Chronological and Background Charts of Church History

by Robert C. Walton, Earl E Cairns (Foreword)

The rich tapestry of nearly 2,000 years of church history overflows with persons, places, events, dates, and ideas. This volume in the popular Zondervan Charts series visually organizes large amounts of information from the history of the church for greater understanding and ease of reference. Students, teachers, pastors, and church history buffs will find this collection a valuable reference, one they will turn to again and again for their own information and for teaching others.

This revised and expanded edition contains 126 charts (43 of which are new) that cover the history of the ancient church, the medieval church, the Reformation, the modern European church, the American church, and more. The accessible visual presentation assists in grasping not only facts, but parallels, contrasts, and relationships between those facts. Besides the charts themselves, a helpful bibliography and index are included.

Genres: History, Reference, Church History, Nonfiction, Religion, Theology, Christian

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 1986

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 2 out of 5]

An extremely useful resource designed for anyone who has to take or teach a course in Church History. Each page, or set of two pages, is another chart. Beginning with the Apostolic age and continuing up to the early 1900s, Walton covers key figures, movements, places, events, and writings in all major and even many minor Christian denominations. He also includes branching diagrams and definitions. I plan to have this on hand when I teach Church History this summer and again next year.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a church history class. It appears to be decently thorough, and would work well as a general reference/overview of Western Christianity. By the time the book wraps up, it is focused particularly on American Protestant expressions of Christianity. Those looking for an overview of other expressions of Christianity (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, non-American) will want to utilize other sources.

[Joseph Mundo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronological and Background Charts of Church History is a clear and practical reference tool for organizing major events, figures, and movements in church history. I appreciated how the chart-based format removes narrative bias and helps anchor historical study in accurate timelines and relationships. This book is especially useful for students and pastors who want quick clarity without interpretive overload. While it does not offer theological analysis or depth on its own, it excels at supporting accurate study and preventing historical confusion. Overall, it is a valuable reference resource for grounding church history work in clear chronology.

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can you learn from a book of charts? Much! This new updated edition especially (43 new charts) is very helpful when trying to isolate a certain development in a period of church history to understand it and its significance better.

Robert Walton does such a great service to the student of church history by providing all these distilled visualizations of key people, events, and developments as the church moved from its small beginning at Pentecost to the global universal body it is today.

Truly this is a terrific reference for understanding key facts and their relationships throughout the history of the church.

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a perfectly fine reference collection of church history related charts. I wish there was an index or something though because it can be difficult to quickly find which charts you want to use.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Note: Although I read much of this book, I did not read the entire book. I only read what was required by my graduate school.*

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. A useful teaching aid back when I was teaching. Oh, so long ago.

[Julius Torno]

i think its good...

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful for teachers and for preparing for tests.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good charts, but incomplete. Could be much better.

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb tool to help you grasp the story of the Church.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of really great information organized in a logical flow