Christ and His Church Through the Ages, Vol. 2: The Medieval Church (AD 590-1517)

FORTHCOMING TITLE, ETA MAY 2025

Medieval. Nowadays, this adjective is used to describe something antiquated, even cruel. In turn, many today see the Middle Ages as little more than a long period of decadence. This second volume of Christ and His Church Through the Ages shows us how history is more complicated than that.

It is true that the medieval age seems the most distressing age in the history of Christ’s church: the rise of the papacy, widespread false teachings and superstitions, the conquests of Islam, and countless battles and wars in the name of Christ. In this sense, these were the dark ages. But the medieval age is also the most fascinating age in the history of Christ’s church: the conversion of the barbarians, the Christianization of Europe, the blossoming of Christian education, the shining of many theological lights, and the laboring of pre-reformers such as John Wycliffe and Jan Hus. This was the age of faith.

Herman Hanko tells the story of how God, in his mysterious ways, made his church to be both a witness to the nations and the cradle of civilization and culture. Despite much apparent evidence to the contrary, God was preserving his church even in these strange and troubled times. Through it all, God was preparing the great Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century.

Through this and future volumes, students of church history and interested readers alike will surely grow in their love and appreciation for the saga of Christ’s church. They will find church history to be, as the author once affectionately described it, “the exciting adventure of the marvelous work of grace.”

304 pages.

"I thank my former professor for taking the time to write the book, and look forward to the release of the next three volumes. The [significant and time-consuming] contributions of the editor and reviser, Dan VanUffelen, are also commendable. The addition of introductory essays, biographical sketches, sidebars, charts, and pictures makes the book more enjoyable to read, and more suitable for a textbook. The addition of an index to the book is also welcome. The subject matter is precious. The matter is presented at a level that many can read. [Readers] will not only enjoy reading the book, but likely recommend it to others interested in the church’s history." - Doug Kuiper, the Standard Bearer

"Hanko writes with infectious enthusiasm for his subject, which is not dull history, but the history of the church, which, Hanko reminds us, is the center of history...For many of us the only church history we know well—and the only part in which we are interested—is the Reformation. That is a mistake, for ancient church history includes exciting and formative years, even centuries...VanUffelen, who edited and revised the work, has added helpful charts, maps, timelines, and illustrations, which greatly enhance the book. This is a great read and will appeal even to children...May the Lord use it for the edification especially of Christian youth in the schools, for the instruction of God’s people everywhere, and for his own glory! May it serve as a family history for the church of which all believers are members! I look forward to the next volumes." - Martyn McGeown, on the RFPA Blog

"I consider The Ancient Church to be the definitive history book on this period of church history for the Reformed school student. The Ancient Church reads like an adventure, which the history of the church is. Upon picking up such an 'exciting adventure of the marvelous work of grace,' who could put it down?...The great strength of The Ancient Church is the constant relating of the history of the church to Jesus Christ, whose church it is. This is what gives the volume its lasting value for the believer and his children’s children. The Ancient Church also gleams with scholarship that stands in the service of the believer...the copious charts, maps, pictures, and revisions for accuracy enhance the reader’s experience and fortify his understanding. [The book] appears perfectly suited to be a church history textbook for the high school level. The information is organized into chapters and subheadings that could be readily adapted into a lecture outline for a classroom...The same qualities that make The Ancient Church suited to be a school textbook make it suited to a very broad audience. The man who is weary from a long day of work and who finds it hard to stay awake with a book in the evening will find the material engaging and the subsections manageable. The reader who devours books will find this one to be a feast that he consumes and then returns to...Conclusion: highly recommended. May the companion volumes be on our doorsteps soon." - Andy Lanning, in Reformed Pavilion