Dirk's Summer Reading....and some others #1

Not to be outdone by my beautiful wife I have decided that I need to review/recommend books that I have read this summer. I read part of the book during the last semester but finished it after finals. Here goes number 1 (it isn't as long as Kathy's)--Dirk



Heroes and Heretics: Pivotal moments in 20 Centuries of the Church
By: Iain D. Campbell

Dr. Iain Campbell is the pastor of the Free Church of Scotland in Back on the Isle of Lewis (UK). Dr. Campbell is the author of several other books on the doctrine of sin and on the gospel. He also serves as the Review Editor of the Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology.
Regrettably church history is commonly reserved for the seminary student or laymen who love history. Many Christians have little or no knowledge of the seven ecumenical counsels, the major impact of the reformation, or the early church fathers. If you are one of these people and want a concise overview of church history this is the book for you.
Dr. Campbell has set aside a chapter for each of the last twenty centuries in this book, which makes for an easy read. At 15-20 pages per chapter this book is great for bedtime reading, carrying around to read during short breaks in the day, or lunchtime reading. Heroes and Heretics contains a simple chart at the beginning of each of its chapters that gives important dates, events, and people of the century. The rest of the chapter expands on those topics in a way that is not overwhelming to the new budding historian.
While this book is very helpful for general information and a great overview of history it is by no means an exhaustive resource. For more specifics about church history one may find the endnotes and a further reading section helpful.
For the Christian who is just starting a study of church history, or the Christian who wants a overview book to refresh his memory this is a must read book. A copy can be purchased here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/185792925X/qid=1148000565/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-6728147-3384905?s=books&v=glance&n=283155