Recent Additions to the CGS Library – Fall 2025 Special Church History Edition

 The titles below have been added to the CGS Library and are now available for your reading pleasure. Many of the titles were added to support the current (and future) adult education course on the history of Christianity. They may be found on the new book shelf (top shelf of the book truck) or may already be found on the bookshelves. We use a modified form of the Dewey Decimal classification system by which the books are arranged. The numbers in bold following each title (e.g. 277.3082 Alb) are the Dewey numbers you can use to locate the books on the shelves. If you have any questions (What library?, What is a book truck?, How do I use the Dewey system?, etc.), your friendly librarian (that’s me, Paul) will be happy to help.

Coakley, John, and, Andrea Sterk. Readings in world Christian history. Orbis, 2004.
    270 Coak
   The selections here include texts that show how Christianity developed and was lived in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. These texts show Christian life beyond the confines of Byzantine and Western Christendom as Christians enter the Mongol and Chinese courts, struggle to cope with Islam, and continue to live in places such as Ethiopia and Egypt. 
Duncan, Lenny. Dear revolutionaries : a field guide for a world beyond the Church. Broadleaf Books, 2023.  261.83 Dun
  You may remember Lenny, an African American Lutheran pastor, was a guest speaker at CGS a few years ago to discuss his book, Dear Church (copy available in the CGS library).
  Dear Revolutionaries is a book for the community which is ready to rise up and build something new from the ashes. Casting a vision for a new spiritual future led by the people, Dear Revolutionaries offers a series of peace-building practices that will give readers the tools to build, guide, and care for spiritual community in a world beyond the church.
  "Fierce in both their criticism of America's institutions and their love for its people." --Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review
  "Duncan speaks loudly and clearly, cutting through the cacophonous noise of cheap love and cheap grace." --The Christian Century

Eusebius, Bishop of Caeseria.  Eusebius : the Church history. Translation and commentary by Paul Maier. Grand Rapids : Kregel, 1999.   270.1 Eus
  Eusebius's "Ecclesiastical History" (Greek: Ἐκκλησιαστικὴ Ἱστορία) is a 4th-century work that chronicles the history of the Christian church from its inception through the early         centuries of the Roman Empire. It is considered the first comprehensive narrative of Christian history and provides invaluable insights into the early church's development, key figures, and events. 
In summary, Eusebius's "Ecclesiastical History" is a crucial text for understanding early Christianity, its      challenges, and its growth within the Roman world. It remains a foundational work for historians and       theologians alike.
 “There is no book more important to understanding the early church history than Eusebius’ The Church history. And there is no edition more readable and engaging than this one” – Mark Galli, Christianity Today
Fugelsang, John.  Separation of Church and hate : a sane person’s guide to taking back the Bible from fundamentalists, fascists, and flock-fleecing frauds. N.Y. : Avid Reader Press, 2025.  220.61 Fug
  In the spirit of George Carlin and Christopher Hitchens, the son of a former Catholic nun and a Franciscan brother delivers a deeply irreverent and biblically correct takedown of far-right Christian hatred—a book for believers, atheists, agnostics, and anyone who’ll ever have to deal with a Christian nationalist.
Irvin, Dale. History of the world Christian movement. Orbis Books, 2001. 2 v.  V.1. Earliest Christianity To 1453 – v.2. Modern Christianity from 1454-1800.  270 Irv v.1,  270 Irv v.2
  Hands down, this is the most balanced, comprehensive survey of pre-Reformation church history yet published . . . . I have taught church history for a long time but I gained new insights from every chapter."-- George Harper, in Journal of Asian Mission
  “A lucid and informed account of the universal expansion of the Christian Churches...accessible without compromising intellectual integrity." -- Church Times
Janz, Debus. A people’s history of Christianity : from the early Church to the Reformation. Student ed. Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 2014.  270 Jan
  This volume contains careful selections and abridgements of the original content (7 volumes) organized to fit ideally into a course in Christian history. It provides a valuable overview on such topics as birth and death, baptism rites, food, power, heresy, and more. Students are both informed and inspired by seeing the importance of ordinary Christians in shaping Christianity across time.
LeGuin, Ursula.  Book of cats. New York : Library of America, 2025. 814.54 Cats
  I added this book to the CGS library for those who accuse me of not appreciating cats. Meow. Pssst!
  “The presence of a cat keeps me in touch with the mystery, the unreasonableness, the beauty, the stubborn wildness of the nonhuman world.” In her life as in her art, Ursula K. Le Guin was fascinated by the feline. This irresistable book about cats gathers poems, meditations, and drawings dedicated to the complicated creature that captured her imagination. Here are:
The Art of Bunditsu, Le Guin’s hard-to-find “tabbist” meditation on the arranging of cats.
26 cat poems, many illustrated by Le Guin herself.
The Historic First Issue! of Le Guin’s one-of-a-kind cat comic book, Supermouse Comix!
Cat Correspondence: letters between Le Guin’s cat and those of her daughter detailing the Five    Deliberations that cats spend their lives studying.
Cat Tai Chi, as depicted in a charming series of drawings.
 
Lund, Eric, ed. Documents from the history of Lutheranism, 1517-1750. Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 2002. 266.54 Lund
  This unique collection of excerpts from Lutheran historical and theological documents -- many translated here for the first time -- presents readers with a full picture of how the Lutheran movement developed in its thought and practice. Covering not only theology but also church life, popular piety, and influential historical events, the more than 200 primary documents excerpted here show not only the evolution and development of Lutheran doctrine but also its devotional writings, hymns, liturgical texts, letters and diaries, satire, political documents, woodcuts, and pamphlet literature
McLaren, Brian. A new kind of Christianity : ten questions that are transforming the faith. N,Y. : HarperOne, 2011.  270 McL
  [McLaren] has been hailed widely as one of the most significant religious leaders of our time, compared by some to the leaders of the Protestant Reformation….In articulating this longing and his disquiet with the status quo, McLaren strikes a chord with many — The Christian Century
  Christians must be unlocked from ‘a prison’ of long-held assumptions and have the freedom to ask honest questions, Brian McLaren indicates in his newest book, A New Kind of Christianity. He’s not advocating for a new set of beliefs, he says, but rather a ‘new way of believing.’” — The Christian Post
    A New Kind of Christianity is a stellar accomplishment, a combination of hard tack fact and unfettered hope, an overview in delightful narrative of the long way of our coming to this time and of the multiform ways of our arriving. In every way, a dispatch from the front — Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence
  Very rarely a book appears that houses the power to change a generation. A New Kind of Christianity is nothing less than one of those moments — Peter Rollins, Ikon
Moffett, Samuel. A history of Christianity in Asia. 2nd ed. Orbis Books, 1998. 2 v.  V.1. Beginnings to 1500 – v.2. 1500-1900.  275 Mof v.1, 275 Mof v.2
  The history of Christianity in the West has often been told, but the story of Christianity in the East has received scant attention. This Christianity looked neither to Rome nor Constantinople, and for centuries remained proudly Asian. Priests of the Church of the East -- later called the Nestorian -- established centers in Persia and Afghanistan, across India and the Mongolian steppes, and in China itself as early as the 7th century.
Pavlovitz, John. If God is Love, don’t be a jerk : finding a faith that makes us better humans. Louisville, KY : Westminster John Knox Press, 2021. 234.23 Pav
  “A sobering yet inspiring discourse for open-minded, thoughtful readers” – Library Journal 
  “[This book] calls us to create a more just and equitable world—one that affirm the beauty in all humanity—and leaves us feeling that it is all within our hands”--Yvette Nicole Brown
  “[The author’s] compassion, empathy, wisdom, and guts will remind you of what Jesus actually preached. This self-described theological ‘mutt’ is a pastor, prophet, poet, and a prince. John has given us a book of great insight and wit. It will remind you of what Christianity is supposed to be about”--John Fugelsang
Rorem, Paul. Singing Church history : Introducing the Christian story through hymn texts.  Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 2024.  246.5 Roer
  A brilliant idea brilliantly done! There is no book we can hold in our hand that contains as much history as a hymnal. The story of each hymn in its particularity can teach us moments in church history that, together, give us the entire sweep of the past from Miriam to Lina Sandell. A great treasure and resource for congregations. -- Gracia Grindal, professor emerita of rhetoric, Luther Seminary
  Rorem applies his deep knowledge of church history and theology to hymns, and the result is an engagingly written brief history of the subject. Intended for lay audiences, it would make a good college or seminary textbook. --Joseph Herl, professor of music, Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska
Wilken, Robert Louis. The first thousand years : a global history of Christianity. New Haven, Conn. : Yale University Press, 2013.  270 Wil
  The First Thousand Years is a remarkable achievement, above all for its consistent wisdom and judicious perspective both in particulars and overall. Title and subtitle capture its considerable chronological scope and its innovative geographical compass. Necessarily that range required selectivity and brevity, and it is the skill and judgment evident in that process that is so impressive, along with readability, clarity, and impressive scholarship.”--Frances Young, Journal of Religion
  [This book is] an up-to-date overview of the first millennium of Christian history. [Wilken’s] writing style makes it easy and interesting to read. . . . His emphasis on the spread of Christianity beyond the Roman empire shows that the gospel has had a global reach from the very beginning of the church's history. --Joel Otto, Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly



                                       Children’s and Young People’s books

Doerrfeld, Cori. The rabbit listened. N.Y. : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2018.
J [Fic] Doer
  “With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustrations, The rabbit listened is about healing heartaches big and small, and taking the time to listen”—book jacket.

Frolic Preschool Bible. Sparkhouse, 2017.  87 p. : illustrations  J 220.62 Fro
    Created for emerging readers, the Frolic Preschool Bible highlights 40 Bible stories, 20 from the Old Testament and 20 from the New Testament. The engaging, easy-to-read text and colorful, ethnically diverse illustrations invite beginner readers to learn more about stories and characters of the Bible.
Olson, Marc.  The world of the first Christians : a curious kid’s guide to the early church / by Marc Olson; illustrated by Jemima Maybank. Beaming Books, 2020.
  J 270.1 Ols
  The life and teachings of Jesus changed the world forever--but what happened after the events of the Gospels? How did Christianity grow from a small group of followers to one of the largest religious movements in human history? How did the first Christians survive in an oppressive Roman Empire? What did the early church believe, and how did they worship? Curious Kids' Guides present cool and surprising information about Christian history and beliefs in an entertaining, visually engaging way for kids.
Reisch, J. A. Frolic first Bible. Sparkhouse, 2016. 87 p. : illustrations [A board book]  J 220.62 Rei
  "Great for young kids because it tells the bare-bones version of Bible stories without delving into more difficult concepts. Each story also has a very simplistic truth application for the child. This book truly is a great introductory Bible storybook for little hearts. I also like that the Bible story depicts the biblical characters as Middle Eastern, rather than white - a far more accurate depiction." --KidzMatter
Sotomayor, Sonia. Just shine! : how to be a better you.  Philomel Books, 2025.
J [Fic] Sot
  "This is a timely reminder that a remarkable sense of community can emerge through ordinary means. Alcántara’s dreamy, ornate marker-and-gouache artwork emphasizes the beauty of kindness. A thoughtful primer on the transformative power of goodness." --Kirkus Reviews
Spark story Bible / stories retold by Patti Thisted Arthur…[et al.]. Sunday School ed. Sparkhouse, 2009. 555 p. : color illustrations
  J 220.62 Spa
  The award-winning Spark Story Bible opens up God's Word to kids through colorful art and rich retellings of 150 of the most popular Bible stories. The Bible uses creative language familiar to kids and features full-color, vibrant artwork. Designed for age 2 to grade 2.
Weaver, Katie. The trouble with children (according to Dog). Little Offbeat Publishing, 2024.  J [Fic] Wea
  The family dog has a LOT to get off his chest. Because, well, living with children can be...challenging. Between playing dress-up, being squeezed too tightly, and dirty toys in Dog's water bowl, this canine has had ENOUGH!! Will Dog find that there are sweet moments to be cherished amidst the chaos?
  “This humorous, lively dog's-eye view provides gentle instruction for interacting with pets” – Kirkus  Reviews (Starred Review).


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