Book Review: Christian History, Volumes 1 & 2
Steven A. McKinion and Benjamin T. Quinn, Christian History, Volume 1: From the Apostolic Fathers to the Eve of the Reformation. B&H Academic, 2026. 448 pp.
Thomas S. Kidd, Christian History, Volume 2: From the Reformation to the Present. B&H Academic, 2026. 480 pp.
Sponsored
Having taught Church history for over a decade at the high school, undergraduate, and seminary levels, I find it rare to find a work that has both comprehensive depth and ease of readability. Often, I find that a book is either geared toward the absolute novice, skimming over the nuances of church history, or a deep dive. Christian History by Steven McKinion, Benjamin Quinn (both Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary), and Thomas Kidd (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is perhaps the best of both worlds: it is written by scholars, covers important historical nuances, but is written in simple prose with accessible chapter lengths. The interested scholar will find it covers the basic scope well, and the layman will be able to get a decent overview of Church history even if they don’t have much of a background in the subject.
Baptist, yet Surprisingly Anglican
It is worth noting, on the front end, the presuppositions inherent in this work. The books are published by three Baptists teaching at Baptist seminaries and by B&H Academic, the academic publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. The authors do not try to hide their positions, and their theological views show up in the work from time to time.
At the same time, the authors approach the work in a very ecumenical tone, acknowledging the complicated nature of history. Anglicans should not worry that this work will come off as an apology for Baptist theology, and I find it could easily fit into a parish study of some kind.
For example, Volume 1 begins by noting that Christianity is really a “Great Tradition” rooted in the Scriptures, Christ, the historic Liturgy of the Church, and Christian moral ethics. They then go on to note the influence of the Didache, St. Clement, St. Ignatius, and St. Polycarp. The chapters are rich with references to St. Justin and Origen. The authors even go so far as to admit that, post-Ignatius, the threefold office of bishop, presbyter, and deacon predominated the church for 1500 years. The only quibble they make is to drop a citation suggesting that while Paul intended the twofold office of elder and deacon, Ignatius applies the different terms (episkopos and presbyteros) to end up with a threefold distinction.
What about the English Reformation?
In short, the authors acknowledge the Great Tradition, the importance of intentional liturgy, the centrality of the Apostolic Fathers, and the normativity of the threefold office. While the authors note disagreement with certain beliefs, they also acknowledge the Reformation’s deep roots in Scripture and the traditions of the Church. Scripture is primary, but we should also be informed and rooted in the historic tradition.
In Volume 2, Thomas Kidd is equally charitable to the English/British streams of the Reformation. For the most part, Kidd discusses “The Reformation” as a unified event, but does devote individual chapters to examining the Continental, British, and German streams. In the chapter on the British Reformation, Kidd not only stresses the “reformed” nature of the British churches but also the complexities of the Reformation in Britain.
Kidd stresses the importance and controversy over the Book of Common Prayer, the complex and often convoluted nature of the debates between the Conformists and the Puritans, the odd Protestant-Catholic history of the Church of England, and the outsized contributions that the King James Version of the Bible made to the English-speaking Christian world. Subsequent chapters examine the continued, often tense relationship between British Reformational religion and the corresponding politics.
Throughout the chapters on the Reformation, Kidd delves into the complexities of the British Reformation and highlights its benefits. Most English-speaking Protestants, whether Anglican, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Methodist, or Baptist, can trace their ecclesial lineage to this era. Kidd celebrates the unique contributions of the British Reformation without shying away from the era’s difficulties.
In sum, both volumes give a fair and balanced look at English (read: Anglican) Christianity. Our tradition has a complicated history, and the authors of these books, while not focused on Anglicanism, note much that Anglican readers can both agree with and benefit from.
Evangelically Focused
An important note, especially in Anglican circles, is that these books are written from a distinctly Evangelical perspective. Given the Southern Baptist predilections of the authors, you won’t find a particularly Anglo-Catholic-friendly interpretation of history, the sacraments, the church, or Christian mission. This is not to say that Anglo-Catholic readers won’t gain something, but these books will likely have a greater impact on those of Reformed and/or Evangelical persuasion.
Given this Evangelical focus, Volume 2 leans in a more Baptist(ic) direction. There is a greater focus on evangelism, mission, and Global Christianity. The understanding of salvation tends to be Southern Baptist and conversionist in its framing, though neither volume goes so far as to frame this as the only perspective.
This said, Anglicans can appreciate many of these foci. Anglicans can relish participation in global missions; we are, after all, a global communion! Evangelism and mission are also areas in which we can rejoice. Though we may not understand these things exactly as Baptists do, we can still look forward to the day that “the knowledge of the glory of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).
A Superb Introductory History
Christian History offers a superb introduction to Christian history. The two volumes present their material honestly and accessibly without losing depth. The Great Tradition focus broadens the scope so that these works are useful in a variety of traditions, not simply SBC churches. While the books do have a Baptist flavor, the authors do not frame all of Christianity as Baptist. I think any reader will find these books a worthwhile use of time, and they will enrich that reader’s understanding of Christian history. Similarly, I envision these works as valuable resources in a high school classroom, a college course, a seminary, or even a catechesis class or an ongoing adult education course. A pastor not well-versed in history could easily benefit from this curriculum and lead parishioners through it without feeling overwhelmed.
All in all, it is refreshing to see more broadly-focused works in church history published with ordinary people and students in mind. For too long, Bruce Shelley’s Church History in Plain Language has stood as a lonely resource in this space. In another exciting turn, Crossway is now developing a series on Church History for Everyone, with the first volume set to publish in October.
It is encouraging to see Christian publishers taking the need for accessible histories of the faith seriously. The church shouldn’t leave its own story for outsiders to tell, especially those more inclined to dwell on the scandalous rather than to present the full picture. Maybe someone in the Anglican Church in North America or the Global Anglican Communion needs to get cracking on Anglican History for Normal People?
Image: Christian History, Volume 1, © 2026 B&H Academic.
The Five American Prayer Books: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Neither the ACNA nor the Book of Common Prayer in our hands today is a present-day import from England. Our Prayer Book, like our Church, has been a native, naturalized inhabitant since 1789.
Book Review: Maiden, Mother and Queen by Roger Greenacre
Maiden, Mother, & Queen: Mary in the Anglican Tradition is an editorial compilation of works and homilies by the Rev. Canon Dr. Roger Greenacre (1931–2011), a leading Anglican ecumenist and liturgical scholar.
