Church History 101

One may read about the “early church” or the “Renaissance popes” without having a clear idea of the who-where-what-why-and-how of those eras. This slim volume answers the basic question “what did the Church look like in this particular period?” for the four traditionally recognized eras of Church history: early, medieval, Reformation, and modern.

Each chapter includes a map and timeline to locate the reader in place and time. Then they address these topics:
1) The Big Picture – a broad overview of the era
2) The Church’s Hierarchy – a look at the popes, cardinals, and bishops with their concerns
3) The Church in the Pews – what Christianity was like for the average person
4) What Made This Period Unique – taking a comparative approach

All chapters conclude with discussion questions and a list for further reading.