In Christian circles, it is not uncommon to hear a parent passionately speak of history as really being His story, and they are right. But then they turn around and define history by human achievements, rather than as an accurate recounting of God's redemptive work in the world. So they spend hours diligently sorting through the piles of readily–available history texts in the hope of finding one that supports the probability of a certain famous statesman being a Christian.

Why work so hard at seeing God's providence in history through quasi-Christians when there are dynamic, dramatic narratives that prove the point so clearly and effortlessly? God's people from every geographic, ethnic, and economic background have a story to tell in a way that will impact your children's understanding of God's providential hand throughout all times past.

This five-volume set that begins with Paul and ends with the church today offers an appealing and amazingly accurate introduction to the chronicles of Christianity. Though "fictionalized," these accounts are based on extensive historical research and incorporate quotes from each individual's actual writings. The choices these men and women made were stunning and appalling, but God's mercy and grace flowed freely.

With a very readable text, this is one series that was eagerly previewed by our in-house crew. There is additional information integrated throughout each volume, including the issue of creeds and councils and the formation of the Bible; what is Islam; the Crusades; the Puritans and the settling of the Americas; social reform; national revolutions; and the development of church music. This five-volume set is aimed at the nine- to fourteen year- old reader but also makes a marvelous readaloud for any family devotion.

More about the Chronicles of Church History series:
This is a series intended to cover the history of the Christian church through its people and key events. They are written with 9-14 year olds in mind but the modern, relaxed and enthusiastic style is infectious. This is history without the wooliness – and with all the wonder.

Peril & Peace
Volume 1: Chronicles of the Ancient Church
Let history come to life - just the way it should be. Read the stories of Paul, Polycarp, Justin, Origen, Cyprian, Constantine, Athanasius, Ambrose, Augustine, John Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick and Benedict. People from the early and ancient church and discover the roots of Christianity. From the apostle Paul to Benedict you can discover how those in the early church still influence church today. In their lives you will see the young and developing church struggling and growing in a hostile and difficult world. Watch in amazement as a varied selection of people from different countries, cultures and times merge together to form the Christian church. Learn from their mistakes and errors but more importantly learn from their amazing strengths and gifts. Marvel at the incredible things accomplished by God in such a short space of time. Written in a modern and relaxed style this is a book that will introduce you to history without the tears and with all the wonder. There are longer chapters interspersed with short factual chapters. Extra features throughout this book look deeper into issues such as persecution; worship; creeds and councils and the formation of the Bible as well as a timeline.

Monks & Mystics
Volume 2: Chronicles of the Medieval Church
Read the stories of Gregory the Great, Boniface, Charlemagne, Constantine Methodius, Vladimir, Anselm of Canterbury, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Sienna, John Wyclif and John Hus. From people of the Medieval church you can discover how the young Christian church moved on into another era of time. From Gregory I through to Wyclif and Hus you can discover about the crusades and the spread of Islam as well as the beginnings of universities and the Reformation. As the church moves on through the centuries you can see its people struggling against persecution and problems from inside and out. Learn from their mistakes and errors but more importantly learn from their amazing strengths and gifts. Marvel at God's wonderful care of his people - the church - the Christian church. Written in a modern and relaxed style this is a book that will introduce you to history without the tears and with all the wonder. Extra features throughout this book include looking deeper into issues such as Islam; Division; The crusades; the first university; Creeds and Councils and the Renaissance.

Courage And Conviction
Volume 3: Chronicles Of The Reformation Church
Read the stories of the reformers in the 16th and 17th centuries who changed the face of the Christian church forever. Meet the German monk, the French scholar and the Scottish tutor who protested corruption in the church. Get to know the queens and explorers who risked everything for the freedom to worship according to their consciences. It was a time of war and upheaval, but also a time of promise and hope. From Erasmus and Luther to Katherine Parr and William Bradford, God used different personalities in different places to bring sweeping changes to church government and the way we worship. Learn from their mistakes and be encouraged by their amazing strengths and gifts. Extra features throughout this book look deeper into issues such as the Scientific Revolution, wars of religion, the Puritans and the settling of the Americas.

Hearts and Hands
Volume 4: Chronicles of the Awakening Church
Read the stories of the gifted preachers and justice fighters who led the 1st & 2nd Great Awakenings in the 18th and 19th centuries. Meet the American preacher who started a national revival in his tiny church. Spend time with the wealthy English politician and the former American slave woman who helped abolish slavery in their countries. Get to know the missionaries who built lasting Christian communities in China, India, and Africa. For the first 1700 years of the church, God's people had worked to define Christian teachings and secure their freedom to worship. Now they began to see, in a new way, how the power of the gospel should change their feelings both toward Jesus and their fellow human beings. From John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards to Elizabeth Fry and Sojourner Truth, God used the tender hearts and strong hands of his people to offer mercy to the world. Extra features look deeper into issues such as social reform, the French and American Revolutions, and the rise of Protestant Denominations.

Rescue and Redeem
Volume 5: Chronicles of the Modern Church
As the modern world exploded with rapid changes- in transportation, in communication, in manufacturing- people around the globe faced overwhelming new challenges. As Christians arrived for the first time in other countries, they realized that being a Christian was about living out the gospel in every culture. And they realized that great injustice was everywhere! So they met the challenges of modern life with new ways of communicating Christ's ancient gospel. From Niijima Jo and Pandita Ramabai to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Janani Luwum, they set out to rescue God's global people and redeem them to new life in Christ. Read the stories of the Japanese samurai who traded his sword for a Bible and the Hawaiian princess whose faith strengthened her to defend her nation. Discover the German and Ugandan pastors who stoof up to murderous dictators. Get to know the teacher in India who rescued child widows and the writer in Britain who created a world in a wardrobe.