Scott Sunquist: The Shape of Christian History

The Shape of Christian History

IVP Academic, 2022

By Scott Sunquist

WHO: Scott Sunquist, president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

HE SAYS: “The carefully researched study of Christian history has a purpose beyond merely knowing what happened. Embedded in every chapter, episode and life are lessons for us, for our churches, and for society.”

THE BIG IDEA: An introduction to the writing and study of Christian history and the mission of the church in light of the great reversals of the last decades of the twentieth century.

THE PROGRESSION: In five chapters, the author identifies three concepts for framing church history: time, cross and glory. These themes shed light to help people discern how the Jesus movement developed from the first century to today. 

“As much as any religion and more than most, Christianity is a religion of history, rooted in historic events and a full participant in this world.”

Unbroken Faithfulness

As we face challenge and opposition in our contexts, let’s be encouraged to keep going with consistency, moral courage and confidence in the Scriptures as God’s Word for all time—including our time.

Derwin Gray: 4 Ways to Refill

If we attempt to provide for others without first being nourished ourselves, we burn out. We wound ourselves and others.

4 Foundations for Successful Church Planting

Fueled by the passion of a calling, having committed themselves in prayer, and by playing a long game of patience and persistence, successful church planters establish effective churches by walking in a manner worthy of the purpose to which they’ve been called.