Did you know that before clocks became common, many European churches placed an hourglass at the front of the sanctuary to time the sermon? Or that the second-century church read from a book that was supposedly authored by the apostle Peter but was later rejected as forgery? These are two of the many revealing facts in 1,001 Surprising Things You Should Know about Christianity. This lively and accessible introduction to church history and other topics is comprised of excerpts, quotations, and detailed descriptions of things that make up Christendom. Little-known facts are presented alongside engaging explanations of the well-known aspects of Christianity. These often-humorous tidbits cover culture, people, sayings, creeds and debates, churches, art and music, crusades, revivals, and more. Citations are long enough to fully explain matters but short enough for busy readers to enjoy. Drawings and black-and-white photographs complement the text. 1,001 Surprising Things You Should Know about Christianity is designed for everyone who enjoys history, theology, and interesting facts about the faith. It is an excellent impulse purchase that can be shared with families, classrooms, and Bible study groups--or simply perused for the fun of it!