The Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History gives you what it promises: the essentials. Following a brief introduction that outlines the key events of the New Testament era, there is a chapter devoted to each century of Christian history beginning with the year 100 and ending roughly at the year 2000. Each chapter flows chronologically featuring: A brief overview, highlighting the main threads and issues running through the relevant century Key historical developments explained Thematic connections between centuries Color-coded sidebars on Persons, Ideas, or Events Persons: key figures either within or without the Church who have impacted Christian history significantly or who otherwise deserve special mention Ideas: important Christian books, as well as heresies, doctrines, or political movements Events: world-historical occurrences such as battles, natural disasters, inventions, or elections that have affected the development of Christianity in the world The final chapter, devoted to the present century concludes the companion identifying key themes that the Christian Church is presently dealing with and suggesting future issues. A select Glossary of terms is provided at the end of the book, as well as a bibliographic list of suggested reading. This highly informative, broad-ranging book provides vital facts on the growth and impact of Christianity from the apostles to the present day not only in the Western world but also globally, including the development of Eastern Orthodox and Armenian Christianity, as well as considering Christianity in Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Baltic and Slavic states, and India. The companion is organized by century, going through the major events, ideas, and personalities that have shaped Christian history around the world. Whether you are a student or a lay person, a church-goer or unacquainted with Christianity, this book will help you grasp the global, multifaceted story of Christians.

The Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History Video Study gives you what it promises: the essentials. This highly informative, broad-ranging study provides vital facts on the growth and impact of Christianity from the apostles to the present day not only in the Western world but also globally, including the development of Eastern Orthodox and Armenian Christianity, as well as Christianity in Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Baltic and Slavic states, and India. The study is organized by century, going through the major events, ideas, and personalities that have shaped Christian history around the world. Along with its accompanying book, Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History, this video study by author and scholar Stephen Backhouse covers: The main threads and issues running through each century of Christian history Explanations of key historical developments Thematic connections between centuries Focused looks at key persons, ideas, and events The final session, devoted to the present century, identifies key themes that the Christian church is presently dealing with and suggests future issues. Useful for students and lay learners alike, the Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History Video Study will help viewers to grasp the global, multifaceted story of Christians. Session Titles and Runtimes: 1 - Servants and Leaders: 1-100 (8 min) 2 - Love and Courage: 100-200 (12 min) 3 - Martyrs and Heretics: 200-300 (10 min) 4 - Establishment and Resistance: 300-400 (13 min) 5 - East and West: 400-500 (11 min) 6 - Centres and Margins: 500-600 (11 min) 7 - Soldiers and Missionaries: 600-700 (12 min) 8 - Monks and Emperors: 700-800 (13 min) 9 - Conversion and Culture: 800-900 (13 min) 10 - Green Shoots, Dead Branches: 900-1000 (12 min) 11 - Popes, Kings, and Peasants: 1000-1100 (17 min) 12 - War and Peace: 1100-1200 (17 min) 13 - Empire and Wilderness: 1200-1300 (19 min) 14 - Humility and Power: 1300-1400 (18 min) 15 - Church and State: 1400-1500 (19 min) 16 - Expansion and Consolidation: 1500-1600 (23 min) 17 - Reform and Revival: 1600-1700 (23 min) 18 - Reason and Revolution: 1700-1800 (23 min) 19 - Progress and Preservation: 1800-1900 (30 min) 20 - Sacrifice and Invention: 1900-2000 (32 min)

From the customs of religious life to common domestic and social practices, The Essential Companion to Life in Bible Times is your quick and reliable guide to the cultural backgrounds that formed the backdrop of biblical writings. Unlike many similar works, this Bible companion is organized thematically, making it easier to scan over broad subjects at one go. Topics include: The family—describes what the Bible says about children and childbirth, education, the different roles performed by men and women; as well as topics like sex, marriage, divorce, old age, death, and burial. The household—from house architecture and furniture to topics of everyday survival, such as food and its preparation, water access, and how illnesses were handled. Work life—discusses major Old Testament occupations and trades, from livestock and woodworking to commerce. Social life—includes explanations of population, the calendar, economics, crafts, travel and trade, dress, and music. Government—how different aspects of governance were handled in towns, larger cities, and the state, including the roles of the king, elders, and officials. Israel's religious life—from the use of high places and altars, to the importance of the tabernacle and the temple, to the role of priests and Levites. Between the brief introductions you might find in a study Bible and the overwhelming amount of detail in an exhaustive reference handbook, Essential Companion to Life in Bible Times strikes the perfect balance of manageable information, giving any student of Scripture the keys to unlock commonly misunderstood passages as well as deepen your appreciation of even the most familiar Bible stories.

At your fingertips: the most vital information you need for reading and truly understanding the Bible. The Essential Bible Companion is a unique, easy-to-use reference guide that gives you clear, crisp insights into the Bible, book by book. Developed by two world-class Bible scholars and the creator of The Bible in 90 Days curriculum, this compact reference tool visually lays out the key details for each book of the Bible, including: Essential background information, such as the underlying purpose, the key terms and concepts, and the key teachings about God in that book. An easy-to-reference timeline of the book with callouts for notable events. Important people to know. Key verses, maps, and historical introductions. Between the brief introductions you might find in a study Bible and the overwhelming amount of detail in an exhaustive reference handbook or commentary, The Essential Bible Companion strikes the perfect balance of manageable information that doesn't distract or detract from Scripture itself. This richly informative volume will assist you on your journey toward a well-grounded biblical faith.

Historical Theology presents the key pillars of the contemporary church and the development of those doctrines as they evolved from the history of Christian thought. Most historical theology texts follow Christian beliefs in a strict chronological manner with the classic theological loci scattered throughout various time periods, movements, and controversies—making for good history but confusing theology. This companion to the classic bestseller Systematic Theology is unique among historical theologies. Gregg Allison sets out the history of Christian doctrine according to a topical-chronological arrangement—one theological element at a time instead of committing to a discussion of theological thought according to its historical appearance alone. This method allows you to: Contemplate one tenet of Christianity at a time, along with its formulation in the early church—through the Middle Ages, Reformation, and post-Reformation era, and into the modern period. Become familiar with the primary source material of Christian history's most important contributors, such as Cyprian, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Barth, and others. Understand the development of evangelical doctrine with a focus on the centrality of the gospel. Discern a sense of urgent need for greater doctrinal understanding in the whole church. Historical Theology is an easy-to-read textbook for any Christian who wants to know how the church has come to believe what it believes today. Gregg Allison's clear and concise structure make this resource an ideal introduction to Christian doctrine.

An up-close, comprehensive, and colorful atlas that allows you to travel to the lands where Jesus walked, Moses traveled, and Paul preached. Discover everything you need to know about the lands of the Bible. Packed with multidimensional maps, photos, diagrams, and charts; the Zondervan Essential Atlas of the Bible is designed to help you better understand the history and places of the Bible and its world. This full-color atlas is concise but thorough, perfect for Bible students, travelers to the Holy Land, or any reader of the Bible curious to find out more about commonly mentioned places in the Old and New Testaments. The Zondervan Essential Atlas of the Bible features: Nearly 200 stunning multidimensional and three-dimensional maps and full-color images. Accurate and up-to-date mapping technologies. Innovative chronological charts and maps covering historical backgrounds, regions, weather, and roads. With this easy-to-understand atlas, you'll find Bible study more engaging and comprehensible, and you'll learn key contextual facts about these historically and spiritually rich places.

This book is not only an introduction to the entire Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series, but also a quick-reference guide to the groups and movements discussed in the series. Truth and Error brings together in one volume the charts from the various guides that show how the groups and movements differ theologically from historic orthodox Christianity. Each chart is introduced by the general editor, Alan Gomes. The books in the series that do not have comparison charts are introduced and summarized. Each book in the series includes - A concise introduction to the group or topic - An overview of the group's or movement's theology -- in their own words - A biblical response - Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group - A bibliography with sources for further study -- Most books also include a comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group. The charts from these books are reproduced in Truth & Error.