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131 Christians Everyone Should Know
This book offers a succinct yet thorough introduction to 131 of the most intriguing, courageous, inspiring Christians who ever lived. It tells how they lived, what they believed, and how their faith affected the course of world history. Includes a timeline with a historical context for each individual, key quotes from or about each personality, and more than 60 photos.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
167 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
J.I. Packer
441 books911 followersWhat do J. I. Packer, Billy Graham and Richard John Neuhaus have in common? Each was recently named by TIME magazine as among the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations; the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
Dr. Packer, the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College, was hailed by TIME as “a doctrinal Solomon” among Protestants. “Mediating debates on everything from a particular Bible translation to the acceptability of free-flowing Pentecostal spirituality, Packer helps unify a community [evangelicalism] that could easily fall victim to its internal tensions.”
Knowing God, Dr. Packer’s seminal 1973 work, was lauded as a book which articulated shared beliefs for members of diverse denominations; the TIME profile quotes Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington as saying, “conservative Methodists and Presbyterians and Baptists could all look to [Knowing God] and say, ‘This sums it all up for us.’”
In a similar tribute to Dr. Packer almost ten years ago, American theologian Mark Noll wrote in Christianity Today that, “Packer’s ability to address immensely important subjects in crisp, succinct sentences is one of the reasons why, both as an author and speaker, he has played such an important role among American evangelicals for four decades.”
For over 25 years Regent College students have been privileged to study under Dr. Packer’s clear and lucid teaching, and our faculty, staff and students celebrate the international recognition he rightly receives as a leading Christian thinker and teacher.
(https://www.regent-college.edu/facult...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 2, 2012
131 Christians Everyone Should Know
I was really looking forward to reading this book which consists of 131 mini-biographies of famous Christians throughout Church History. In retrospect I suppose I was hoping for more than the book had to offer, because I ended up fairly disappointed.
The preface to the book states that the short 2-pageish bios are intended to be a first step on the road to getting to know and study some of these famous men and women in more depth. Unfortunately, if this is the stated goal, it fails. There are no resources, footnotes, or pointers as to where to go for more info. It would seem that, having done the research, the editors could at least have listed a single good biography at the end of each profile for further study. As it is, all the reader gets is a short, unfootnoted glimpse into a person’s life.
Another problem with the lack of footnotes is that there were some “facts” in the book which I knew to be untrue. The very first sentence in the book which begins the bio of St. Athanasius says that his enemies referred to him as “the black dwarf.” While his short stature was mocked in one or two sources, I happen to know that it was Justo Gonzalez in a 1984 Church History book who coined the term “black dwarf”. It was never used by his enemies in ancient times. Likewise I caught a faux-quotation in the section on Erasmus, and an error on Dante. If I, who am by no means the most educated person in the world, can find these few errors, how many might there be that I didn’t catch? The answer is that I can’t know because the authors didn’t include footnotes or references that I can check out. This lack of sources for further study prevents the reader from being able to check up on the authors and prevents the reader from having any direction for further study.
Finally, the book is arranged according to category. Theologians occupy one section, Movers and Shakers another, Martyrs yet another, etc. In my opinion, it would make more sense to have arranged the book chronologically. There were times near the end of the book when I would run across a person from the early centuries of Christianity and have to trek back through the book to find his or her contemporaries. How much better it would have been to have the entire book arranged like a timeline and have the individual categories as a tab at the top of each bio.
For these reasons, I can’t recommend this book as a good source for information about Church History. It may be nice for casual reading, but it’s not a good jumping off point for teachers or students as the preface claims.
2/5 stars.
I was really looking forward to reading this book which consists of 131 mini-biographies of famous Christians throughout Church History. In retrospect I suppose I was hoping for more than the book had to offer, because I ended up fairly disappointed.
The preface to the book states that the short 2-pageish bios are intended to be a first step on the road to getting to know and study some of these famous men and women in more depth. Unfortunately, if this is the stated goal, it fails. There are no resources, footnotes, or pointers as to where to go for more info. It would seem that, having done the research, the editors could at least have listed a single good biography at the end of each profile for further study. As it is, all the reader gets is a short, unfootnoted glimpse into a person’s life.
Another problem with the lack of footnotes is that there were some “facts” in the book which I knew to be untrue. The very first sentence in the book which begins the bio of St. Athanasius says that his enemies referred to him as “the black dwarf.” While his short stature was mocked in one or two sources, I happen to know that it was Justo Gonzalez in a 1984 Church History book who coined the term “black dwarf”. It was never used by his enemies in ancient times. Likewise I caught a faux-quotation in the section on Erasmus, and an error on Dante. If I, who am by no means the most educated person in the world, can find these few errors, how many might there be that I didn’t catch? The answer is that I can’t know because the authors didn’t include footnotes or references that I can check out. This lack of sources for further study prevents the reader from being able to check up on the authors and prevents the reader from having any direction for further study.
Finally, the book is arranged according to category. Theologians occupy one section, Movers and Shakers another, Martyrs yet another, etc. In my opinion, it would make more sense to have arranged the book chronologically. There were times near the end of the book when I would run across a person from the early centuries of Christianity and have to trek back through the book to find his or her contemporaries. How much better it would have been to have the entire book arranged like a timeline and have the individual categories as a tab at the top of each bio.
For these reasons, I can’t recommend this book as a good source for information about Church History. It may be nice for casual reading, but it’s not a good jumping off point for teachers or students as the preface claims.
2/5 stars.
October 30, 2011
Theologians, Evangelists, Apologists, Pastors and Preachers, Musicians, Artists, Writers,Poets, Denominational Founders, Movers, Shakers, Missionaries, Inner Travelers, Activists, Rulers, Scholars and Scientists, Martyrs --- quite a group. Inspiring to read their stories and how God used their lives and their courage to stand their ground and mostly finish well.
J.I. Packer has said this about the book:
When Henry Ford declared that history is bunk, he no doubt thought he was uttering wisdom. But his dictum is a classic instance of—well, bunk, and bunk in its purest form. Both the processes and the characters of history have a vast amount to teach us; studying them matures our judgment and frees us from blind submission to present-day prejudices. It has often been said, if we will not learn from history, we sentence ourselves to repeat its mistakes. This is supremely true of Christian history, which shows us the conflict of God’s Word with the world, in and through the lives of his servants, and sets before us the possibilities of living for God that had never before entered our minds.
Readers of the excellent journal, Christian History, of which Mark Galli and Ted Olsen have been editors, will know exactly what I mean when I say that, and non-readers of the journal who read the present volume will soon find out. There is not a dull line in this book; its well-chosen 131 characters come vividly to life, as our brothers and sisters in Christ; and learning the lesson of their careers is as pleasant a task as chewing candy. If you like the thought of history with edification, and without tears, this is certainly a book for you. Its authors have served you well.
J.I. Packer
Regent College
Vancouver
Galli, M., & Olsen, T. (2000). 131 Christians everyone should know (xi). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
J.I. Packer has said this about the book:
When Henry Ford declared that history is bunk, he no doubt thought he was uttering wisdom. But his dictum is a classic instance of—well, bunk, and bunk in its purest form. Both the processes and the characters of history have a vast amount to teach us; studying them matures our judgment and frees us from blind submission to present-day prejudices. It has often been said, if we will not learn from history, we sentence ourselves to repeat its mistakes. This is supremely true of Christian history, which shows us the conflict of God’s Word with the world, in and through the lives of his servants, and sets before us the possibilities of living for God that had never before entered our minds.
Readers of the excellent journal, Christian History, of which Mark Galli and Ted Olsen have been editors, will know exactly what I mean when I say that, and non-readers of the journal who read the present volume will soon find out. There is not a dull line in this book; its well-chosen 131 characters come vividly to life, as our brothers and sisters in Christ; and learning the lesson of their careers is as pleasant a task as chewing candy. If you like the thought of history with edification, and without tears, this is certainly a book for you. Its authors have served you well.
J.I. Packer
Regent College
Vancouver
Galli, M., & Olsen, T. (2000). 131 Christians everyone should know (xi). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
May 21, 2021
Mark Galli does an incredible job of summarizing the lives of 131 amazing and inspiring Christians. It is also a tour through church history which is great. This book is comparable to "Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians" by Lawson, except it doesn't focus on conversion experiences. It gives quick 1-2 page biographies of the Christians. It will be a reference point for me in the future when I want to learn quickly what one of these influential Christian men and women did for the church and the world.
January 27, 2016
A brief but fascinating foray into the lives of influential Christians throughout history. 131 Christians Everyone Should Know lacks the dryness that I expected, and is instead filled with interesting details about the people featured and their influence on Christianity, as well as on society.
Some of these Christians were great, others were barely acknowledged in their time. All were flawed, yet in spite of their flaws, and at times because of them, they left a legacy that lingers to today.
The Christians featured in this book include theologians, poets, musicians, martyrs and missionaries. Only 15 of them were women, which I personally found sad. But given the limited sphere of influence women have historically held, I guess this is understandable. I have on my shelves another book featuring 10 Christian women. It will be interesting to compare the two books.
Some of these Christians were great, others were barely acknowledged in their time. All were flawed, yet in spite of their flaws, and at times because of them, they left a legacy that lingers to today.
The Christians featured in this book include theologians, poets, musicians, martyrs and missionaries. Only 15 of them were women, which I personally found sad. But given the limited sphere of influence women have historically held, I guess this is understandable. I have on my shelves another book featuring 10 Christian women. It will be interesting to compare the two books.
July 22, 2020
Recunosc că nu am citit toată cartea; mai degrabă am răsfoit-o și am citit despre ceea ce mă interesa. Este o carte la care cu siguranță voi apela și pe care oricând o poți lua din bibliotecă și poți citi câteva pagini.
July 20, 2017
2017 Reading Challenge
- Book 31: A book about church history
There is a lot to like about this book. The short (2-3 pages each) biographies of so many different people makes each entry a quick easy read... pretty much an ideal "bathroom book". The timeline in the front of the book helps to place each historical figure in context. I learned a lot of interesting facts about some of the more obscure figures, and even a few new things about some men and women about whom I've read and studied much before. But that also leads to the book's weaknesses. It sometimes makes me nervous to "learn" new things about people I've studied before, particularly when nothing in the book has citations which would allow me to verify and learn more about those things which most interested me. Still, despite some shortcomings, this book will be a good reference book and introduction to history, and will come in handy in the homeschooling of our children, particularly as the Classical Conversations method which we use is so heavily dependent on timelines. It's no substitute for more scholarly and detailed works of Christian history, but is a great introductory book.
There is a lot to like about this book. The short (2-3 pages each) biographies of so many different people makes each entry a quick easy read... pretty much an ideal "bathroom book". The timeline in the front of the book helps to place each historical figure in context. I learned a lot of interesting facts about some of the more obscure figures, and even a few new things about some men and women about whom I've read and studied much before. But that also leads to the book's weaknesses. It sometimes makes me nervous to "learn" new things about people I've studied before, particularly when nothing in the book has citations which would allow me to verify and learn more about those things which most interested me. Still, despite some shortcomings, this book will be a good reference book and introduction to history, and will come in handy in the homeschooling of our children, particularly as the Classical Conversations method which we use is so heavily dependent on timelines. It's no substitute for more scholarly and detailed works of Christian history, but is a great introductory book.
July 7, 2025
Great introductions to great Christians.
June 2, 2022
Short bios of familiar and unfamiliar figures. A sweeping view of (mostly) men and women throughout history. Prompted me, on occasion, to investigate further. I'll probably forget most of the details, but it was an interesting chapter-by-chapter read during my daily devotions.
September 30, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed having this as a part of my daily devotional time.
Whilst there are several entries that surprised me, it is never easy to make a selection like this. I did like how they "grouped" the people, which allowed you to compare in a sense "similar" people. One could argue that many of the choices have controversial issues in their background, but I found the Authors did a good job of emphasising the positive aspects without overstating them - nor did they hide the controversy.
It is good, as Christians, to learn a bit about those who have gone before us - even if we don't agree with them :)
This is also a good way to develop an interest in Church History. If there are individuals that intrigue you, then go find out more about them!
Whilst there are several entries that surprised me, it is never easy to make a selection like this. I did like how they "grouped" the people, which allowed you to compare in a sense "similar" people. One could argue that many of the choices have controversial issues in their background, but I found the Authors did a good job of emphasising the positive aspects without overstating them - nor did they hide the controversy.
It is good, as Christians, to learn a bit about those who have gone before us - even if we don't agree with them :)
This is also a good way to develop an interest in Church History. If there are individuals that intrigue you, then go find out more about them!
September 16, 2016
Good summaries but an uncomfortable approach to these characters. Certainly those listed shaped Christian thought but some were outright extremists and even propagated heresy. The response to this dichotomy between truth and error by the authors is very lukewarm
January 13, 2025
I like the organization of this book. It is organized by type of leader that each person featured was. He featured 10 in each category: theologians; evangelists and apologists; pastors and preachers; musicians, artists, and writers; poets; denominational founders; movers and shakers; missionaries; inner travelers; activists; rulers; scholars and scientists; martyrs. At the beginning of each chapter about one of the Christians that they selected there was a timeline showing the period of history in which that person lived. I like that as well. There was so much information packed into each one of these short stories that the reading got a little tedious at times, but I’m very glad I read the book.
July 2, 2025
I Agree with the Title
It was a very interesting and quick, get to know you collection of short biographies of a very diverse (I hate using that word) group of individuals who have made contributions to the Christianity we know today. Most I was at least aware of by name, but in a few short pages was made aware of their impact as persons of faith. The book would be a great place to find persons about whom to research or read longer biographies.
It was a very interesting and quick, get to know you collection of short biographies of a very diverse (I hate using that word) group of individuals who have made contributions to the Christianity we know today. Most I was at least aware of by name, but in a few short pages was made aware of their impact as persons of faith. The book would be a great place to find persons about whom to research or read longer biographies.
December 23, 2019
I feel this book deserves a different title.
Consider "131 people who shaped church history". Some of the people in here were radically opposed to the teachings of Christianity in a biblical sense.
The authors, however, do an amazing job in writing well, describing well, and showing that these people has faults even if they were praised for good things.
Consider "131 people who shaped church history". Some of the people in here were radically opposed to the teachings of Christianity in a biblical sense.
The authors, however, do an amazing job in writing well, describing well, and showing that these people has faults even if they were praised for good things.
April 6, 2020
This book features 2-3 page biographies of men and women who have impacted the Christian faith through the centuries. It covers not only martyrs and theologians, but also writers, scientists and musicians. This is a book I would pick up and read a little at a time to learn about interesting people, and from what I read, I plan to pick up full biographies on those that really intrigued me.
November 26, 2024
I read an entry or two each night as a wind-down devotional for the day. It's meant to be fun and encouraging, and it accomplished that. I was impressed with the breadth of the Christians covered, though the authors may have been a bit more charitable to some of them than I would have - and even that was a little humbling. 1st time read. 4/5.
April 7, 2025
I loved this book so much. It is easy to read because the chapters are a quick 2-3 page overview of each person's life. My faith was encouraged by great stories of faith and I got a realistic view of the failures of Christians from centuries past. I want to read these stories to my children one day.
December 11, 2019
I downloaded this for my Kindle and in my Wordsearch library to use as daily entries. Generally, the Christian writing community doesn't have a problem as long as I am not profiting from the usage. That said, I also tagged each post with the source and added extra graphics.
November 30, 2017
Would have liked a little more info in each person because some of them i think were a stretch as "must know" person. Still not sure how I want to use this at work.
April 26, 2019
Excellent read! Encouraging to your faith.
Read
April 16, 2020I mostly grabbed this one to have a third resource for a final paper. Good academic book.
Read
June 9, 2022Fairly easy reading and great motivation to keep pressing on!
July 22, 2025
Solid intro to a lot of significant Christians
June 3, 2016
131 Christians is a very well written, and well chosen collection of Christian biographies. There was a huge range of noteworthy people in this book, including Augustine, C.S. Lewis, John Calvin, Billy Graham, Rembrandt, Dorothy Sayers, Copernicus, Harriet Tubman, and 124 other equally diverse folks...This book ultimately points to the creativity of God in the way that he uses people.
A pattern that emerges in this book is that God can make use of our suffering, and even our sin. For example, Fyodor Dostoyevsky was abused by his father, was a political prisoner, an epileptic, and addicted to gambling. But his writing reflects the love of Jesus and the reward of living for others. The pure love expressed in his books have influenced many people (including me!). Other folks had questionable motives, or completely immoral motives (Henry VIII, anyone?). God can make use of any willing soul—which is fortunate because we are all sinful.
One complaint: I wish that the biographies were in chronological order, and not organized into categories. It made it difficult to follow gradual shifts in collective theology, like the decrease in visions and dreams (were they real visions to begin with? Are we all just too skeptical for our own good nowadays?)
I appreciated that the biographies are written without judgment. The narratives are presented as they are, and you are left to judge for yourself. I have a firmer grasp of where my understanding of Christianity originates, and where other folks' understanding has split from my own.
A pattern that emerges in this book is that God can make use of our suffering, and even our sin. For example, Fyodor Dostoyevsky was abused by his father, was a political prisoner, an epileptic, and addicted to gambling. But his writing reflects the love of Jesus and the reward of living for others. The pure love expressed in his books have influenced many people (including me!). Other folks had questionable motives, or completely immoral motives (Henry VIII, anyone?). God can make use of any willing soul—which is fortunate because we are all sinful.
One complaint: I wish that the biographies were in chronological order, and not organized into categories. It made it difficult to follow gradual shifts in collective theology, like the decrease in visions and dreams (were they real visions to begin with? Are we all just too skeptical for our own good nowadays?)
I appreciated that the biographies are written without judgment. The narratives are presented as they are, and you are left to judge for yourself. I have a firmer grasp of where my understanding of Christianity originates, and where other folks' understanding has split from my own.
July 11, 2015
Great collection of short biographies. The title is correct, these are names of people who have shaped the world as we know it and should be known as a matter of cultural literacy at a minimum. The author admits that some might be considered 'Christian' in name only (e.g. Henry VIII), and certainly, everyone will have their list of omissions, but this is still a great starting place.
This is not in depth--the longest biography is just 4 pages and some are barely a full page, but these are the people that you hear of in history and have earned their place there.
Read it for what it is--a brief introduction to some of the greatest names of Christendom, and let it whet your appetite for deeper birgraphies of these people or for more breadth of great Christians.
This is not in depth--the longest biography is just 4 pages and some are barely a full page, but these are the people that you hear of in history and have earned their place there.
Read it for what it is--a brief introduction to some of the greatest names of Christendom, and let it whet your appetite for deeper birgraphies of these people or for more breadth of great Christians.
July 3, 2010
I try to read about 3 to 4 people a week. It started out as 1/day but was crowded out by more enjoyable reading. I have learned a lot about different giants of faith. There are a lot more that could have been added. Some of the ones added that are flighty I wished they would have substituted for more weighty folk. It is a good little primer for history. I was able to use it to make a list of good read from orginal authors - Mostly church father types.
February 20, 2011
Such an excellent book. It really helps in giving you a peek into history to see what Christians were doing and how they were being persecuted during their time. Most of the persecution was from the church in power and so many stepped out on their own conviction against the powers of that time because they actually cared what the Bible said and not how they could use the Bible to get into power. This book really highlights how far we've come from the convictions of these Christians.
November 11, 2011
Its really a great book to read thru during devotions. Its encouraging and passionate to read how people in the past have been effected by Christ. People have been the same and share the same qualities no matter the time period. Its really cool to read about them all together. Every struggle and triumph God gave them. They were used to pave ways that changed things for the better. They were the impacts.
January 7, 2012
A great book that reminds us of the Christians who have walked this life before us. The human condition does not change and it is encouraging to read about christians who follow and were provided for by Jesus as He doesn't change either. A diverse group who showed their love for Jesus in different ways. I will be using this as a resource for my class devotions this year. I teach at an independent Christian high school.
January 19, 2011
This is a very helpful book, as it gives a brief 2-3 page summary of 131 significant Christians throughout history. I have found it helpful for adding both facts and color to my introduction of many of these people in the course I teach at Rockhurst University.
I highly recommend this book for the general reader as well as for college (or high school) students and their teachers.
I highly recommend this book for the general reader as well as for college (or high school) students and their teachers.
April 6, 2015
An excellent precis of important figures in Christianity since the time of Jesus. While some might argue others ought to be on the list, I found this book very informative and enjoyable to read. The authors did not paint these characters as saints but as real people with flaws and challenges but who rose to make a difference. Very well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews