Boer offers a reliable introduction to the history of the early church, providing background on the world into which the church was born, as he surveys the life of the church from the ministry of Jesus to AD 600. He examines the effects of persecution and heresy on the church and explains the role of several key church leaders. The author elucidates the church’s ongoing struggle to formulate proper doctrines of the Trinity and of Christ. Each chapter is clearly outlined and concludes with several discussion questions, making it an excellent study guide for church groups.
Praise for the Print Edition
Provides a lucid and concise account of the peoples, places, institutions, events, and ideas that made a difference in the development of the Christian faith from the first through the seventh century.
—New Testament Abstracts
An excellent account of the early centuries of the church. . . . All the information the average Christian needs on the persecutions, heresies, and great councils.
- Title: A Short History of the Early Church
- Author: Harry Boer
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 1976
- Pages: 198
About Harry Boer
Harry Boer (1913-1999) worked as a missionary in Nigeria for the Christian Reformed Church. He was an editor and founder of the Reformed Journal, and served as principal of The Theological College of Northern Nigeria at Bukuru from 1957 to 1971. He is the author of The Four Gospels and Acts and An Ember Still Glowing.