of the church for believing things that a lot of modern evangelicals believe now without knowing the history. The quote I used shows that perfectly. The Nestorians and Monophysites were exiled, but their ideas are around today in different forms.
This works for a lot of people. If you really know this time period already, you probably know most of what's here. But most people sitting in church on Sunday don't know this stuff. This would be great for a church study group like the book suggests. Also good for educators, historians, anyone wanting to understand how Christianity developed and spread globally in those first thousand years.
Graham says "God often works with the most flawed, unlikely, unlikable of vessels." That shows up throughout the book. These weren't perfect people. They were complicated humans making choices that affected Christianity for centuries.
I'd love to see Graham write more books like this. Maybe covering the next thousand years, or if there are too many events, breaking it into two books of 500 years each. This would make a great series for introducing actual church history to people who wouldn't otherwise get this important information.
Well-researched and accessible church history that covers the first millennium most of us never learned about.
March 3, 2026
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader. If you like this post, you might like others on that site. Consider checking it out!
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* The term that Graham uses to describe Christians.
WHAT'S 30 KEY MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY ABOUT?
This is one of those that's all in the title and subtitle. Graham, a history professor, looks at thirty moments from various parts of the world during the first millennium that proved to be turning points in Church History—he focuses on movements, teachings, and individuals to bring these "Moments" to life.
GRAHAM'S METHOD
Each chapter—each "moment"—is considered in three steps:
1. The Background: historical context, some background leading up to the events in focus, some description of the area/people (as a group and individuals) focused on.
2. The Moment (or Moments, occasionally): this is the meat of the chapter, the events that the chapter is focusing on—what's the point of interest in this idea/part of time/chapter.
3. The Mathēma: while avoiding hagiography or romanticizing the moment, what lesson can we learn by analyzing the moment or seeing what it tells us about us today?
When Graham outlined this in his Introduction, I was sold—if this was going to be how the book went, I was in for the long haul, period. It was, and I really appreciated it. If only so it makes it easy to come back to look at one or two moments for something and get everything you need in that chapter.
THE MOMENTS SELECTED
I'm not overly familiar with the Early Church—and my Medieval Church history is okay. But when I looked over the Table of Contents astounded by how few of the chapter subjects rang any kind of bell for me. I found that a little embarrassing, but it also excited me—I was going to learn a lot.
For example: Constantine turning to Christianity (Chap 8); Arius at Nicea (Chap 10); Justin Martyr (Chap. 2); Perpetua's martyrdom (Chap 4)—all of those made sense to include, and I was glad to refresh my memory and see how Graham addressed things like that. On the other hand you've got: the Church in the Sassanian Persian Empire (Chaps. 6, 11, 13, 19); Nubian Christians twice saving their Church in Sudan (Chap. 21), or Armenia as the first "Christian Nation" (Chap. 7)—I was utterly clueless about these things. Granted, at last 95% of what I know about Sassanian Persia comes from some Fantasy novels from a decade or so ago—so that's not saying much. But, wow, all of these were just so fascinating. (ditto for all of the chapters not mentioned)
I'm not—by any means—claiming to be any kind of an expert on any of these moments in time now. But I've at least been exposed to them, and am intrigued enough to try and track down a deeper history about some of them.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT 30 KEY MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY?
It's not a drawback—it's a feature, but you need to know going in that these chapters are brief and you can't get meaty history or analysis. 30 moments from 1,000 years in less than 300 pages? Yeah, depth isn't on the menu. But, to stretch the metaphor, it's a great tasting.
If you read this in a sitting or two—or just a chapter at a time—you're going to get rewarded. You're going to get a good reminder that The Church isn't just something that happened in the New Testament and in your local congregation. Nor can the history be reduced from New Testament→Early Fathers/Councils/Creeds→long time of nothing important→Protestant Reformation→Late 20th Century Evangelicalism/today.
Our People (I'm really liking that phrase) have been around since The Garden, and we can relate to them, learn from them, and be inspired by them wherever they're found in time or on the globe. Graham gives an accessible introduction to some outstanding examples of this from the first millennium A.D.
I really hope there's a sequel covering the next 1,000 years or another 30 from that same period. I'd rush to get it. In the meantime, I heartily encourage you to go pick this up.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program. However, as always here, I read this book because it interested me, and the opinions expressed are my own.
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This emphasis on Our People* across space and time might prompt us to question the extent to which our own national, political, and cultural identities compete with or even overshadow our most foundational (and eternal) identity as Christians. In some important ways, modern American Christians have more in common with Christians from seventh-century Nubia, Persia, and southern Arabia than with agnostic neighbors who share our national flag.
* The term that Graham uses to describe Christians.
WHAT'S 30 KEY MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY ABOUT?
This is one of those that's all in the title and subtitle. Graham, a history professor, looks at thirty moments from various parts of the world during the first millennium that proved to be turning points in Church History—he focuses on movements, teachings, and individuals to bring these "Moments" to life.
GRAHAM'S METHOD
Each chapter—each "moment"—is considered in three steps:
1. The Background: historical context, some background leading up to the events in focus, some description of the area/people (as a group and individuals) focused on.
2. The Moment (or Moments, occasionally): this is the meat of the chapter, the events that the chapter is focusing on—what's the point of interest in this idea/part of time/chapter.
3. The Mathēma: while avoiding hagiography or romanticizing the moment, what lesson can we learn by analyzing the moment or seeing what it tells us about us today?
When Graham outlined this in his Introduction, I was sold—if this was going to be how the book went, I was in for the long haul, period. It was, and I really appreciated it. If only so it makes it easy to come back to look at one or two moments for something and get everything you need in that chapter.
THE MOMENTS SELECTED
I'm not overly familiar with the Early Church—and my Medieval Church history is okay. But when I looked over the Table of Contents astounded by how few of the chapter subjects rang any kind of bell for me. I found that a little embarrassing, but it also excited me—I was going to learn a lot.
For example: Constantine turning to Christianity (Chap 8); Arius at Nicea (Chap 10); Justin Martyr (Chap. 2); Perpetua's martyrdom (Chap 4)—all of those made sense to include, and I was glad to refresh my memory and see how Graham addressed things like that. On the other hand you've got: the Church in the Sassanian Persian Empire (Chaps. 6, 11, 13, 19); Nubian Christians twice saving their Church in Sudan (Chap. 21), or Armenia as the first "Christian Nation" (Chap. 7)—I was utterly clueless about these things. Granted, at last 95% of what I know about Sassanian Persia comes from some Fantasy novels from a decade or so ago—so that's not saying much. But, wow, all of these were just so fascinating. (ditto for all of the chapters not mentioned)
I'm not—by any means—claiming to be any kind of an expert on any of these moments in time now. But I've at least been exposed to them, and am intrigued enough to try and track down a deeper history about some of them.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT 30 KEY MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY?
It's not a drawback—it's a feature, but you need to know going in that these chapters are brief and you can't get meaty history or analysis. 30 moments from 1,000 years in less than 300 pages? Yeah, depth isn't on the menu. But, to stretch the metaphor, it's a great tasting.
If you read this in a sitting or two—or just a chapter at a time—you're going to get rewarded. You're going to get a good reminder that The Church isn't just something that happened in the New Testament and in your local congregation. Nor can the history be reduced from New Testament→Early Fathers/Councils/Creeds→long time of nothing important→Protestant Reformation→Late 20th Century Evangelicalism/today.
Our People (I'm really liking that phrase) have been around since The Garden, and we can relate to them, learn from them, and be inspired by them wherever they're found in time or on the globe. Graham gives an accessible introduction to some outstanding examples of this from the first millennium A.D.
I really hope there's a sequel covering the next 1,000 years or another 30 from that same period. I'd rush to get it. In the meantime, I heartily encourage you to go pick this up.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program. However, as always here, I read this book because it interested me, and the opinions expressed are my own.
February 7, 2026
Carl Trueman begins his foreword to 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark Graham with a great observation:
“Not only does it introduce the reader to an era of history that is often neglected in evangelical circles—the first millennium—but it does so in a way that connects the careful and sober approach of a professional historian to the kinds of questions that interest Christian believers.”
Trueman goes on to note “a growing desire among young Christians to understand and practice their faith with a deep awareness of its historical roots.” That line set the tone for my own reading of 30 Key Moments.
What We’ve Forgotten
I lost count of how many times I thought to myself, “I’ve never heard of this, but I probably should have.” Trueman is right: many of us, even those who love the church, tend to jump straight from Acts to our contemporary experience. We miss the in between, which means we miss the questions believers wrestled with, the conflicts they endured, and how they learned to live faithfully amid shifting empires and uncertain times.
Mark Graham invites us into that missing story. He carefully guides readers through the first thousand years of Christian history, beginning in the late second century. Each chapter the background of the time, its central figures and key moment, and its lasting lesson for the church. It’s accessible, engaging, and quietly profound.
Our People’s Story
I love that Graham calls the early believers our people. There’s something grounding in that phrase. These aren’t distant figures. They are part of the same family of faith we belong to. Their questions are not foreign from ours, and their courage continues to speak into our present moment.
Graham reminds us that our people have seen wars, upheavals, and cultural chaos many times before. He tells of the Montanists, who thought the end must be near. He writes about Vibia Perpetua in Carthage, whose martyrdom “…should serve,” Graham writes, “as a sobering reminder that, for every age, the powers that seem so present, so meaningful, and so all-encompassing will soon be cast aside.”
He doesn’t shy away from the complicated parts of our story. There are failures alongside the faithfulness. When persecution came, some stood firm, while others faltered. When political power aligned with the church, Graham warns of the “dark side” that inevitably followed:
“The melding of political power and Christianity always has this dark side in every single instance throughout history. Attempts to make earthly powers the kingdom of heaven… have failed with absolute consistency and always will.”
Learning from the Past
Through it all, 30 Key Moments opens up forgotten corners of Christian history. Did you know there’s a deep Christian heritage in Persia dating back to the third century? Or that early church traditions claim Bartholomew and Thaddeus—two of Jesus’ disciples—brought the gospel to Armenia?
It’s humbling and inspiring at the same time. We realize that the faith we practice today did not appear in a vacuum. It was forged and refined by generations of our people who came before us.
If you’re curious about the historical roots of the church, or if your faith could use a reminder of its long and steady endurance, 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity is a wonderful place to begin. It’s approachable, well-researched, and deeply encouraging.
Reading 30 Key Moments reminded me that Christian faith is not just believed, it’s received. Remembering our people helps us see that God has been faithfully at work long before us, shaping a story we now get to continue. In our age of constant novelty and cultural amnesia, learning to remember well might be one of the most countercultural and hopeful practices we can keep.
“Not only does it introduce the reader to an era of history that is often neglected in evangelical circles—the first millennium—but it does so in a way that connects the careful and sober approach of a professional historian to the kinds of questions that interest Christian believers.”
Trueman goes on to note “a growing desire among young Christians to understand and practice their faith with a deep awareness of its historical roots.” That line set the tone for my own reading of 30 Key Moments.
What We’ve Forgotten
I lost count of how many times I thought to myself, “I’ve never heard of this, but I probably should have.” Trueman is right: many of us, even those who love the church, tend to jump straight from Acts to our contemporary experience. We miss the in between, which means we miss the questions believers wrestled with, the conflicts they endured, and how they learned to live faithfully amid shifting empires and uncertain times.
Mark Graham invites us into that missing story. He carefully guides readers through the first thousand years of Christian history, beginning in the late second century. Each chapter the background of the time, its central figures and key moment, and its lasting lesson for the church. It’s accessible, engaging, and quietly profound.
Our People’s Story
I love that Graham calls the early believers our people. There’s something grounding in that phrase. These aren’t distant figures. They are part of the same family of faith we belong to. Their questions are not foreign from ours, and their courage continues to speak into our present moment.
Graham reminds us that our people have seen wars, upheavals, and cultural chaos many times before. He tells of the Montanists, who thought the end must be near. He writes about Vibia Perpetua in Carthage, whose martyrdom “…should serve,” Graham writes, “as a sobering reminder that, for every age, the powers that seem so present, so meaningful, and so all-encompassing will soon be cast aside.”
He doesn’t shy away from the complicated parts of our story. There are failures alongside the faithfulness. When persecution came, some stood firm, while others faltered. When political power aligned with the church, Graham warns of the “dark side” that inevitably followed:
“The melding of political power and Christianity always has this dark side in every single instance throughout history. Attempts to make earthly powers the kingdom of heaven… have failed with absolute consistency and always will.”
Learning from the Past
Through it all, 30 Key Moments opens up forgotten corners of Christian history. Did you know there’s a deep Christian heritage in Persia dating back to the third century? Or that early church traditions claim Bartholomew and Thaddeus—two of Jesus’ disciples—brought the gospel to Armenia?
It’s humbling and inspiring at the same time. We realize that the faith we practice today did not appear in a vacuum. It was forged and refined by generations of our people who came before us.
If you’re curious about the historical roots of the church, or if your faith could use a reminder of its long and steady endurance, 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity is a wonderful place to begin. It’s approachable, well-researched, and deeply encouraging.
Reading 30 Key Moments reminded me that Christian faith is not just believed, it’s received. Remembering our people helps us see that God has been faithfully at work long before us, shaping a story we now get to continue. In our age of constant novelty and cultural amnesia, learning to remember well might be one of the most countercultural and hopeful practices we can keep.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Baker Books sent me a pre-release copy of "30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity" by Mark W. Graham in exchange for an honest review.
This review is rather unique among the reviews I've done, as I've seen some of what's gone into the writing of this book. I studied under Dr. Graham at Grove City College. I was privileged to hear several of his lectures that have become chapters in this book. I even assisted in some of the research that went into this book (pg. 264). All that is to say, I greatly appreciate Dr. Graham and his work, and as such I had high expectations going into this book. It did not disappoint!
Each chapter has three sections: the background, the moment, and the mathema (the lesson). These chapters are brief and need not be read in the order in which they are presented. Dr. Graham helpfully cross-references other relevant chapters throughout his work. He does a truly commendable job making these snapshots from the first millennium of our history accessible to layman and scholar alike. I think this book will be of tremendous benefit to the church as a whole. Dr. Graham saw a need, and he met the challenge nicely. I can't recommend this book highly enough! Stop what you're doing right now and order yourself a copy. You'll be glad you did!
This review is rather unique among the reviews I've done, as I've seen some of what's gone into the writing of this book. I studied under Dr. Graham at Grove City College. I was privileged to hear several of his lectures that have become chapters in this book. I even assisted in some of the research that went into this book (pg. 264). All that is to say, I greatly appreciate Dr. Graham and his work, and as such I had high expectations going into this book. It did not disappoint!
Each chapter has three sections: the background, the moment, and the mathema (the lesson). These chapters are brief and need not be read in the order in which they are presented. Dr. Graham helpfully cross-references other relevant chapters throughout his work. He does a truly commendable job making these snapshots from the first millennium of our history accessible to layman and scholar alike. I think this book will be of tremendous benefit to the church as a whole. Dr. Graham saw a need, and he met the challenge nicely. I can't recommend this book highly enough! Stop what you're doing right now and order yourself a copy. You'll be glad you did!
February 27, 2026
There’s nothing new under the sun.
My overall takeaway from the book is that the church today isn’t as different from the early church in the centuries that followed Christ and the apostles as I originally believed. And while that proverbial bubble has been popped, I’m not left in despair or hopelessness. Because, despite the violence and the heresy and the sins that are rampant in the history of the Church, there are just as many, if not more, stories of heroism, of standing firm in the faith against all odds, and of standing up against emperors and kings for truth and justice. This book was a great birds-eye view of the first millennium of the church. I appreciated Graham’s attention to detail and the historical narrative surrounding our church fathers. I thank him for introducing me to many of Our People that I had never even heard of. I think of Alopen, the first missionary to reach China. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you are like me and feel terribly misinformed regarding the history of Christianity. Graham also provided many resources for further reading, which caught my attention and helped add a few more titles to my TBR list. My only question for Graham is this: Will we see book two: the second millennium of the Church?
My overall takeaway from the book is that the church today isn’t as different from the early church in the centuries that followed Christ and the apostles as I originally believed. And while that proverbial bubble has been popped, I’m not left in despair or hopelessness. Because, despite the violence and the heresy and the sins that are rampant in the history of the Church, there are just as many, if not more, stories of heroism, of standing firm in the faith against all odds, and of standing up against emperors and kings for truth and justice. This book was a great birds-eye view of the first millennium of the church. I appreciated Graham’s attention to detail and the historical narrative surrounding our church fathers. I thank him for introducing me to many of Our People that I had never even heard of. I think of Alopen, the first missionary to reach China. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you are like me and feel terribly misinformed regarding the history of Christianity. Graham also provided many resources for further reading, which caught my attention and helped add a few more titles to my TBR list. My only question for Graham is this: Will we see book two: the second millennium of the Church?
February 5, 2026
This is a fascinating exploration of the early church's history. Combining the thoroughness of a historian with the engaging tone of a Sunday school teacher, Graham guides readers through often-overlooked events, moving beyond the typical chronological and thematic boundaries of Christian history. This book covers many important moments, including the persecution of early Christians, the First Council of Nicaea, and Emperor Constantine's conversion.
I really appreciate how Graham emphasizes the global dimension of Christian history, offering fresh perspectives on familiar figures and events, and introducing fascinating new topics like Christianity's introduction to the Tang Dynasty in China!
The structure is very user-friendly, with background information, the key event, and a reflection section where readers can consider the lessons we can learn as Believers today, from each historical moment. Each chapter also concludes with suggestions for further reading.
This book is an excellent resource for those interested in Christian history, presented in an accessible style!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really appreciate how Graham emphasizes the global dimension of Christian history, offering fresh perspectives on familiar figures and events, and introducing fascinating new topics like Christianity's introduction to the Tang Dynasty in China!
The structure is very user-friendly, with background information, the key event, and a reflection section where readers can consider the lessons we can learn as Believers today, from each historical moment. Each chapter also concludes with suggestions for further reading.
This book is an excellent resource for those interested in Christian history, presented in an accessible style!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
March 3, 2026Graham skips through the first 8 centuries of the church, offering short, digestible introductions to people and events that impacted the direction of the Christian church. Many chapters feature recognizable names, but even history buffs are sure to discover some hidden gems. For instance, we've all heard of Constantine, but most of us—even history students—don't learn about Shapur I and Shapur II. Graham follows the trail of doctrinal development through war, politics, faith, and people groups. By the time you finish the book, you'll be able to trace the spread of Christianity from Judea to India, to Eastern Europe, and through Rome to Britain. You'll know key figures who blocked and facilitated the victory of orthodox doctrine. Truly, the connections throughout this book will help all readers view the early church in more concrete and realistic terms. Our church fathers and mothers were real, fallible, courageous, outrageous, and more.
April 27, 2026
This is one of those rare books that is highly readable and fascinating but also deftly handles complex historical and theological events and concepts, surveying stories of the early church around the world from the years 112 to 1000 AD. As author Mark Graham truthfully states, “Christianity is and always has been a global faith.” I found my own faith strengthened to hear of faithful yet flawed individuals among “our people” in the early church age, from well known figures like Pope Gregory and John of Damascus to lesser known figures like courageous martyr Vibia Perpétua (who penned the first known diary kept by a woman), Olga of Constantinople, and Nubian Christian warriors who helped run Islam out of Africa. Graham helps us see that the history of Christianity should not lead us to the extremes of either triumphalism or pessimism; we are to avoid oversimplification and preferred narratives in order to understand and appreciate how our glorious God in His great wisdom has many times used “the weak and the foolish” to accomplish His great purposes.
March 14, 2026
Bite-sized, yet rich stories of the faith for the first millennia AD. Graham provides quality context for each “moment” or chapter since they are placed all over the world at various times. It was a fun exercise for me recognizing and recalling previous stories and sources provided and discussed in classes with Dr. Graham at GCC (Dura Europos, Pliny and Trajan correspondence, Carolingian Renaissance, and Hagia Sophia chant reconstruction to name a few). He addresses some of the hagiography and even political usage of certain figures in Christian history such as Cyril of Thessaloniki, while being careful to provide what the real historical research has to say about it. Graham’s “mathemas” or lessons for each story make the moments applicable to “our people” today. Thanks Dr. Graham for another great learning experience!
January 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
If you love reading about early church history you will devour this book! Mark W. Graham does a great job taking some heavily debated topics and explaining them in layman’s terms. He breaks down the persecution of early Christians, First Council of Nicaea, and the lack of acceptance in early Christianity post resurrection and ascension. If you know your Bible, you will appreciate his OT and NT references. Dr. Graham did a remarkable job laying out the arguments from scholars on the divinity of Christ and how Christianity survived in different countries. If you are looking for a flyover of early church history, this book is a good place to start!
If you love reading about early church history you will devour this book! Mark W. Graham does a great job taking some heavily debated topics and explaining them in layman’s terms. He breaks down the persecution of early Christians, First Council of Nicaea, and the lack of acceptance in early Christianity post resurrection and ascension. If you know your Bible, you will appreciate his OT and NT references. Dr. Graham did a remarkable job laying out the arguments from scholars on the divinity of Christ and how Christianity survived in different countries. If you are looking for a flyover of early church history, this book is a good place to start!
January 29, 2026
30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World
I enjoyed this book.
I learned a lot about these 30 pivotal moments in the history.
Repeated themes in the book include things like resilience, cultural translation and the power of community.
I found this book left me with a better view, and more appreciation of how faith moves and survives across cultures and time.
Graham's writing is quite approachable, although I found the book quite academically-focused for me. But this writing style helped keep the content accessible.
Thank you to Netgalley for the early release of this book for this honest review.
Check out this book if this sounds up your alley - you will enjoy!
3.8/5
I enjoyed this book.
I learned a lot about these 30 pivotal moments in the history.
Repeated themes in the book include things like resilience, cultural translation and the power of community.
I found this book left me with a better view, and more appreciation of how faith moves and survives across cultures and time.
Graham's writing is quite approachable, although I found the book quite academically-focused for me. But this writing style helped keep the content accessible.
Thank you to Netgalley for the early release of this book for this honest review.
Check out this book if this sounds up your alley - you will enjoy!
3.8/5
February 12, 2026
Insightful and educational. Although there is much to relate to and learn from in the Bible, this was a great bridge between what’s found in the Bible and more of a “current” event connection around the world.
We don’t often go out there seeking cultural takes on Christianity as we probably should to view interpretations and different perspectives of what the Bible has done for other parts of the world so being opened to that felt like a privilege and something I’d like to see more of. We tend to focus on how Christianity affected our own country throughout history and expanding that interest to other countries is significant. This is a great window to begin that journey!
We don’t often go out there seeking cultural takes on Christianity as we probably should to view interpretations and different perspectives of what the Bible has done for other parts of the world so being opened to that felt like a privilege and something I’d like to see more of. We tend to focus on how Christianity affected our own country throughout history and expanding that interest to other countries is significant. This is a great window to begin that journey!
March 21, 2026
This is a perfect book for someone who doesn’t know much about the history of Christianity. It summarizes in bite-size pieces 30 different events and lists additional resources if you want to learn more. Easy to read and understand and mostly objective, but the author’s beliefs and views are evident in some of the mathema sections. I enjoyed and would recommend.
April 9, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
A simple trip through the deluge of historical accents within Christian history. Here are a few basic highlights. Take it from one who has explored many a pinpoint within Christian history, this contains bullseyes as well as semi-misses. Start here, let the music and history overtake you, and then explore.
A simple trip through the deluge of historical accents within Christian history. Here are a few basic highlights. Take it from one who has explored many a pinpoint within Christian history, this contains bullseyes as well as semi-misses. Start here, let the music and history overtake you, and then explore.
February 28, 2026
This book was extremely well researched, but it just came across as overly complicated. The book read like a textbook and I had a hard time focusing.
I did, however, learn about some of the history of Christianity that I did not know, so I appreciate that.
I do not want my star rating to affect the book badly, as this is just my personal opinion and others might enjoy this way more! It just wasn't for me.
*Thank you to Baker Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
I did, however, learn about some of the history of Christianity that I did not know, so I appreciate that.
I do not want my star rating to affect the book badly, as this is just my personal opinion and others might enjoy this way more! It just wasn't for me.
*Thank you to Baker Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a well written well researched book. I enjoyed reading about all of these interesting little tidbits of how Christianity was shaped.
February 15, 2026
Phenomenal read, enriched my understanding of Church history!
March 6, 2026
I am going through this same content in my Sunday school class and love the short and sweet summaries of each key moment. A great resource for a wannabe theologian like me.
April 26, 2026
This books was interesting! I liked the format—looking at snapshots in history and including a lesson at the end of each chapter. I would recommend this book.
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