Christian History in Seven Sentences

Jennifer Woodruff Tait

A Small Introduction to a Vast Topic

The history of the Christian church is a fascinating story.

Since the ascension of Jesus and the birth of the church at Pentecost, the followers of Christ have experienced persecution and martyrdom, established orthodoxy and orthopraxy, endured internal division and social upheaval, and sought to proclaim the good news "to the end of the earth." How can we possibly begin to grasp the complexity of the church's story?

In this brief volume, historian Jennifer Woodruff Tait provides a primer using seven sentences to introduce readers to the sweeping scope of church history.

Among the sentences:

"No one whatsoever should be denied the opportunity to give his heart to the observance of the Christian religion." —The Edict of Milan (AD 313)
"Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one substance from the Father." —The Nicene Creed (325)
"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." —Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
"The church is confronted today, as in no preceding generation, with a literally worldwide opportunity to make Christ known." —The Edinburgh Conference (1910)

Pick up and read. The story continues.

"Church history can be daunting, especially to those who've never had good history teachers. Yet it has played a massive role in shaping the faith we share today. Who better than Jennifer Woodruff Tait, the editor of the leading popular magazine on the subject (Christian History), a part-time minister, and fantastic teacher, to get us over our fears and introduce us to some of the most important episodes in the Christian tradition. This is a clear, fair-minded, and reliable introduction to the most important subject you have yet to understand. Warmly recommended."

Douglas A. Sweeney, dean and professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

"Jennifer Woodruff Tait thinks that study of the Christian past provides 'navigation charts' to help believers sail safely through the turbulent waters of the present. Her sharply focused attention to seven key sentences from strategic moments in the history of Christianity demonstrates the wisdom of her metaphor. This book is an ideal resource (with another metaphor) to begin mining the riches of the past for the best kind of wisdom in the present."

Mark Noll, author of Turning Points: Strategic Moments in the History of Christianity

"Jennifer Woodruff Tait has expertly succeeded at the monumental task of summing up the history of Christianity in just seven formative sentences. Tait's approach is accessible, readable, and engaging. Readers will gain a clear sense of the scope and trajectory of Christianity's intricate story in broad strokes from the church's birth at Pentecost to the Edinburgh Conference and Vatican II of the twentieth century. In the end, the reader should be left without any doubt that our engagement with the Christians of the past is crucial to our lives as Christians in the present."

Jennifer Powell McNutt, Dyrness Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Wheaton College

"Four features of this superb book stand out: First, the writing. It is consistently lucid yet thought-filled, witty yet serious. Second, the erudition. The notes and bibliographic essay alone are worth the price of admission. Third, the conciseness. Jennifer Woodruff Tait brings the entire sweep of (mostly) Western Christian history into view through the deft device of isolating, exegeting, and contextualizing key sentences in the tradition's story. Finally, the import. Foregrounding not only her own Christian faith but also the implications of such faith for the church today, Tait answers the 'So what?' question clearly, decisively, and with a pastor's heart."

Grant Wacker, Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Christian History, Duke Divinity School

Christian History in Seven Sentences