First CRC Library
Category:
Church
Barely had Christian civilization in the West begun to struggle out of the ruins of the Roman empire when a lethal new threat confronted it. Islam, a religion created by the prophet Muhammad, burst from Arabia, taking by conquest half of Christendom, from Iran to the Atlantic coast of Africa and northward into Spain. Across the prophet’s vast domain Christians were forbidden on pain of death to preach the Gospel, ride horses, build tall churches or ring church bells. Facing relentless discrimination, many conquered Christians, and eventually most, converted to Islam, and were prevented on pain of death from switching back. Christendom was now confined to Europe, defended by the armies of Byzantium in the East and the ferocity of the Franks in the West. Here, however, the faith continued to grow, preaching the love and mercy of God and slowly creating order from chaos.
| Author | Christian History Project |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Series Name | The Christians #5: Their first two thousand years |
Category:
Church
This is the first volume in the history of Christianity covering the period from A.D. 30-A.D. 70. This 287-page volume recounts how a small rabble of Jews, followers of an executed leader named Jesus of Nazareth, planted the seed of a new faith called Christianity across the mighty Roman Empire. It describes in vivid narrative and pictures the founding of the church, the astonishing work of the apostle Paul, the origins of the Gospels, the martyrdoms of Peter and Paul under the sadistic emperor Nero, and the horrific siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its great Temple by the Roman general Titus.
| Author | Christian History Project |
| Year Published | 2002 |
| Series Name | The Christians #1: Their first two thousand years |
Category:
Church
Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick Warren believes that in order for a church to be healthy it must become a purpose-driven church, built around the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus. “The issue is church health, not church growth!” declares Warren. “If your church is healthy, growth will occur naturally. Healthy, consistent growth is the result of balancing the five biblical purposes of the church.” Rick Warren shares a proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow • warmer through fellowship • deeper through discipleship • stronger through worship • broader through ministry • larger through evangelism The Purpose Driven® Church shifts the focus away from church building programs to emphasizing a people-building process. Warren says, “If you will concentrate on building people, God will build the church.
| Author | Warren, Rick |
| Year Published | 1995 |