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2,000 Years of Christ's Power: Part One: The Age of the Early Church Fathers Paperback – January 1, 1998

by Nicholas R. Needham (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Evangelical Pr
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1998
  5. Dimensions
    5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0946462496
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0946462490
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Evangelical Pr; Revised and Updated ed. edition (January 1, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0946462496
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0946462490
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.07 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
15 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Great books!
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2016
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Historically comprehensive, easily readable and organized for the average person who wishes to learn Church history. Dr Needham has recently (Dec. 2016) re-released his Church history books—Parts 1-3 and has added Part 4. These prices are more reasonable; costing less then $30.
3 people found this helpful
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George Kerlek Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars I have Parts two and three, waiting for part ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2015
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I have Parts two and three, waiting for part 4. If you want a definitive history of Christianity, this is it.
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James R. Carmichael, Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of 2000 Years of Christ's Power
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2015
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One of the best Historical Theology works on the market. Worth every penny.
5 people found this helpful
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James H. Foy
5.0 out of 5 stars 2000 years of Christ's power
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2010
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Written in an easy to follow and understand format. Yes, filled with many names and historical events but interesting, especially for the investigative Christian.
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Daryl Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem of a Survey
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2003
This is simply one of the most enjoyable and readable surveys of the early church that I have ever read! Dr. Needham's goal for this series is to strike a much needed balance between accessibility for the non-specialist, and scholarly integrity. In this first volume, he accomplishes this task admirably, and both the interested layman, and more advanced student can profit from this text.
Dr. Needham does a commendable job tying the events of church history to their broader historical and philosophical context. His treatment of the many complex theological debates that shaped the early church is both clear and concise, and his exposition of the worship and practice of the early church is both fascinating and refreshing.
The end of each chapter has a section of carefully selected primary source materials, which serve to give the reader limited exposure to the writings of some of the figures discussed in the preceding chapter. Several helpful but unspectacular maps can be found within, along with over a dozen illustrations. A nice glossary of terms and bibliography can also be found at the back.
Thus far my only major criticism of this book would have to be the binding. Simply put, it is rather cheap and unlikely to take much wear. That not withstanding, I can't recommend this text enough, and eagerly look forward to the other volumes in this series.
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J. D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Orthodox Christian reader
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2001
I picked up Needham's book on a visit to England last fall. It is an excellent volume on early Church history. Written in a style that is easy to read and understand and easily holds one's interest, in my opinion it contains information every serious Christian should know but is rarely talked about. Most Christians think of Christian history only in terms of the last 500 years--since the Protestant Reformation in the 1500's. In fact, the foundations of our Christian faith were laid rather in the first 500 years of Church history, which Needham does a thorough job of presenting. I recommend it highly!
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Tim Challies
4.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Introduction
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2005
2000 Years of Christ's PowerI could draw up quite a list of reasons why Christians need to study and understand the history of the church. We should study the history of the church so we can understand the development of doctrine and realize that a doctrine like the Trinity was not simply understood by a brief reading of Scripture, but was a doctrine forged in the fire of counsels, battles and excommunications. We should study the history of the church because, as the old adage states, those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. But I think the most important reason to study church history is to see and appreciate the mighty acts of God in preserving His people through the past two millenia of strife and persecution.

Nick Needham, who pastors a church in London has attempted to carry this theme throughout a series of books on the history of the church. 2000 Years of Christ's Power is a four-volume series with the first three volumes already published and the fourth due for publication in the near future. The first volume discusses the age of the early church fathers, the second discusses the middle ages, the third discusses the renaisscance and reformation with the final, forthcoming volume bringing the history of the church to the present day.

While the study of church history can easily become laborious, this series is intended to appeal "to the non-specialist and any modern Christian will find it challenging and stimulating to be introduced to men and women who loved and served the same Saviour that he loves and serves." Of course those who have already studied the history of the church will still find plenty of deep and interesting content.

So how well does Needham succeed in his goal? Having now read the first volume I found he did an excellent job of making a complicated era of the church's history both interesting and understandable. This is surely no small task! The book is written in an appealing fashion and clearly targetted at people with little prior knowledge of the subject. The format is primarily chronological and each chapter concludes with a section of primary sources where the author provides short readings from the works of the historical figures just discussed. Words and concepts are well-defined and the book includes a helpful glossary. All of these factors work to make this a very accessible volume that will benefit any adult or teenager.

I do have a few small concerns with the book. It was clear to me that the author was generally attempting to describe history without interpreting it or commenting on it. Having said that, I would have found it helpful to have him expend some effort in comparing the development of doctrine in this age with Protestant doctrine as we know it today. While at times it was clear to see how theology began to drift away from biblical orthodoxy, at other times it was more difficult to understand how the failings of the early church fathers contributed to much of the incorrect doctrine that flourished at least until the time of the Reformation and in many cases continues to flourish in our day. It would also have been helpful if the author had defined the word "great" which he uses quite regularly. I was unsure if he used the word to describe a person's contribution to the history of the church or if he used it in a more subjective sense to indicate his agreement with that person's contributions. Finally, at times it seemed to me that the author was endorsing some of the figures who seemed to have drifted far from orthodoxy and even far from the gospel. This was especially true as time progressed and more of those who considered themselves Christians drifted farther from the foundations laid by the Lord and His apostles.

Those concerns aside, this book gave me a deeper understanding of the early history of church and helped me understand the graciousness of God in continuing to preserve and strengthen the church. It helped me understand the historical foundations for many of the doctrines that we too-often take for granted today. I have no trouble recommending it and I look forward to reading the subsequent volumes.
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good detail without academic esoterica
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2013
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Would consider this solidly "between Sunday school and seminary". I knew very little about the early church fathers and the early controversies such as Docetism and Arianism. This is very well laid out to give one a high level view with just enough detail. Now can zero in on areas that I would like to pursue in depth. This was the author's stated intention and he accomplished it admirably.
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Ninos Hadjirousou
5.0 out of 5 stars N.A Hadjirousou
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2014
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Easy to read, informative, interesting, a useful tool for evangelistic purposes, and most importantly, its inspiring. I admire the authors heart for making this book easy to read. I love it. And i believe that it is a book that many Christians's today must read. There are not many who realize how did the church get to where it is today;.
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