Every Bible student needs to be a student of history. Bible events happened in historical contexts, and thus the Bible is best understood as it relates to the times of those who are mentioned within it. It is also important to study church history. The first book of church history is Acts, and every congregation needs to emphasize returning to this original church. The Bible predicted a falling away, which is recorded in books on church history. Here are Wendell Winkler’s recommended books on church history

General

  1. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History (for first 300 years).
  2. J. L. Mosheim, Church History (4 volumes).
  3. F. W. Mattox, The Eternal Kingdom.
  4. Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church, 1918.
  5. L. P. Qualben, History of the Christian Church.
  6. P. Schaff, History of the Christian Church (8 volumes).
  7. F. L. Cross, Dictionary of the Christian Church.
  8. Hurlburts, The Story of the Christian Church.

Reformation

  1. R. H. Bainton, The Reformation of the 16th Century.
  2. H. J. Grimm, The Reformation Era.
  3. Norman Sykes, The Crisis of the Reformation.
  4. B. H. Bainton, The Age of the Reformation.
  5. B. J. Kidd, The Counter-Reformation.
  6. P. Smith, The Age of the Reformation.
  7. R. H. Bainton, Here I Stand.
  8. J. H. Merle d’Aubigne’, History of the Reformation.

Restoration

  1. Earl West, Search for the Ancient Order (4 volumes).
  2. J. W. Shepherd, The Church, the Falling Away and the Restoration.
  3. M. M. Davis, How the Disciples Began and Grew, 1915.
  4. T. W. Phillips, The Church of Christ, 1943.
  5. George A. Klingman, Church History for Busy People, 1909.
  6. H. Halley, Attitudes and Consequences of the Reformation Movement.
  7. Garrison and Degroot, The Disciples of Christ: A History.
  8. B. L. Smith, The Millennial Harbinger Abridged.

Biography

  1. Robert Richardson, Memoirs of Alexander Campbell (2 volumes), 1892.
  2. H. Leo Boles, Biographical Sketches of Pioneer Preachers, 1932.
  3. Batsell Barrett Baxter and Norvel Young, Preachers of Today (2 volumes), 1959.
  4. Earl West, The Life and Times of David Lipscomb, 1954.
  5. William Baxter, Life of Walter Scott, 1926.
  6. C. C. Ware, Barton Warren Stone, 1932.
  7. Cochran, Fool of God (Biographical Novel on Alexander Campbell).
  8. Srygley, Larimore and His Boys.